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Join the Fourth Annual Big Tree Education Event from May 4 - June 4, 2024!
The New Jersey Forest Service's Big Tree Program invites you, your family and friends to the Forest Resource Education Center in Jackson on Saturday, May 4, 2024 to help us kick off this year's Big Tree Education Event to find new trees to be added to our Big Tree Registry!
What: Big Tree Hunt Kickoff Event
Where: Forest Resource Education Center - 495 Don Conner Blvd, Jackson
When: Saturday, May 4, 2024 - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Join us for a day of games, pizes and big trees! The first 40 in attendance will recieve a FREE t-shirt.
Participants are asked to find the tree height, tree circumference and average crown for each submission, along with species and location information. Don't know how to find this information? Scroll down to learn how!
Please note you have from May 4 - June 4 to submit your findings.
The three largest trees found during the Big Tree Education Event will receive a certificate.
Scroll down to submit your findings!
How to Measure Big Trees
Before your head out searching for the next Big Tree, you're going to need to learn how to properly measure them.
How to Measure Tree Circumference
How to Measure Tree Height
How to Measure Average Crown
You can learn more about measuring Big Trees by clicking here.
Submit a Big Tree
Thanks for participating in the Big Tree Education Event! Please submit your findings through this form.
Note: Please search for Big Trees only on property that you have permission to, state parks and forests are a great place to start!
Bonus Video Clip Contest - Record a Video! Submit a one-minute video describing the Big Tree you are submitting:
Create you're one minute video via smartphone or similar device.
While we already know about these trees, seeing some of New Jersey's largest trees in person can be an awe inspiring experience!
Benefits of Big Trees
New Jersey takes pride in its big trees and for good reason. These mammoth trees are not just tree resources; they are mega tree resources providing up to 600 times the environmental benefits of typical trees. Big trees:
Remove tons of pollution from our air annually;
Combat climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the air;
Lower electric costs up to 50 percent by providing shade to nearby structures;
Reduce the heat island effect;
Prevent water runoff, erosion and water pollution;
Prevent flooding;
Saves water by slowing evapotranspiration of thirsty lawns;
One acre of mature trees releases enough oxygen for 18 people in one year;
Filter ground water by absorbing nutrients and toxins through their roots;
Provide wildlife habitat;
Provide food in the form of fruits and nuts;
Represent historic events;
Provide wood and high-quality forest products;
Unify communities and organizations;
Help increase property values by as much as 15 percent;
Slow water evaporation via shade, saving water;
Create visually pleasing barriers;
Provide natural sound barriers;
Offer superior resistant genetics compared with typical trees;
Official Site of The State of New Jersey