Commission sets Sept. 30 deadline for big-tree contest; form and measurements to be posted

The Stowe Urban Forestry Commission set a Sept. 30 submission deadline for its seasonal big-tree contest and agreed to focus the contest on evergreens or conifers. Commissioners discussed measurement rules, submission logistics and outreach at the July 14 meeting.

Commissioners said they would use a simple set of measurements and emphasized canopy spread as the primary metric for this year’s contest after past experience showed height measurements were difficult and inconsistent. Members discussed pulling measuring guidance from prior handouts and using the commission's Urban Forestry email and an online form (Microsoft Forms was suggested) to accept entries, photos and location details.

The group debated who may nominate a tree. Commissioners said a nominee does not necessarily have to own the property where a tree stands; renters may nominate trees. The commission also discussed the need for applicants to grant permission for commission volunteers to access private property to take measurements, and to provide address, contact information and a photograph with submissions. Commissioners said they would conduct due diligence to confirm property lines and ensure nominated trees are present before declaring winners.

The commission discussed timing: opening the form in August, accepting entries through September, evaluating entries in October–November, and awarding winners in late November or December. They talked about leaving multiple weeks for submissions to increase participation and about coordinating the form posting with municipal staff or Parks and Recreation.

Logistics discussed included: using a shared online form to collect required fields, enabling photo uploads, requiring a statement that submission allows a commission member to enter the property for measurements, and routing submissions to commissioners (email or shared folder). Commissioners also agreed to review and finalize the posting text together before public release.

The transcript shows no formal vote on the contest parameters; rather, these were agreed by discussion and scheduling during the meeting. Several members emphasized outreach to attract more nominations than in prior years.