Nearly Every Giant New York Tree Grows in This County

There's a special county in New York, and it holds nearly every record for big trees in the state.

New York is impressively forested. With over 32 million total acres of land, more than half is covered in trees. While this means that there are impressive specimens nearly everywhere you look, one county in particular has produced some truly awe-inspiring species.

The Biggest Trees in New York State

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) keeps a record of the largest example of nearly every tree that grows in the state. In the Hudson Valley, there are approximately 16 record-holding trees... but that number doesn't hold a candle to another county upstate.

The Biggest Trees in the Hudson Valley

Dutchess county has the most large trees in the Hudson Valley, from the state's biggest red maple to the most massive honey locust. While those numbers are impressive, there's one county that holds more than 30% of the state's giants, and it's nearly all thanks to one man.

Read More: Could New York’s Biggest Tree Be the Largest in the World

Giant Trees in Monroe County, NY

Monroe County in Rochester, NY is home to at 78 of New York's largest trees. Combined with their neighboring Livingston County, that number jumps to 102. With just over 200 trees on the register, that means a staggering amount of record-holders are in one small area of the state... but why?

Nearly every one of these natural giants has been nominated by Letchworth State Park naturalist Doug Bassett, in many ways making him responsible for the standout statistics of the two upstate New York counties. Most of the time, Bassett says, he simply notices a large tree and nominates it. Often, he ends up rewarded with the state record.

New York Trees That Are the Biggest in the Country

While state records are impressive, a select few Monroe and Livingston County trees also hold national records, including the largest eastern white pine in the country. Luckily, anyone is able to nominate a tree they suspect might be the biggest of its kind. Here's how:

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Nominate a Giant Tree in New York State

The first step is to measure the circumference of the tree roughly 4.5 feet from the ground and compare it with the current title holder. The NYS DEC says this is the best indicator whether the tree might be record-worthy. Then, find your closest NYS DEC office for an official measurement.