Alabama has a new champion… Magnolia tree

Tuscaloosa has often been called Title Town, thanks to many championship wins from the University of Alabama’s sports teams. Now, Tuscaloosa can add another championship to its list: Largest Southern magnolia tree.

On Thursday, the tree located at Bryce Reserve on the UA campus was declared the largest in the state by a crew from the Alabama Forestry Commission as part of the commission’s Alabama Champion Tree Program.

A group from the commission travels around the state to discover, recognize and preserve the largest trees of each species in the state.

UA Landscape Architect Bonner Lee said it’s exciting and gives credit to the Landscaping Ground Advisory Committee, University Grounds and the University Tree Crews.

Soon a permanent marker will be placed at the base of the tree acknowledging the achievement.

Along with the the having the Alabama Champion tree, the university was also recognized for the eight consecutive years as a Tree Campus USA school.

This designation is given by the Arbor Day Foundation. It recognizes colleges and universities that promote healthy trees and conservation efforts.

UA’s Southern Magnolia tree beat out a tree in Florence.