This Mammoth Minnesota Tree Now Holds A National Record

We may be known for our 10,000 lakes, but this tree growing right here in Minnesota is now the holder of a mammoth national record.

Here in the North Star State, we're used to placing near the top of lists concerning Quality of Life, Healthcare, Education, and many other things, right? Well, as it turns out, we're also at the top of the list when it comes to having massive trees, as well.

Our story starts back in 2018, when a mammoth jack pine tree (just one of the 52 species of trees the DNR says call the Bold North home, btw) was confirmed to be the tallest in the United States. It's still growing right here in Minnesota, at Voyageurs National Park.

The MPR story details how researchers from the University of Minnesota initially ran across the giant pine tree while tracking Minnesota's wolf population. Even though it's in the middle of a forest, the tree is tough to miss-- the story says it stands 73 feet tall, with a trunk that's nearly 7 feet around, and is estimated to be between 300 and 400 years old.

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But that tree, impressive though it is, lost its record as the biggest jack pine tree in the U.S. to ANOTHER Minnesota tree, this one growing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW).

According to the Quatico Superior Wilderness News (QSWN), the new tree was spotted by contract ecologists working for the U.S. Forest Service in 2020. And while it actually is somewhat shorter than the Voyageurs tree, it's been given the title of Biggest Jack Pine Tree in America.

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How does that work? According to QSWN, champion trees are scored on three areas: height, trunk circumference, and crown spread. The Boundary Waters jack pine scored a total of 167 points, which is two more than the Voyageurs tree. It picked up those extra points thanks to its 95-inch trunk, which is 17 inches larger than the Voyageurs tree.

The competition was sooo close between the two trees, QSWN noted, that the state of Minnesota named them co-champions. But the nonprofit group American Forests, which manages the official Champion Tree National Register, crowned the Boundary Waters tree as the title holder.

QSWN also noted that the new Biggest Jack Pine Tree is in an extremely remote area of the BWCAW, so seeing it in person likely isn't feasible. However, if your ARE looking to spend some time in a remote area of Minnesota keep scrolling to check out an amazing cabin that's only accessible by boat!

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