Division of Forestry and Wildlife

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
News Release

For Immediate News Release May 16, 2014 

WILIWILI TREE FROM HAWAII ISLAND CROWNED
LARGEST IN THE COUNTRY FOR ITS SPECIES

American Forests’ Releases Spring 2014 National Register of Big Trees

HONOLULU —The Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Wildlife announces that a wiliwili tree (Erythrina sandwicensis) from Hawaii island has been selected as a national champion in American Forest’s Big Tree Program.

Photo by Nikiforos Delatolas, Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative

Hawaii’s Wiliwili selected as national champion in Big Tree Program

Location: Waikoloa Dry Forest
Nominated by: Jen Lawson – Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative
Trunk Circumference: 186.96 inches
Average Crownspread: 43.50 feet
Height: 40 feet

For over 70 years the National Big Tree Program has invited arboreal enthusiasts to locate the largest trees of their species for the title of Big Tree Champion. By calling attention to these iconic trees, the program raises awareness of the numerous ecosystem benefits they provide.

The pre-eminent catalogue of champions is the National Register of Big Trees, a biannual publication released by American Forests. The most recent edition included a wiliwili (Erythrina sandwicensis) from Waikoloa Dry Forest. Specific measurements and photos are available on pages 14 and 40 of the register, listed under the common name “Coral bean.”

The Hawaii Big Tree Competition locates the largest native and culturally significant tree species in Hawaii. To be considered for nomination, the species must be included on the national list of eligible species. Hawaii currently has 21 eligible species, but efforts are underway to increase that number. The largest trees of each species are referred to as “National Champions,” an award which is based purely on the tree’s measurements.

Everyone is welcome to nominate a big tree. The champions are decided by a point system, determined by the following equation: circumference (inches) + height (feet) + 1/4th of the average crown spread (feet) = total points. For a species to be included in the register, nominations must be given to state coordinators prior to Sept. 15.

To learn more about our current champions or view a complete list of Hawaii’s eligible species,
visit https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/forestry/info/big-tree/
To view the complete Spring 2014 National Register of Big Trees,
visit https://www.americanforests.org/our-programs/bigtree/ To nominate a potential champion tree, send the measurements along with GPS coordinates to the Hawaii Big Tree Coordinator at 586-0915.

# # #

Media Contact:

Deborah Ward
Public Information Specialist
(808) 587-0320