Turn Trash Into Trees
Since the inception of this program in 1980, 3.9 million pounds of newspapers and 68 tons of aluminum cans have been collected. $112,060.00 has been earned to purchase and plant 2,152 trees.
There are 3 Trash for Trees locations in Billings. In the Parking Lot of Stewarts Park(26th St. W), Veterans Park ( 13th St W), and Castle Rock Park (Wicks Lane).
Billings Big Tree Program
Billings has some amazing trees. The Billings Big tree program is a way to celebrate trees. Several Billings trees are State champions.
Anyone can nominate a tree for the Billings Big Tree Program. To nominate a Big tree in Billings please provide as many measurements of the tree as possible with pictures if available to forestry@billingsmt.gov.
For a tree to be considered a Big Tree it must attain a point score that is higher than the previous held record. Points are given for tree height in feet, circumference in inches, and 1/4 average crown spread (crown spread should be taken at the widest spread and at the narrowest spread) .
Example: Tree Height= 78 ft + circumference = 128″ + (average crown spread= 64ft /4)= 16 ft= 222 total points
List of Billings Big Trees
| Type | Size | Nominator |
|---|---|---|
| American Linden, Tilia americana | 67’ Tall, 83.5” Around, 11.75’ Wide (1/4 average crown spread) = 162.25 Points | Fred Bicha |
| **Black Walnut, Juglans nigra | 61’ Tall, 113” Around, 19’ Wide (1/4 average crown spread) = 193 Points | Steve Riley |
| **Bur Oak, Quercus macrocarpa | 86’ Tall, 124” Around, 18.75’ Wide (1/4 average crown spread) = 228.75 Points | Mike Garvey |
| Bur Oak, Quercus macrocarpa Notable Mention (possibly a hybrid species) | 67’ Tall, 125” Around, 15.9’ Wide (1/4 average crown spread) = 207.97 Points | Barb Popelka |
| **Catalpa, Catalpa speciosa | 59’ Tall, 126” Around, 9.9’ Wide (1/4 average crown spread) = 113 Points | Steve Riley |
| Ginkgo, Ginkgo biloba | 32’ Tall, 83.5” Around, 11.75’ Wide (1/4 average crown spread) = 162.25 Points | Mike Garvey |
| Hackberry, Celtis occidentalis | 70’ Tall, 93.41” Around, 13.58’ Wide (1/4 average crown spread) = 176.99 Points | Mike Garvey |
| Honey Locust, Gleditsia tricanthos var. inermis | 73.5’ Tall, 91.06” Around, 13.66’ Wide (1/4 average crown spread) = 178.22 Points | Mike Garvey |
| Ohio Buckeye | 43’ Tall, 83.5” Around, 11.75’ Wide (1/4 average crown spread) = 162.25 Points | Fred Bicha |
| Plains Cottonwood | 113’ Tall, 365.5” Around, 24.75’ Wide (1/4 average crown spread) = 503.25 Points | Harley ODonnell |
| Red Maple, Acer rubrum | 51’ Tall, 51.5” Around, 10.5’ Wide (1/4 average crown spread) = 113 Points | Steve Riley |
| **Sycamore, Platanus occidentalis (possibly a hybrid species) | 70’ Tall, 74.14” Around, 11.2’ Wide (1/4 average crown spread) = 155.2 Points | Fred Bicha |