In Search of Geauga’s Biggest Sugar Maple
The Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is currently seeking nominations for the Geauga County Big Tree Contest. The voluntary contest promotes the beauty…
The Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is currently seeking nominations for the Geauga County Big Tree Contest.
The voluntary contest promotes the beauty and benefits provided by the county’s biggest and oldest trees, along with their contributions to clean water and healthy soil.
The 2016 featured tree species is the sugar maple (Acer saccharum), honoring its ongoing significance to Geauga County’s maple sugar production industry.
Participants will submit a nomination for a sugar maple tree that they believe might be the largest in the county. After all nominations are submitted, qualified personnel will verify the measurements using ODNR Division of Forestry’s Big Tree Program procedures.
Each tree will receive a score based on trunk circumference, crown spread and total height to determine the winner. Other factors considered include the ability to capture storm water along with other economical benefits.
Guidelines include:
• Nominated trees must be sugar maples located in Geauga County.
• Only one nomination per individual tree. The first nomination received will be entered into the contest.
• The tree does not have to be on the property of the nominator; however, permission from the landowner must be obtained prior to nomination.
• Nominations must be submitted to Geauga SWCD no later than 3:30 p.m. Sept. 23.
Email to gprunty@geaugaswcd.com or submit in person or through the mail to the Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District, PO Box 410, 14269 Claridon-Troy Road, Burton, OH 44021.
Geauga County’s Big Tree will be recognized at the district’s annual meeting in the fall.
For more information or a nomination form, contact Geauga SWCD at 440-834-1122 or visit geaugaswcd.com.
