Date: Fri, 3 Mar 2017 13:04:25 -0500 (GMT-05:00)

From: Margaret Tiano

Subject: Search for Largest Dogwood Tree in Chatham is ON!

Grand Trees of Chatham (GTOC) has begun its 2017 champion tree search, this time a search for the largest dogwood tree in Chatham County! Property owners who believe there may be a champion dogwood tree growing in their yard or on their land are being asked to nominate their tree for measuring and evaluation by GTOC. The search will begin immediately, and extend through the month of May. Commonly referred to as Flowering Dogwood, the species Cornus florida L. is native to eastern North America and is among the most beautiful flowering trees that capture our attention each spring. It is a relatively small deciduous tree, usually only 15 to 30 feet in height, with a branch spread of about the same distance, and a trunk that is rarely even one foot in diameter.

Online nomination forms for the dogwood search can be obtained by clicking on the “Grand Trees of Chatham Awards Program" link found on the GTOC website, www.chathamnc.org/index.aspx?page=1203

Paper nomination forms can be found at each of the County public libraries: Chatham Community Library located at the CCCC campus in Pittsboro, Wrenn Library in Siler City and the Goldston Public Llbrary in Goldston.

Anyone interested in finding out more about North Carolina’s Champion Big Trees program may want to visit the NC Forest Service website at http://ncforestservice.gov/Urban/nc_champion_big_trees_overview.htm

Check out the photo of the state champion dogwood!

Margaret Tiano

Outreach Volunteer

Grand Trees of Chatham - Tell us about your favorite tree!