By Jim McCausland, Sunset Magazine

Sometimes I walk into the hardwood forest behind my house just to stand under the magnificent old bigleaf maple pictured at right. For sheer venerability, it's hard to beat. Perhaps that’s why I’m such a fan of American Forests' National Register of Big Trees.

The program's goal is to find and document the biggest tree of every species in the United States. They've been on the hunt for 69 years, and located 733 trees that they think are the biggest of their kinds. Of course, you may not agree. If you think you know one bigger in any species listed, you can nominate it, and perhaps unseat the reigning champ.

There are also many species currently without champs. Just find a big one, and your specimen will be registered as the biggest until somebody finds one bigger. Among species without champs are several willows, oaks, western sumacs, and ceanothus. Pick one and go for it.