According to the Alabama Forestry Commission, the Champion Tree program, which is modeled after the American Forests' Big Tree program, honors the largest tree of each species in Alabama.
A water oak tree at Anniston Army Depot was recently nominated as a Champion Tree for the state of Alabama. Though it wasn't chosen as the champion, the Directorate of Public Works is considering placing a marker, recognizing its size, near the base of the tree.
The ANAD water oak, located near the Powertrain Flexible Maintenance Facility, measures 280 inches in circumference, 60 feet in height and has 100 feet of average crown spread, giving it a Champion Tree point score of 365. The water oak chosen to be a 2015 Champion Tree for the state of Alabama measures 256 inches in circumference, 96 feet in height and has 136 feet of average crown spread, giving it a point score of 386.
The ANAD water oak missed becoming a Champion Tree by 21 points.
Alabama's Champion Tree program began in 1970. That year, 28 trees were identified. In 2014, there were 146 listed.
The AFC uses a formula developed by American Forests to set a tree's total point score. It is calculated as follows: one point for each inch of circumference, plus one point for each foot of height, plus one point for each four feet of the average crown spread.
The complete list of Champion Trees for the Alabama Forestry Association may be viewed at: http://www.forestry.alabama.gov/ChampionTreeProgram.aspx?bv=5967d39945adf77ed62f295acfdd738e53cecfc55e540fa008c9f9a9d03441b43196deb140749fb0456c3fba42d811de36203124b6978a9a7969f860cbc2c2db0s=1.
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