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The article reports on two arborists, Brian French and Will Koomjian, who, working with the National Center for Conservation, Science and Policy (NCCSP), which oversees Oregon's Big Tree Registry, are trying to find and remeasure all of Oregon's national champions. As reported, instead of using lasers or clinometers to measure height, they use skills they've learned over the years as arborists. It is also reported that they started researching and discovered big tree registries, lists of champion trees maintained by states and nationally by American Forests. In February 2007, they set out to climb their first champion, a western redcedar in Oregon's Mt. Hood National Forest.

The article reports that a newly decreed 10-year rule of American Forests' National Register of Big Trees states that no tree can retain its crown longer than 10 years without being remeasured in the U.S. As reported, one hundred champs in 2008 were casualties of the new rule, all trees not remeasured since 1998. The demise of many more now-former champs became known only because nominators and state big tree coordinators were motivated by the new rule to find and remeasure them. This has resulted in the biggest set of changes ever in the 68-year history of the Big Tree program. It is also reported that the crop of 219 new champions in 2008 is distributed among 32 states.

The article provides the author's view regarding wildlife preservation and protection in the U.S. He highlights the important role played by human beings in providing or sharing land with wildlife. He also highlights the move of the American Forests, a non-profit organization, to work with the Forest Service as well as to plant more than 1 million longleaf pine seedlings in the Osceola National Forest.

The article presents information related to the nomination of a big tree by American Forests. As reported, for each nomination American Forests needs correct name of the species or variety, location, name and address of owner, and description of the tree's physical condition among other things. It is also reported that to be eligible for listing in the National Register of Big Trees, a species must be recognized as native or naturalized in the continental U.S., including Alaska but not Hawaii. It is further reported that a nominee will replace a registered champion if it has more points and when two trees have scores that fall within 5 points of each other, they are listed as co-champions.

The article reports on the partnership between Davey Tree Expert Co. and the American Forests, a nonprofit organization working for the conservation of forests in the U.S. As reported, Davey has been the sponsor of American Forests' National Register of Big Trees since 1989. It is also reported that both Big Trees and Davey stand for large healthy trees and all the benefits they provide for the environment and for people. Davey's sponsorship has brought the association much more than just funds to support this popular program. It is further reported that Davey sponsors the National Register of Big Trees because it identifies the giants, but more importantly, because it brings into focus the value of all trees.