About five years ago I wrote a column about Minnesota’s Native Big Tree Registry. Since that time I’ve been informed by readers about several large trees in the local area. My personal observations of several of these giants, especially in the northeast part of Albert Lea, indicates that there should be an update regarding the big tree topic. Is there an area candidate for big tree honors?

The state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) started the Big Tree Hunt in 1962. Their goal was to locate and identify the largest of the native trees. Trees introduced from other regions, such as the sycamore or tulip tree, don’t count.

A point system is used to determine the largest tree. Anyone in the state can nominate a candidate for this continuing search and competition for the big tree honors. Here’s the procedure to be used.

First, contact Meg Hanisch, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul MN 55155-4044, or call 1(888) 646-6367 toll free. The DNR will send literature which explains more about the following points, plus a list of champion trees, several species which still need champions, and an application or nomination form.

Second, measure the circumference of the tree in inches around the trunk at four and a half feet above the ground.

Third, determine the height of the tree in feet. There’s a mathematical way to do this.

Fourth, measure the diameter or width of the tree’s crown to the nearest foot. There’s also a way to do this, according to a DNR publication.

Fifth, determine exactly what the tree’s species is. Good sources for this information are a nursery firm the county extension service, or an agriculture or botany teacher. This is very important. At the present time the DNR lists seven species of oak, five each of ash and maple, and three each of birch, elm and pine.

A portion of the literature sent to me by Hanisch says:

&uot;Everyone is invited to join the search for Minnesota’s champion big trees. There are many unreported giants just waiting to be found. To nominate a champion big tree, just fill out the application form. Your nomination must be one of the tree species listed in the registry. All categories of information must be completed for your application form to be accepted. Local federal, state, county, or city foresters can help you verify your tree’s species and measurements. Try a local nursery or tree care company for help, too. You will be notified in writing within four weeks of receiving your application if your tree is the new champion. Nominated trees that do not surpass the recorded champion are filed as &uot;contenders.&uot; When a champion falls, the largest contender of that tree species on file becomes the new champion. Nominations are accepted year-round but an updated big tree list is printed once-a-year in the fall.&uot;

Two of the state’s largest trees are in Owatonna. One is a white ash in Forest Hills Cemetery. The second is a white oak in one of Owatonna’s city parks.

The state tree with the most points and the largest of the champions is an eastern cottonwood located somewhere between New Ulm and Mankato near the town of Nicollet. It’s trunk’s circumference is 344 inches or nearly 29 feet.

It could be a real challenge to see if there are any overlooked big trees in Albert Lea, Freeborn County, or the nearby counties which will measure up as contenders for Minnesota’s big tree honors.

Let’s close off this column with what the DNR folks call a fun fact:

&uot;The Norway pine, Minnesota’s state tree, has nothing to do with Norway -in fact, in most places this species is called the red pine. It may have been given its ‘Minnesota’ name by English settlers who thought it resembled the Norwegian scotch pine. Others speculate that it took its name from the town of Norway, Maine, another locale where red pine was observed by early settlers.&uot;

(Tribune feature writer Ed Shannon’s column appears Fridays in the Tribune.)