In a city where competition permeates all facets of life, including arboreal beauty, Atlanta’s champion trees stand testament to nature’s endurance and adaptability.
Among these notable specimens is the Incense Cedar (Libocedrus decurrens), a rare find in the Atlanta area.
This unique tree, native to California, holds the distinction of being the only one of its kind in Atlanta, with a mysterious history dating back over 180 years—it was planted long before the Civil War.
The journey of champion trees across the United States started in 1940 when the organization American Forests initiated a project to seek out the largest specimens of each tree species.
This effort culminated in the National Champion Tree program, designed to stimulate public interest in trees while honoring the largest of their kind nationwide.
Soon after, local initiatives emerged, acknowledging their tallest and widest trees.
While Georgia has only one tree that ranks among the top 500 nationally—a live oak in Clarke County—Atlanta boasts its own roster of local champions.
In the 1990s, the nonprofit Park Pride launched the Atlanta Champion Trees list, which is now upheld by Trees Atlanta.
This program enlists both staff and volunteers to keep track of existing champions and assess new candidates every year.
Boasting over 300 trees from 120 different species, this list continues to grow, with new nominations celebrated each February during the annual Georgia Arbor Day festivities.
Arborists utilize a point system to differentiate champions from other sizable trees.
This system awards one point for each inch of a tree’s circumference, one point for every foot in height, and a quarter point for every foot of average crown spread.
Interestingly, each species is ranked individually to ensure that a shorter tree, like the 21-foot tall spicebush, is not compared against much larger specimens like the towering 132-foot basswood.
Eli Dickerson, director of education at Park Pride, emphasizes that champion status doesn’t equate to age, beauty, or historical significance.
“Simply put, it means that, through our point system, it possesses the most points,” he states.
However, champion trees’ glory is ephemeral; they can lose their status if larger specimens are discovered or if they perish, a reality that occurs all too frequently due to natural causes or human actions.
Notably, champion trees lack additional legal protection, making them vulnerable despite their esteemed standing.
In light of Earth Month each April, an exploration of some of Atlanta’s champion trees reveals their remarkable survival stories amid the encroachment of urban life.
The American Elm (Ulmus americana) situated at 641 Thurmond Street NW is one such survivor.
Once prevalent across the eastern United States, elms faced horrific decline during the mid-20th century due to Dutch elm disease.
This particular specimen thrives atop a gentle rise in the Vine City neighborhood.
During park construction in 2017, its champion status prompted crucial protective measures to ensure its preservation.
Next on the list is the White Ash (Fraxinus americana) located in Louise G. Howard Park.
Once considered a substitute for costlier hardwoods, this white ash tree stands out for its enormous size, overshadowing others of its species.
However, it has encountered its share of misfortune, having endured lightning strikes and invasions by invasive emerald ash borer insects, bringing its future into question.
At the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance Outdoor Activity Center, the Grandfather Beech Tree (Fagus grandifolia) has been a constant presence since 1863.
Visitors can reflect on its grandeur while relaxing on the platforms and benches provided near its massive trunk, appreciating its silvery-gray bark and sprawling limbs.
Survival may be aided by its proximity to other mature trees in a 26-acre nature preserve known for preserving remnants of old-growth forest in Atlanta.
Also making the list is the Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) located near Decatur Recreation Center.
Despite not being native to the Piedmont forest, this species remains a beloved choice for local residents.
This particular tree is under evaluation to determine its champion status, thanks to its expansive low branches that have become a favored spot for generations of children to climb.
The Cherrybark Oak (Quercus pagoda) found at Our Lady of Perpetual Hope Cancer Home has also garnered attention.
The Dominican nuns who oversee the hospice care for this magnificent tree, which still flourishes despite being constructed around it in the 1970s.
Providing a sense of peace for terminal patients, it stands as one of the tallest trees measured in Atlanta.
Then there’s the Swamp Titi (Cyrilla racemiflora) at the Fernbank Science Center, which welcomed a multitude of pollinators during the spring and summer.
Thought to have been whimsically planted by a Fernbank horticulturist when the center opened in 1967, this tree was rediscovered years later while staff members were clearing invasive plants from the front yard.
Now part of the climate-resilient demonstration garden, it showcases plants native to the Southeast, contributing to ecological conservation.
In Poncey-Highland, a Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) at 622 Moreland Avenue NE stands proudly in a private yard.
Although smaller compared to its counterparts, it is remarkable for its species, and Greg Levine, executive director at Trees Atlanta, cherishes this tree for its exceptional character and vibrant fall colors.
The Sugarberry (Celtis laevigata) located at The Children’s School is equally impressive.
Notably larger for its species, it likely thrived as a boundary tree along an abandoned alley, with its expansive canopy spreading an astonishing 106 feet, making it a strong contender for the national champion title.
Lastly, the Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) situated in front of the High Museum of Art delights all who encounter it, particularly in autumn when its fan-shaped leaves turn a brilliant yellow reminiscent of Van Gogh’s palette.
Despite the adverse effects of urban pollution and ongoing renovations, this resilient ginkgo tree remains steadfast.
The story of Atlanta’s champion trees exemplifies not just the struggle for survival amid urbanization, but also highlights the timeless bond we share with nature.
As eloquently put by Alex Beasley, the director of planting at Trees Atlanta, “Their survival highlights the inherent resilience of nature.”
In honoring these natural giants, we are reminded of the importance of conservation efforts as we share our city with these steadfast guardians of the environment.
As each champion tree continues to brave the challenges of an ever-evolving metropolis, they encapsulate the spirit of endurance, standing tall against the pressures of an expanding urban landscape.
image source from：https://www.atlantamagazine.com/great-reads/the-quiet-champions-of-atlanta-celebrating-the-magnificence-of-our-citys-biggest-trees/
