Ann Arbor, Mich. Big trees may be hiding in plain sight across Michigan, located in backyards, parks, cemeteries, schools, farms, neighborhoods, natural areas and more.
ReLeaf Michigan is inviting residents across the state to help find and nominate Michigan’s biggest trees through ReLeaf Michigan’s 17th Biennial Michigan Big Tree Hunt. The free statewide contest encourages people to get outside, notice the trees around them, and help document some of Michigan’s largest living landmarks.
The Big Tree Hunt launches on August 3, opening the next cycle of ReLeaf Michigan’s long-running statewide contest. Over the coming months, ReLeaf Michigan will collect nominations from across the state.
The Michigan Big Tree Hunt was started by ReLeaf Michigan in 1993 to celebrate Michigan’s trees and inspire people to notice, measure, and appreciate the large trees growing around them. Since then, the contest has helped connect people of all ages with trees in their yards, neighborhoods, and communities while supporting statewide awareness of Michigan’s natural resources.
The contest is open to participants of all ages. Entries may be submitted online at BigTreeHunt.com.
Recognition and contest categories
ReLeaf Michigan’s Big Tree Hunt recognizes trees and nominators in several categories, including:
The largest tree submitted from each Michigan county
The largest tree submitted by a Big Tree Hunter age 16 or older
The largest tree submitted by a Big Tree Hunter age 15 or younger
The largest eastern white pine, Michigan’s state tree
Trees that may qualify as potential new Michigan State Champion Trees
The contest helps identify large trees that may be added to or compared with the Michigan Big Tree Register. Even if a tree is not larger than a current listed champion, ReLeaf Michigan encourages residents to submit it. Large trees can be lost over time, and new nominations help keep information about Michigan’s biggest trees current.
Tree locations entered into the Michigan Big Tree Hunt are not made public without the property owner’s permission.
How to enter
Entering the contest is simple. Participants should:
Find a big tree.
Measure the circumference around the trunk at 4.5 feet above the ground.
Take clear photos of the tree, including the full tree, trunk, measurement location, and identifying features (leaf or twig).
Submit the entry online at BigTreeHunt.com.
Paper entry forms are expected to be available this fall at participating libraries, nature centers, parks, conservation districts, and other locations across Michigan.
Entries will be accepted through August 11, 2028. After the contest closes, ReLeaf Michigan will review submissions and coordinate in-person verification for top entries. The contest will also conclude with a celebration ceremony in the fall of 2028. The last celebration, held at Chippewa Nature Center, welcomed more than 100 Big Tree Winners and their families in attendance.
A statewide effort
For the new contest cycle, ReLeaf Michigan hopes to build statewide momentum and receive big tree submissions from all 83 Michigan counties.
The Big Tree Hunt is also featured through ReLeaf Michigan’s ongoing “Big Tree of the Week” social media posts, which highlight submitted trees and stories from across Michigan.
The Michigan Big Tree Hunt is made possible through the support of sponsors and partners. For the full list of current sponsors and partners, visit BigTreeHunt.com.
More contest details, the entry form, measuring instructions, and updates are available at BigTreeHunt.com. For questions, email bigtreehunt@releafmichigan.org or call (800) 642-7353.
About ReLeaf Michigan
ReLeaf Michigan is the only statewide volunteer nonprofit 501(c)(3) tree planting and education organization in Michigan. Its mission is to educate the public on the value of trees and how to properly select, plant, and maintain them.
Since 1988, ReLeaf Michigan has worked with more than 815 communities across the state, planting more than 35,000 trees on public property in Michigan’s cities, townships, and villages. ReLeaf Michigan believes communities are stronger when they are greener: people are healthier, the air is cleaner, infrastructure is more efficient, and the economy is stronger with trees. For more information about ReLeaf Michigan’s statewide tree planting and education mission, visit www.releafmichigan.org.
