North Dakota Crowned New Champion Trees

By Scout Nelson

North Dakota Forest Service announced the addition of thirteen new champion trees and two new second-place champions to the North Dakota Register of Champion Trees for 2025. The program encourages public interest in forestry while helping protect important tree species for future generations.

The official register tracks the largest trees of each species across the state. Trees receive points based on trunk circumference, height, and crown spread using standards developed through the National Champion Tree Program. The tree with the highest total points becomes the champion for its species.

Several newly recognized trees are located in Fargo, Bismarck, Medora, Hatton, and Anamoose. New champion trees include Amur chokecherry, balsam poplar, lanceleaf cottonwood, black locust, black walnut, boxelder, eastern red cedar, Mayday tree, Miyabe maple, red maple, river birch, Spring Snow crabapple, and swamp white oak.

One of the largest additions was a lanceleaf cottonwood located near Medora that earned 261.8 total points. Another large champion was a boxelder tree at Edgewood Golf Course in Fargo with 224.6 points. Many nominations came from local residents and forestry supporters, including Jakob Van Berkom, Grace Ivesdal, Sam DeMarais, and several others.

The registry also added new second-place champion trees for white ash and eastern red cedar. Officials said many champion trees on public property can be visited by the public, but visitors should request permission before entering private property.

The Champion Tree Program remains managed by the North Dakota State University North Dakota Forest Service and follows standards connected to the national forestry program now associated with the University of Tennessee Knoxville School of Natural Resources.

Officials said the program continues helping residents appreciate the value of preserving healthy trees, promoting conservation efforts, and supporting public education about North Dakota forestry resources.

To obtain a copy of the Register or information on how to nominate a champion, contact beth.hill@ndsu.edu.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-paul-hartley