In honor of Arbor Day, the Homer Glen Environment Committee is searching for the biggest trees in the Village of Homer Glen. Nominations for every species of living tree that exists are encouraged to be submitted. Verification of measurement will be made by the Environment Committee. The largest tree of each species will receive recognition. Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to search in forests, parks, and private property with permission of the property owner in the Village of Homer Glen.

To compare trees, the circumference of each tree is to be measured at 54 inches from the ground level. This year's nominations must surpass tree champions recognized in 2018. Measurements of the current list of big tree champions is as follows:

• Ash - 72"
• Bald Cypress - 60"
• Black Walnut - 146.5"
• Burr Oak - 144"
• Common Buckeye - 50"
• Eastern Cottonwood - 99.5"
• Hard Maple - 99"
• Japanese Maple - 35"
• Musclewood - 11"
• Red Oak - 128"
• River Birch - 46"
• Shagbark Hickory - 65.5"
• Silver Maple - 132"
• Sugar Maple - 122"
• Sycamore - 50"
• Tulip - 94.5"
• Weeping Willow - 67"
• White Oak - 137"
• Wild Black Cherry - 102"

Submit a Big Tree Champion Application form to ssteilen@homerglenil.org or mail to Big Tree Champion Contest, Village of Homer Glen, 14240 W. 151st Street, Homer Glen, IL  60491. Nominations are due on April 30, 2019.