Each tree on the Fort Worth Botanic Garden (FWBG) Champion Tree Trail may not be a big tree as you would think a really big tree to be, but each are registered champions. A champion tree is defined as the largest of its species within a given region. Our region is defined as the Extended Dallas Fort-Worth Area and is made up of these particular trees and many just like them. Each of these champion trees are DFW Regional Champions where a couple are even registered State Champions.

The Fort Worth Botanic Garden located at 3220 Botanic Garden Boulevard Fort Worth, TX 76107 is the oldest botanic garden in the state of Texas. It is a lush 109-acre tapestry of dappled shade and vibrant splashes of color. It is home to these nine champion trees, and luxurious gardens with miles of easy walking trails affording close-up viewing and the areas best floral photographic opportunities.

This particular tree trail is on public land so it can be visited personally by you and your family or civic group. The map to the trees is shown below. The total walking distance starting from the Japanese Gardens parking lot is over 1-1/2 miles so it may take some time to complete the tour. For those who can't make the walk, for those who just want to take it easy and for a public record, we provide this Virtual Tour.

Instructions

To begin the FWBG Virtual Tour, click on the #1 pin on the map below. This pin is the end point of the blue line to the left (West). It coincides with the #1 tree in the Tree Details list on the left, the Japanese Zelkova. Clicking these pins displays pop-up balloons with the tree name and tree number so you may find them on the Tree Detail list on the left-side of the map. Clicking the Tree Name on Tree Detail list will display botanical, physical and photographic details of the chosen tree in a pop-up window. (This is the starting point for the walking tour along the FWBG Tree Trail as well.) Each numbered tree stop (push-pin) along the tour will have its own web page with photos, measurement data and botanical information for the tree at that location. Click the red pin, read the Tree Name on the pop-up balloon and click the corresponding Tree Name on the Tree Detail. That's it.

The map is live and interactive. You can zoom-in and zoom-out, move to another location by scrolling with your mouse or keyboard and select map or aerial photo views. You are your own tour guide and can return to the tour depot (the parking lot), visit the next tree or visit the previous tree at any time - without getting your shoes muddy. So sit back and enjoy the tour.

Walking Tour Directions

Since the trees are on city owned park land, the public can visit the trees within park operating hours. Fort Worth Botanic Garden information and maps maybe downloaded from their web site.

Start your tour from the Japanese Gardens parking lot. Walk west on the trail nearly 100 yards. On your right or to the north will be a few trees on a slightly, sloping grade. This is where we will start our tour. The following GIS (latitude and longitude) values are for those moderately adventurous folks with GPS units that want to "geotrek" through the gardens pointing out the trees.

#1 - Japanese Zelkova (lat: 32.73516N, long: 97.36686W)

#2 - Sawtooth Oak (lat: 32.73488N, long: 97.36767W)

Walk approximately 150 yards to the SE to just north of the Imagination Vegetable Garden you will find the next tree.

#3 - California Buckeye (lat: 32.73431N,long: 97.36648W)

Walk out to the Rock Springs Road and walk north to the Gardens Restaurant. On the West side is our next tree.

#4 - English Walnut (lat: 32.73699N, long: 97.36524W)

Across the street from the restaurant and the intersection of Old Garden Road and Rock Springs Road are our next two trees. The Magnolia is set back in off the road. The Jujube is only about 15 feet off the road.

#5 - Southern Magnolia (lat: 32.73619N, long: 97.36474W)

#6 - Jujube (lat: 32.73650N, long: 97.36470W)

About 400 yards northward up Old Garden road, just north of the Texas Garden club along the creek is our next tree.

#7 - Lacey Oak (lat: 32.73899N, Long: 97.36389W)

About 80 yards due east and across from the Texas Garden Club building was our next tree. It is deceased from extensive storm damage. The remains are below ground adding much needed nutrients to the soil. RIP Ms Hawthorn.

#8 - Green Hawthorn (lat: 32.73917N, long: 97.36349W)

Our last tree on the tour is found about another 80 yards NE near the corner of Old Garden Road and Botanic Garden Road.

#9 - Oklahoma Redbud (lat: 32.74005N, 97.36284W)

Take Old Garden Road back to Rock Springs Road, turn right at the Gardens restaurant, then continue to the Japanese Gardens parking lot to return to your vehicle. Preferably, you can continue exploring the rest of what the Garden has to offer. There is plenty of beauty and splendor to go around. Don't forget to eat a bite at the Gardens Restaurant