Sugar Maple, Weeping Willow and Eastern White Pine.
These were three of the biggest trees found during Michigan's 2025 Big Tree Hunt, organized by ReLeaf Michigan, a nonprofit organization that has been hosting big tree hunts since 1993.
The Sugar Maple Tree was found in Lapeer County, and had a circumference of 20 feet. The Weeping Willow tree found in Shiawassee County measured to have a circumference of 27 feet and the Eastern White Pine found in Antrim County measured at 16 feet in circumference.
The tallest trees from each county were also recognized. Here were some of the trees found within the counties:
- Isabella: 321.6 inches, Eastern Cottonwood
- Leelanau: 319.5 inches, Eastern Cottonwood
- Saginaw: 318 inches, Northern Red Oak
- Calhoun: 245.5 inches, American Bass Wood
- Jackson: 279.4 inches, Northern Red Oak
The competition started in the spring of 2023 and ended this past August with over 500 submissions across the state, with representation from 76 out of Michigan's 83 counties.
Participants were encouraged to go out and find the biggest tree they can and measure its circumference. After the submissions were counted, entries were verified by trained professionals across the state.
Chair of the Big Tree Hunt Competition, Lindsay Lights, said measuring the circumference helps make it easy for anyone to participate.
“If you were to walk up to the tree, open your arms and give it a big hug, the distance where your arms go around the tree is what we’re asking for,” Lights said.
Lights said the goal was to get people outside and learn more about trees.
“We know how important trees are for us to be able to breathe, for us to have lower bills, they help with shade in the summer, or even for the animals,” Lights said. “Trees influence everything in our lives.”
Fifteen trees from the contest were also submitted as a potential new tree state champion. The champion is determined by a combination of height and circumference.
Lights said the next Big Tree Hunt will begin next spring, once new sponsors are found.
![The Cheboygan River Dam's sea lamprey trap can hold up to a thousand lamprey. When sea lamprey are returning to the river to spawn in the spring, the trap needs to be emptied multiple times a day. The blue crane [on the far left] by the dam is used to lift the trap out of the water.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/941e9c9/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3474x1936+0+249/resize/560x312!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F39%2F3c%2F81307d274e889e4b036955cbea28%2Fimg-1299.jpg)