Champion Trees and Trails

What makes a “Champion Tree?”

Oklahoma’s Champion Tree Register is a cooperative project of the Oklahoma Society of American Foresters, the Oklahoma Forestry Association and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, forestry Services.

Champion Trees are measured by their “bigness,” which is calculated based on three measurements – circumference, height and crown spread. The total points a tree receives is the sum of the circumference, the total height, one quarter of the average crown spread.

Idabel, located in southeast Oklahoma, is fortunate to be the home of nine Champion Trees and two honorable mentions. The beautiful trees featured in this brochure are located on private property and visible on a drive-by tour. – Please respect the property owner’s rights and do not trespass.

The Dogwood Trails

The Idabel area is also the home of thousands of beautiful dogwood trees. A “Dogwood Days” Festival was established in 1994, and is held in early April. Citizens and businesses have already planted hundreds of new dogwoods and set a goal to plant thousands in the next 10 years, adding even more beauty to the flowering dogwoods that are already growing in the area.

Dogwood Trails in Idabel are identified on a map. Visitors can also drive around and enjoy the springtime beauty of the dogwoods all over McCurtain County.