A total of 825 national champion trees are listed in American Forest's recently released 1998-99 National Register of Big Trees. Currently, 139 new national champions consisting of 125 species in 23 states are in the Register. The states with the most new champs include Arizona (30), Florida (20), and California (17). The Southeast region (49) had the most new champs.

Familiar favorite national champs like "General Sherman," the Giant sequoia in Sequoia National Park, California reigned once again. According to American Forests, this is the largest living thing in the world and is about as heavy as 360 elephants. It would take 15 people with hands joined to make a circle around it.

Deborah Gangloff, American Forests Executive Director explained that, "As the largest and oldest living things, trees inspire us. But there are even better reasons to help trees reach their full potential. Trees double their environmental benefits after 35 years." She continued, "That means twice as much improvement to air and water quality, twice as much wildlife habitat, and twice as much carbon sequestered to help show global warming."

For more information, call 800-545-TREE or log on to American Forest's website at www.amfor.org.