YS Tree Committee Asking for Big Tree Nominations

The Yellow Springs Tree Committee is asking home-owners to nominate trees that may be included in “The Big Trees of Yellow Springs.” In 1972 Robert Bieri of the Antioch Environmental Studies Center published the original brochure. This year the Tree Committee decided to review the information and see how many of the trees were still growing. Kathy Beverly went looking for the original trees and found only about a third of them, so it is definitely time to update the list.




The original publication had three purposes. First, it was a guide to the variety and location of trees that grow within the limits of the village not including Glen Helen. Secondly, by using the list, local home-owners or tree-fanciers interested in planting trees could see these magnificent specimens and understand how they grow in maturity. And finally, the brochure offered some tips on keeping trees healthy.

It is interesting to note that three of the big trees in 1972 were Ohio Champion Trees – a larch on Allen Street, a Norway maple on Yellow-Springs Fairfield, and a Boxelder on Herman Street.



To nominate a tree (Using Ohio Div. of Forestry criteria):
• Determine the variety – or ask a member of the tree committee for help
• Measure the circumference at breast height or 4 ½ feet above the ground (see photos)
• Estimate the health of the tree – healthy, part of canopy gone, dying
• Call Macy Reynolds at 767-2981 with the information and location.




When a big tree falls, scientists are now finding that a whole ecosystem of insects, birds, micro-organisms, mosses, and lichens die with it. Trees that support these colonies do not have to be tropical – they exist in our own back yards. Therefore, it is important to treasure our trees even if they aren’t the largest or oldest yet because they are creating their own unique habitat. Someday that small twig you planted in the yard may be a state winner but in the meantime, practicing good tree husbandry will keep it healthy and allow it to grow to its potential height.


Macy Reynolds
YS Tree Committee