BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —

Red Mountain Park in Birmingham has been honored as having Alabama's newest Champion Tree.

The Alabama Forestry Commission officially recognized a majestic green hawthorn tree (Crataegus viridis) as the largest of its kind in Alabama.

The announcement was made during an event Wednesday in which a commemorative plaque was given to park volunteer Larry Stephens, who nominated the tree.

"So altogether it was a remarkable tree. It was quite old, it was very large and so then I decided to nominate it, to be able to get attention," Stephens said.

The forestry commission has picked champion trees since 1970 and uses a formula of three size measurements, circumference, height, and average crown spread, to pick the winner.

A news release stated the tree's story dates back t

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