25. The Hunt for Georgia's Champion Trees with David Long and Eli Dickerson

Welcome to the Georgia Forestry Forum!

In today’s episode, special guest Eli Dickerson and GFC's David Long take you inside Georgia’s Champion Tree Program to explore how the state’s largest trees are identified, measured, and verified. From the nomination process to the stories behind some of Georgia’s most impressive champions, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how these towering trees are discovered, and what makes them stand out.

Resources discussed:

• Champion Trees | Georgia Forestry Commission
• Atlanta’s Champion Trees | Trees Atlanta
• National Champion Tree Program | National Champion Tree Program
• Home - Park Pride
• The Wild Trees – Richard Preston
• Big Trees and Primeval Forests: A Guide to the Largest Trees and Finest Surviving Old-Growth in Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains: Shaw, Clifford 

Find Georgia Forestry Commission online:

• Website: https://gatrees.org/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaForestryCommission/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gatrees/
• Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/GaTrees

David Long
Urban and Community Forestry Specialist
Champion Tree Program Coordinator
Georgia Forestry Commission
ISA Certified Arborist
dlong@gfc.state.ga.us

Eli Dickerson
Director of Education, Park Pride
Volunteer, Trees Atlanta
eli@parkpride.org

Credits:

YouTube Audio Library - 

• Duck in the Alley by Tracktribe
• Hustle Econo by National Sweetheart
• Seasons by Telecasted

Freesound.org Attributions - 

• January Sleet by pcaeldries
• Keyboard by MattRuthSound
• Tire Puncture by WaveAdventurer 
• Wolf by maljwilliams 

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