Within the Clemson Experimental Forest boundaries, there are three SC Champion Trees. They are chinkapin oak, rusty blackhaw, and white basswood . According to the South Carolina Champion Tree Database (www.clemson.edu/champtree), a champion tree is judged to be the largest of its species according to the following formula:

Trunk circumference (inches) + Height (feet) + 1/4 Average Crown Spread = Total Points

The tree must be either native or naturalized to the United States, excluding Hawaii. To nominate a tree and to find out more information about champion trees, please contact:

Big Tree Coordinator
212 Lehotsky Hall
Clemson University
Clemson, SC 29634-0331

Clemson Experimental Forest Champion Trees

Chinkapin oak - Quercus muehlenbergii
190.2 inches in dbh (diameter at breast height)
90 feet tall
78 feet of average crown spread
300 total points

Rusty blackhaw - Viburnum rufidulum
12 inches in dbh
20 feet tall
21 feet of average crown spread
37 total points

White basswood - Tilia americana var. heterophylla
90.6 inches in dbh
115 feet tall
46 feet of average crown spread
217 total points