To encourage appreciation of our big mature trees, we are launching a friendly and fun competition to find a Maple tree in Helena, MT with the biggest circumference! The winner can take home a $200 gift certificate to Gardenwerks- enough to purchase your very own tree!

Eligibility Rules:

1. Tree must be in Helena Montana (city limits)

2. Tree must be an Elm species!

3. You must be a Growing Friends Member

4. Tree circumference must be measured at 4.5 feet (roughly chest height) from the ground.

How do you become a member? Our members, over 250 of them, support us by contributing an annual donation.    Our organization is run solely by these donations and our all-volunteer board of directors.  You can sign up to become a member and provide a donation on our website or mail $20 or more to Growing Friends of Helena, PO Box 709, Helena, MT 59624,  

Competition rules:

1. Take a picture of your tree and tell us the total circumference of the tree. Send this picture and total circumference to our PO box or to our email [email protected]

2. Include your name and contact information

3. Tell us the location of the tree

4. If possible, identify the type of elm (must be an ulmus- no hackberries!)

5. Deadline: November 1st, 2024 (electronic or by mail).

6. Show up at our annual members meeting on November 7th from 6:30-8PM at Ten Mile Brewery.

We will announce the winner there!