Turn Recyclables 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 Clevenger Park (Bench Blvd).
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 |