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Champion Trees of Greater Kansas City at Linda Hall Library: Welcome

Linda Hall Library Grounds

Learn more about the Linda Hall Library's urban arboretum.

What is a Champion Tree?

A champion tree is the largest of its species. The trees are measured using American Forest points (AF points) using the trunk circumference, its height, and the width of the crown of the tree. A tree must be measured every decade in order to maintain its champion status. Trees that have totals within 5 points of each other are co-champions.

                      Trunk Circumference (inches) + Height (feet) + ¼ Average Crown Spread (feet) = Total Points.

More information on champion trees, the American Forests organization, and their efforts can be found here.

Champion Tree List

Aesculus hippocastanum 'Baumannii'
Double Flowered Horsechestnut
ID# 2-4-1 Plant Date: Pre-1956 - Origin Unknown
Year Measured: 2008 - Size: Cir. 91" Ht. 54' Spr. 40'

Fagus sylvatica 'Riversii'
Rivers Purple Beech
ID# 14-2-1  Plant Date:  1971 - Origin:  Rosehill Nursery
Year Measured:  2008 - Size:  Cir. 85" Ht. 43' Spr. 42"

Betula lenta
Sweet Birch
ID# 3-2-1 Plant date: 1971 – Origin: Rosehill Nursery
Year Measured: 2008 – Size: Cir. 29” Ht. 32’ Spr. 35’

Magnolia denudate
Yulan Magnolia
ID# 25-1-1 Plant date: 1968 – Origin: Rosehill Nursery
Year Measured: 2008 – Size: Cir. 22” Ht. 19’ Spr. 16’

Magnolia salicifolia
Anise Magnolia
ID# 25-5-1 Plant date: 1966 – Origin: Scanlon Nursery
Year Measured: 2008 – Size: Cir. 62” Ht. 32’ Spr. 29’

Quercus shumardii
Shymard Oak
ID# 34-21-1 Plant date: 1968 – Origin: Rosehill Nursery
Year Measured: 2008 – Size: Cir. 83” Ht. 61’ Spr. 45’

Eucommia ulmoides
Hardy Rubber Tree
ID# 13b-1-1 Plant date: 1975 – Origin: Raytown Nursery
Year Measured: 2008 – Size: Cir. 29” Ht. 26’ Spr. 33’

Cladrastis platycarpa
Japanese Yellowwood
ID# 9-2-1
Plant date: 1975 – Origin: Seedling donated by Don Hollingsworth
Year Measured: 2008 – Size: Cir. 27” Ht. 25’ Spr 20’

Maackia amurensis
Amur Maackia
ID# 24b-2-1
Plant date: 1995 - Origin: Musser Forests
Year Measured: 2011 - Size: Cir. 44” Ht. 31’ Spr. 40’

Sorbus alnifolia
Korean Mountainash
ID# 38-1-2
Plant date: 1990 - Origin: Wayside Gardens
Year Measured: 2008 - Size: Cir. 16” Ht. 24’ Spr. 21’

Corylus colurna
Turkish Hazel
ID# 10a-1-1
Plant date: 1990 - Origin: Arbor Village Nursery
Year Measured: 2010 - Size: Cir. 50” Ht. 35’ Spr. 33’

Carpinus laxiflora
Loose-flower Hornbeam
ID# 4-4-2
Plant date: 2000 - Origin: Arbor Village Nursery
Year Measured: 2011 - Size: Cir. 17” Ht. 24’ Spr. 25’

Syringa pekinensis
Chinese Tree Lilac
ID# 39-2-1
Plant date: 1991 - Origin: Arbor Village Nursery
Year Measured: 2009 - Size: Cir. 49” Ht. 30’ Spr. 40’

Acer miyabei
Miyabei Maple
ID# 1-24-1
Plant date: 1994 - Origin: Arbor Village Nursery
Year Measured: 2009 - Size: Cir. 59” Ht. 33’ Spr. 40’

Map of the Library's Champion Trees