Michigan Big Tree Program Noah Sawyer next to the State Champion Eastern White Pine - Pinus strobus - Luce County - Click to watch us climb this tree.
For the past 65 years, the Michigan Botanical Club has maintained a scientific register of the largest trees of each species in the State of Michigan. Paul Thompson began this work and over the course of his 45 year tenure as Big Tree Coordinator, he personally measured and documented over 4000 trees. Paul was a visionary in this field. and our register is one of the oldest in the nation. Upon Paul's passing, Dr. Elwood "Woody" Ehrle became the new coordinator. Woody spent the first two years diligently sorting and organizing Paul's notes and records, and it was under his guidance that the first official register was published. In 2008 Andy Sawyer was appointed the Big Tree Coordinator.
The Michigan Big Tree register is important for several reasons. First it is a vital record of a precious natural resource. These trees are typically the oldest of their type, and therefore their genetic material is also the oldest and may play a critical role in species preservation. These trees are also growing at the physiological limit for their species, and if global climate change is occurring these trees will likely be the first to be affected. The register is also important because humans have always enjoyed a close relationship with trees. Many of us had a favorite tree from our childhood, a tree that provided shade, adventure, inspiration, or recreation. Trees have also been central to our history and our faith. Consider the metaphors of the "Tree of Life", "Our Family Tree", or "Our Roots", or the role that council trees and trail marker trees have played in our history. The register stands as a record of grand examples of these historically, spiritually, and personally important trees.
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