Large Oak Competition
The Large Oak Competition is a citizen science project at its finest. It engages your imagination teaching you how to measure an oak and returns to you an estimation of the tree's ecological contributions.
It helps document the current range and age of oaks in the region. Take a look at the OAKtober tree map.
This is real science and easy to do!
Participation is very easy:
1) Find a tree you want to know about
2) Ask permission to measure the tree, or already own it
3) Get a string or rope that is long enough to stretch around the tree
4) Get a tape measure
5) Measure up against the tree trunk from the ground 4.5 feet
6) Wrap around the tree at 4.5 feet from the ground the string or rope
7) Mark to identify later where the string or rope meets itself
8) Stretch the string out against and extended tape measure.
9) Record the results in inches.
10) Take two photos of the tree - whole tree image, an image of the lower trunk
11) Email the images to oaktober.org@gmail.com
12) Upload your measurement results here.
Biometric and eco-benefits data come to you at the end of the competition season.
Biometric estimates for your tree
Eco-benefit estimate for your tree
The largest trees receive website recognition (privacy respected)
Satisfaction and reward of being a good OAKeeper
Your tree's biometric estimates will be shared without sharing your personal details.
Nominate trees for consideration before the end of October.
Go collect the information below and submit it on this webform.
If you have a problem or a question email: OAKeeper.org@gmail.com
2024 Large Oak Competition Rules & Questions:
Answer ALL the questions on the submission form.
Own the property where the tree is growing OR have permission to access it for measurement if it’s private property. If it’s public property, like a park, assume permission and just identify it as public.
Your Name: _________________________________________________________
Email address: __________________________________________________
Phone: __________________________________________________________
Address where the tree grows:___________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________
I own the property: Y/N; or
I have permission to submit this application: Y/N;
or it’s a public tree: Y/N
Name of the property owner: ______________________________________
Measure the circumference around the trunk 4.5 feet (54 inches) off the ground.
The tree’s circumference in inches: ______________
Multiple stems: Y/N
The simplest way to do measure the tree is with a piece of string or rope wrapped around the tree. Mark the string carefully where the ends overlap and then stretch it out alongside a tape measure. That is the circumference to submit. If your tree splits into multiple stems before reaching 4.5 feet, measure each stem separately and add the dimensions together. That is the total circumference to submit.
An estimate or guess about the tree’s age:_______________________
Does this tree grow in the savanna style (a single, wide spreading tree growing alone): Y/N;
or as part of an oak grove (just a few trees not more than 20 feet from each other): Y/N;
or as a member of an oak woodland (many trees with a closed canopy): Y/N.
Estimated height of the tree canopy in feet (from the ground to top of the foliage):_______________
Estimated spread of the canopy in feet made with two perpendicular estimates, such as: North to south, and east to west: 1)________________________ 2)____________________________
Email two photographs:
The trunk – the lower section from the ground up, ideally an unobstructed view.
The whole tree – from the ground up the trunk including the canopy.