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Champion Trees

Champion Trees

Enjoy these pictures of some of our 147 champions.  Come back for more later. 

  • 58 Albert Avenue, Cranston, RI                                      Trunk Circumference 9’8”                                                   Height 84’                                                                            Average Canopy Spread 50’                                          Total Points 213

    Nominator: Nominator Tom Morra

    The Nordmann fir is native to Asia Minor (Turkey, Western Caucasus).  This plant has been a RI species champion since 2010.

    Nordmann Fir (Abies nordmanniana)

  • 600 Mount Pleasant Avenue. Providence, RI

    Trunk Circumference 11’2”
    Height 105’
    Average Crown Spread 31’
    Total Points 247

    Nominator/Jerry Melaragno

    The Noble fir is native to the Western United States. This plant is the pride of Rhode Island College. It has been a RI species champion since 2012.

    Noble Fir (Abies procera)

  • 994A Getty Road, Jamestown, RI

    Trunk Circumference 17’4”
    Height 40’
    Average Crown Spread 81’
    Total Points 269

    Owner/ Jeff & Abby Boal

    The Boxelder is a found across the United States. Persistent windy conditions has influenced the tree’s form. This plant was crowned a RI species champion in 2018.

    Drench them with a horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. This will help to control the over-wintering scales (adult females) before they birth the next generation of crawlers later in the season.

    Boxelder, Ash-leaf Maple (Acer negundo)

  • 2 Chase Lane, Lincoln, RI

    Trunk Circumference 16’10”
    Height 73’
    Average Crown Spread 90’
    Total Points 298

    Nominator/Douglas Dalton

    Taxonomists can’t decide if the Black maple is a singular species, or a subspecies of the Sugar maple. But the plant is native and very tolerant of stressed environments. Thiers tree has been a RI species champion since 2014.

    Black Maple (Acer nigrum)

  • Rhode Island College
    600 Mount Pleasant Avenue
    Providence, RI

    Trunk Circumference 11’8”
    Height 54’
    Average Crown Spread 49’
    Total Points 206

    Nominator/Roland Mergener

    The Japanese maple is native to Southeast Asia, China and Japan. It was introduced to America in the late 19th century. This plant has been a RI species champion since 2015.

    Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum

  • 58 Clinton Avenue, Jamestown, RI

    Trunk Circumference 13’2”
    Height 33’
    Average Crown Spread 56’
    Total Points 205

    Owner/Jim & Lisa Bryer

    This tree has been a RI species co-champion since 2018.

    Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)

  • 121 Ocean Avenue, Newport, RI

    Trunk Circumference 4’10”
    Height 14’
    Average Crown Circumference 34’
    Total Points 81

    Nominator/Newport Tree Society

    Known for its deeply cut leaves, the Japanese cut-leaf maple is perhaps the most elegant of all the maples. This plant has been a RI species champion since 2013.

    Japanese Cut-leaf Maple

  • 91 Inez Street, Narragansett, RI

    Trunk Circumference 15’7”
    Height 75’
    Average Crown Spread 83’
    Total Points 283

    Nominator/John DiPanni

    The Norway maple has been cultivated for centuries, is native to Europe. The plant is a common street and park tree in the United States. This tree was crowned a RI species champion in 2008.

    Norway Maple (Acer platanoides)

  • Wilcox Park
    Granite Street, Westerly, RI

    Trunk Circumference 13’6”
    Height 101’
    Average Crown Spread 90’
    Total Points 285

    Nominator/ Alan Peck

    The Sycamore maple is native to Europe. The tree is salt tolerant, making it popular for coastal plantings in New England. This tree has been a RI species champion since 2009.

    Sycamore Maple (Acer pseudoplatanus)

  • 17 David Drive, Johnston, RI

    Trunk Circumference 16’3”
    Height 100’
    Average Crown Spread 88
    Total Points 317

    Owner/Norman Rao

    The Red maple was designated the Rhode Island State Tree by the RI General Assembly in 1964. A native tree, the Red maple is found from Maine to Florida, west to Oklahoma. This plant has been the RI species champion since 2011.

    Red Maple (Acer rubrum)

Helen Walker Raleigh Champion Trees of Rhode Island Registry Program

We can imagine there has been a special interest in big trees for as long as mankind has been present in The Ocean State, however, it wasn’t until the 1930s that “champion tree hunting” became a hobby for some. Perhaps the decline of the American Elm prompted us to start recording the biggest trees in our towns and cities. The earliest tree measurement we have on record was made on March 16, 1931 by John B. Hudson of Hope for a black oak in Buttonwoods “where the Shriner’s Hospital is”. From the 1940s through the 1960s Elizabeth G. Weeks of Providence kept the file of big tree measurements in a wooden box labeled simply “E’s Tree Measurements”. These measurements were often collected on AMC hikes and outings in RI and other places in New England.

Champion Tree ImageDuring the 1970s, Richard L. Champlin of Jamestown became known as “The Tree Man” in Rhode Island – and records of big trees and inquiries were directed his way. As a librarian at the Redwood Library in Newport he developed an inventory of the Specimen Trees of Newport and in 1976 wrote a small book titled “Trees of Newport on the estates of the Preservation Society of Newport County”. Over time he became one of the foremost Natural History experts in the state, traveling the back roads and shorelines and documenting a broad diversity of natural and cultural features. After several decades of work his work on big trees alone resulted in an 8-inch stack of handwritten index cards, including both native trees and urban trees. This was the original big tree registry for the state.

After Mr. Champlin’s death in 2003, Paul Dolan, as Principal Forester at RIDEM saw the need to perpetuate this survey and applied for funding offered by the Wald Grant program of the RI Nature Conservancy and the RI Natural History Survey. After funding was obtained Mr. Dolan oversaw the partial transcription of the cards and establishment of the Big Tree Program at the RI Tree Council.

With additional funding support provided by the Helen Walker Raleigh Big Tree Program, a group of field examiners were dispatched to confirm and re-measure many of the champs and investigate new nominations submitted by big tree hunters throughout the State. The Big Tree program was popularized by the Tree Council in a series of annual calendars that illustrated the champions and other noteworthy trees.The first summary publication of Rhode Island Champion Trees was published by the RITree in 2008.

The Helen Walker Raleigh Champion Tree Program is generously supported with a grant from the Helen Walker Raleigh Tree Care Trust managed by the Rhode Island Foundation.

“Love the Champion Tree Program and all the info on the web site. Great job.”
Michael Becker

Champion Trees

As of March 24, 2026 the updated Rhode Island Champion Tree List highlights the largest known trees of their species across the state, showcasing some of our most remarkable natural treasures. These majestic giants are more than just impressive in size—they play a vital role in supporting biodiversity, improving air and water quality, storing carbon, and offering shade and beauty to their surroundings. Champion trees serve as living landmarks, connecting communities to the state’s natural heritage while reminding us of the importance of conservation. Protecting and celebrating these extraordinary trees ensures that future generations can continue to benefit from their ecological, cultural, and aesthetic value.

GENUS SPECIES COMMON NAME CITY/TOWN ADDRESS TR HT CR PTS RK
Abies alba Fir, Silver Bristol Blithewold Gardens 156 105 47 273 1
Abies balsamea Fir, Balsam Bristol 125 Poppasquash Rd 136 69 69 222 1
Abies concolor Fir, White North Kingstown 54 Willett Road 132 88 36 229 1
Abies homolepis Fir, Nikko Coventry 1268 Perry Hill Road 133 78 54 225 1
Abies nordmanniana Fir, Nordmann Cranston 58 Albert Ave 116 84 50 213 1
Abies procera Fir, Noble Providence RI College #53 134 105 31 247 1
Acer griseum Maple, Paperbark South Kingstown 50 Cherry Lane 49 49 45 109 1
Acer nigrum Maple, Black Lincoln 2 Chase Lane 202 73 90 298 1
Acer palmatum Maple, Japanese Jamestown 58 Clinton Avenue 158 33 56 205 1
Acer palmatum  Maple, Japanese Providence RI College #5 140 54 49 206 1
Acer palmatum var. dissectum Maple, Japanese Cut-Leaf Newport 121 Ocean Avenue 58 14 34 81 1
Acer pensylvanicum Maple, Striped Jamestown opposite Comm. Farm 19 31 6 52 1
Acer platanoides Maple, Norway Narragansett 91 Inez 187 75 83 283 1
Acer pseudoplatanoides Maple, Sycamore Westerly Wilcox Park 162 101 90 285 1
Acer rubrum Maple, Red Johnston 17 David Drive 195 100 88 317 1
Acer saccharinum Maple, Silver Glocester 15 Dorr Drive 296 82 75 397 1
Acer saccharum Maple, Sugar Burrillville 360 Steere Farm Rd 228 106 99 359 1
Aesculus hippocastanum Horsechestnut, European Newport 304 Bellevue Avenue 226 67 85 314 1
Aesculus octandra Buckeye, Yellow Exeter 172 South Road 135 76 59 226 1
Aesculus X carnea Horsechestnut, Red Warwick 501 Centerville Avenue 59 44 41 113 1
Ailanthus altissima Ailanthus, Tree of Heaven Providence 1093 Smith St 180 80 96 284 1
Albizza julibrissin Silktree, Mimosa East Greenwich 851 South Rd 43 47 73 108 1
Betula lenta Birch, Sweet Westerly Wahaneeta Preserve 159 82 66 258 1
Betula nigra Birch, River Westerly Wilcox Park 127 79 76 225 1
Betula papyrifera Birch, Paper South Kingstown  81 Whitford St 86 75 68 178 1
Calocedrus decurrens Incensecedar, California Providence Roger Williams Park#1 57 72 21 134 1
Carpinus caroliniana Hornbeam, American Providence Roger Williams Park#3 104 57 67 178 1
Carya glabra Hickory, Pignut Lincoln Lincoln Woods Park 93 117 32 218 1
Carya glabra Hickory, Pignut Johnston 12 Chamberlain St#1 100 102 68 219 1
Carya ovalis Hickory, Sweet Providence 12 Everett Avenue 114 98 74 231 1
Carya ovata Hickory, Shagbark East Greenwich 157 Middle Road 141 75 85 237 1
Carya tomentosa Hickory, White North Smithfield 399 Great Rd 121 71 66 208 1
Castanea dentata Chestnut, American Glocester 7 Rustic Hill Rd 39 30 32 78 1
Castanea mollissima Chestnut, Chinese Hopkinton 211 Chase Hill Road 190 51 71 259 1
Castanea x dentata Chestnut, Zimmerman East Greenwich 4157 Post Road 88 70 50 171 1
Catalpa speciosa Catalpa, Northern North Smithfield 399 Great Rd 216 73 78 308 1
Cedrus atlantica Cedar, Atlas Westerly 62 Elm Street 132 65 65 213 1
Cedrus libani Cedar of Lebanon Pawtucket 689 East Ave. 126 71 50 210 1
Celtis occidentalis Hackberry, Common Providence Swan Point Cemetery 127 56 82 204 1
Cercidiphyllum japonicum Katsuratree Warren 7 Lyndon St. 114 64 48 190 1
Cercidiphyllum japonicum Katsuratree Newport 25 Bowery Street 105 74 46 191 1
Cercis canadensis  Redbud, Eastern Barrington 5 Holly Lane 36 20 41 66 1
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana Falsecypress, Lawson’s Bristol North Farm Arboretum 102 74 30 184 1
Chamaecyparis obtusa Falsecypress, Hinoki Jamestown 35 Howland Avenue 94 43 28 144 1
Chamaecyparis pisifera Falsecypress, Sawara Bristol Juniper Hills Cemetery 147 73 45 232 1
Cladrastis lutea Yellowwood Barrington 10 First Street 100 51 69 168 1
Clethra barbinervis Japanese Tree Clethra South Kingstown Kinney Gardens 55 35 20 95 1
Cornus florida Dogwood, Eastern Jamestown 35 Howland Avenue 128 28 40 167 1
Cornus mas Dogwood, Cornelian Cherry Barrington 273 Rumstick Rd 64 22 33 94 1
Cornus  kousa Dogwood, Chinese Providence 196 Taber Avenue 76 34 40 120 1
Cryptomeria japonica Cedar, Japanese  Bristol Blithewold Gardens 81 74 27 162 1
Cunninghamia lanceolata Fir, Chinese South Kingstown Kinney Gardens 64 60 32 132 1
Davidia involucrata Dovetree South Kingstown URI Arboretum #56 31 40 30 79 1
Eucommia ulmoides Hardy Rubber Tree Providence Roger Williams Park 88 72 44 171 1
Euonymus europaeus Euonymus, European Providence SPC-North Way 132 62 50 207 1
Fagus grandifolia Beech, American Providence 29 Burton Street 126 84 59 225 1
Fagus sylvatica  Beech, European Warwick 444 Narragansett Bay Ave 308 105 100 438 1
Fagus sylvatica laciniata Beech, European Cut-leaf Newport 492 Bellevue Avenue 252 70 98 364 1
Fagus sylvatica pendula Beech, European Weeping Newport Chateau Sur Mer 223 69 80 312 1
Franklinia alatamaha Franklin Tree South Kingstown Kinney Gardens 38 36 24 80 1
Fraxinus americana Ash, White South Kingstown 120 Bittersweet Farm Way 194 90 73 302 1
Fraxinus pennsylvanica  Ash, Green Westerly Wilcox Park 126 77 73 221 1
Fraxinus quadrangulata Ash, Blue Providence 392 Rochambeau Avenue 46 42 31 96 1
Ginkgo biloba Maidenhairtree Newport 26-30 Narragansett Avenue 174 79 73 271 1
Gleditsia triacanthos inermis Honeylocust, Thornless Warwick 57 Old Forger Road 107 94 89 223 1
Gleditsia triancanthos  Honeylocust, Common Coventry 124 Hall Rd 185 71 52 269 1
Gymnocladus dioicus Coffee Tree, Kentucky Providence Wanskuck Park 123 88 70 229 1
Halesia carolina Silverbell, Carolina Providence 75 12th Street 91 62 57 167 1
Halesia monticola Silverbell, Mountain South Kingstown URI Arboretum #74 43 45 30 96 1
Ilex opaca Holly, American Jamestown 850 East Shore Road 113 45 47 170 1
Juglans cinerea Butternut East Greenwich 2153 South County Trail 106 67 83 194 1
Juglans mandshurica Walnut, Manchurian Bristol Blithewold Gardens 178 61 77 258 1
Juglans nigra Walnut, Black Lincoln Lincoln Woods Park 207 103 96 334 1
Juglans regia Walnut, Persian Bristol 6 Sunnyside Avenue 194 71 84 286 1
Juniperus virginiana Cedar, Eastern Red Jamestown 22 Mount Hope Avenue 79 54 28 140 1
Koelreuteria paniculata Raintree, Golden East Greenwich 851 South Rd 54 25 29 86 1
Larix decidua Larch, European Bristol North Farm-South Lane 113 78 46 204 1
Larix laricina Larch, Eastern Glocester 69 Dexter Farm Rd 181 50 60 247 1
Liquidamber styracaflua Sweet Gum Bristol Blithewold Gardens 121 90 71 229 1
Liriodendron tulipifera Tuliptree Warwick 975 Warwick Neck Ave. 211 126 96 361 1
Liriodendron tulipifera Tuliptree Little Compton 420 West Main Rd. 256 83 90 361 1
Maclura pomifera Orange, Osage Bristol Blithewold Gardens 135 80 52 228 1
Magnolia acuminata Magnolia, Cucumbertree Newport 492 Bellevue Avenue 162 82 64 260 1
Magnolia grandiflora Magnolia, Evergreen Providence 400 Reservoir Avenue 44 47 31 99 1
Magnolia kobus Magnolia, Kobus South Kingstown 1978 Kingstown Rd 106 41 48 159 1
Magnolia officionalis Magnolia officionalis South Kingstown Kinney Gardens 18 38 15 60 1
Magnolia soulangeana Magnolia, Saucer Providence Swan Point Cemetery 58 31 39 99 1
Malus domestica Apple, Greening Coventry 7 Station Street 57 28 28 92 1
Malus x baccata Crabapple, Common Jamestown 994A Getty Road 137 47 55 198 1
Metasequoia glyptostroboides Dawn Redwood Warwick 600 Spring Green Road 242 83 72 343 1
Morus alba Mulberry, White Johnston 216 Morgan Avenue 172 61 58.5 248 1
Nyssa sylvatica Tupelo Little Compton 11 High Meadow Road 121 58 53 192 1
Ostrya virginiana Hophornbeam, American Providence Roger Williams Park 110 43 51 165 1
Oxydendron arboreum Sourwood South Kingstown 1747 Moorsefield Rd 129 63 50 205 1
Paulownia tomentosa Empresstree Swan Point Cemetery Forest Street 170 73 80 263 1
Phellodendron amurense Corktree, Amur Providence 223 Brook Street 124 69 56 207 1
Picea abies Spruce, Norway Coventry 401 Hopkins Hill Road 152 96 53 262 1
Picea orientalis Spruce, Oriental Westerly Wilcox Park 90 62 38 162 1
Pieris japonica Andromeda, Japanese South Kingstown Kinney Gardens 26 25 25 57 1
Pinus bungeana Pine, Lacebark Providence Swan Point Cemetery 28 44 22 78 1
Pinus cembra Pine, Swiss Stone Westerly Wilcox Park 58 40 20 103 1
Pinus rigida Pine, Pitch Warwick 261 Hardig Road 112 77 53 202 1
Pinus strobus Pine, White Foster 11 Mill Road 170 102 62 288 1
Pinus wallichiana Pine, Himalayan Westerly Wilcox Park 32 22 28 61 1
Platanus acerifolia Planetree, London Jamestown 11 Howland Avenue 144 99 89 265 1
Platanus occidentalis Sycamore, American Lincoln  448 River Road 245 97 107 369 1
Populus deltoides Cottonwood, Eastern Cranston 35 Kent Place 197 115 103 337 1
Prunus avium Cherry, Sweet Scituate 144 Elmdale Road 96 73 50 182 1
Prunus serotina Cherry, Black Barrington 83 Rumstick Road 163 96 70 277 1
Prunus serrulata Cherry, Japanese  South Kingstown 180 High St Town Hall 149 37 62 202 1
Prunus subhirtella pendula Cherry, Higan Barrington 1 Hart Avenue 112 58 56 224 1
Pseudotsuga menziesii Douglasfir North Providence 200 High Service Avenue 92 72 41 175 1
Quercus alba Oak, White Exeter Mattscheck Farm Rt 102 241 76 88 340 1
Quercus bicolor Oak, Swamp White Providence 220 Rochambeau Avenue 160 67 88 249 1
Quercus cerris Oak, Turkey Newport Chateau Sur Mer 228 64 81 312 1
Quercus coccinea Oak, Scarlet Bristol Blithewold Gardens 128 96 74 243 1
Quercus latifolia Oak, Laurel Providence SPC-F6 90 55 76 164 1
Quercus macrocarpa Oak, Burr Westerly 62 Elm Street 153 92 109 267 1
Quercus mongolica Oak, Mongolian Newport 7 Bellevue Court 165 40 97 229 1
Quercus palustris Oak, Pin Providence Fairoaks Avenue 186 89 95 299 1
Quercus phellos Oak,Willow Providence Swan Point Cemetery 87 75 46 174 1
Quercus prinus Oak, Chestnut Cumberland 425 Nate Whipple Highway 111 91 62 217 1
Quercus rubra Oak, Red Pawtucket 214 Beverage Hill Avenue 300 86 107 412 1
Quercus velutina Oak, Black Warren 93 Seymour Street 217 74 90 314 1
Quercus  robur Oak, English Jamestown 71 Howland Avenue 203 82 105 311 1
Rhododendron cadis Rhododendron, cadis South Kingstown Kinney Gardens 51 25 24 82 1
Robinia pseudoacacia Locust, Black North Providence 57 Rosner Avenue 151 75 59 241 1
Salix alba Willow, White Lincoln 30 Dexter Rock Road 264 86 73 369 1
Sassafras albidium Sassafras Providence SPC- Forest Avenue 227 57 43 295 1
Sciadopitys verticillata Umbrellapine, Japanese East Greenwich 572 Cedar Dr 67 64 21 137 1
Sequoiadendron giganteum Sequoia, Giant Bristol Blithewold Gardens 228 101 60 344 1
Stewartia pseudocamellia Stewartia, Japanese South Kingstown 23 Winter Street 54 46 24 106 1
Styphnolobium japonicum Scholartree Westerly 235 Watch Hill Road 176 70 80 266 1
Styphnolobium japonicum var pendula Scholartree, Weeping Newport 443 Bellevue Avenue 59 18 30 85 1
Styrax japonicus Snowbell, Japanese Westerly Wilcox Park 45 30 41 85 1
Syringa reticulata Lilac, Japanese Tree Little Compton 420 West Main Rd. 134 37 41 181 1
Taxus cuspidata Yew, Japanese Bristol North Farm-Great lawn 251 39 78 310 1
Thuja occidentalis Cedar, White Johnston Int Atwood & Memorial Blvd 121 63 45 195 1
Thuja plicatum Arborvitae, Western Pawtucket Riverside Cemetery 99 73 38 182 1
Tilia americana Linden, American Bristol 59 Highland Avenue 288 74 103 388 1
Tilia cordata Linden, Littleleaf Bristol North Farm-South Lane 171 87 82 278 1
Tilia tomentosa Linden, Silver Middletown 47 Kane Ave 146 75 83 242 1
Tilia X europaea Linden, European South Kingstown 957 Saugatucket Rd 154 68 63 238 1
Toona sinensis Chinese Toon Tree Providence SPC-E2 102 65 72 185 1
Toxidendron vernix Sumac, Poison Burrillville Cruff Road 11 21 15 37 1
Tsuga canadensis Hemlock, Eastern Bristol North Farm 135 88 51 236 1
Tsuga canadensis var. sargentii Hemlock, Weeping Newport Chateau Sur Mer 96 14 14 114 1
Tsuga canadensis var. sargentii Hemlock, Weeping Bristol Blithewold Gardens 102 24 43 137 1
Ulmus americana Elm, American Providence Mansion Park 198 98 74 314 1
Ulmus glabra Elm, Wych/Scotch Newport 580 Bellevue Ave 87 70 36 166 1
Ulmus glabra var. “Camperdownii” Elm, Camperdownii North Kingstown 250 West Main Street 126 28 40 164 1
Ulmus pumila Elm, Siberian South Kingstown 21 Schaffer Street 136 80 66 233 1
Ulmus rubra Elm, Red South Kingstown Kinney Gardens 65 65 20 135 1
Ulmus x hollandica Elm, Dutch North Kingstown 84 Main Street 138 84 87 245 1
Viburnum sieboldii Viburnum, Siebold Newport 18-20 Carroll Avenue 56 22 25 84 1
Zelkova 3051 2746 2441 2136 1526 1221 916 306 1
RITree needs your help to build our Champion Tree Database. We are looking for trees considered culturally, historically and/or biologically notable. Fill out and return the notable tree ballot to RITree. Download the Helen Walker Raleigh Champion Tree Nomination Form PDF.
Nomination Form

RI Tree Crowns Another Champion Tree

October 3, 2022

John Campanini, Technical Director The Rhode Island Tree Council has named another Rhode Island champion tree. A beautiful and healthy Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata) located on Comstock Road in North Smithfield was crowned a species champion recently by RI Tree Council. The tree measures 12’ in trunk circumference with an 83’crown spread.  The tree is 91 feet […]

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Traveling Trees

December 9, 2019

The tree champions come from near and far. Those calling Rhode Island home head the list “RI Natives”. They include the Red and Sugar maple, the Red oak, Tuliptree, and Eastern White pine. They occur naturally in the Ocean State and are among the true RI natives appearing on the list. Those farther afield but […]

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2019 Rhode Island Champion Tree List

December 8, 2019

We are proud to Introduce the New and updated Champion Tree List.

The latest updated list of Rhode Island Champion Trees is now available. This new version shows all 144 species champions through June 30, 2019. Of this total, 138 are genuine dye-in-the-wool species.

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