While walking under the canopies of trees at Boyce Thompson Arboretum, have you ever stopped and wondered exactly how tall a tree is? BTA is a unique tree sanctuary and home to five Arizona and National Champion Trees, including our famous “Mr. Big”, a red gum eucalyptus, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, which is the largest of its species in the United States.

But what makes Mr. Big so special? If you’re curious about trees and their roles in the desert ecosystem, register for the Magnificent Tree Workshop on Saturday, February 24, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. BTA is proud to partner with the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (AZDFFM) to host this specialized workshop focusing on the Arizona Magnificent Trees Program which connects people to trees, increases awareness of the field of forestry, and encourages people to pay attention to trees as critical ecosystem species. 

In this workshop participants will learn about what it means when a tree is designated a Champion, Heritage, or Witness Tree and will gain hands-on practice using professional forestry tools to measure tree height, canopy, and trunk circumference. For parts of the workshop, participants will be outside in a natural, semi-desert environment.

This 3-hour workshop is open to the public and requires pre-registration as space is limited. If you are interested in participating but cannot pay the fee for any reason, email angela.seidler@btarboretum.org to inquire about financial assistance.

Please allow extra travel time due to traffic congestion along the US-60 for the Arizona Renaissance Festival.