Derek McIntosh loves big trees.
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So much so, that 11 years ago he established the National Register of Big Trees - an online archive which lists the largest of each Australian species.
The biggest and the best nominations are named 'champions', with points awarded based on a holistic formula that includes, circumference, height, and crown spread.
It's serious business, and Mr McIntosh's yearning to find the next best tree has taken him all over Australia.
On the weekend, it saw him staring at a very large bimble box on the side of the road on the outskirts of Gunnedah - Australia's newest champion tree.
Scientifically known as Eucalyptus populnea, this particular bimble box has a circumference of 4.63 metres and its height reaches 19 metres into the sky.
"The bimble box, a shiny, roundish leaf tree is so common and I don't think people realise there can be such a big specimen of it - and just a few minutes out of Gunnedah," Mr McIntosh said.
"Most people I've found are really interested and proud of their local trees, not necessarily the biggest... I'm, for the fun of it, into the biggest of the species.
"But most people really appreciate and enjoy their trees."
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The register uses the American National Forest System to determine the champion trees, a process established 80 years ago, which he described as a "rational way of comparing trees".
Turns out there are quite a few champion trees in our neck of the woods, too.
"The white box is another tree that is very common in the area and another local champ is a Narrow-leaved Ironbark in the Kerringle State Forest with a circumference of 4.23m and height 26m," he said.
The newest champion tree is located on the left side of the Kamilaroi Highway on the way out of Gunnedah towards Boggabri just past town's industrial state and the service station.
"If you drive out of Gunnedaha few minutes out towards Moree, right at the end of the last industrial area, there's a big embankment, it's just there," Mr McIntosh continued.
He encourages locals to put nominations in to the ever-growing register, which currently stores the details of 850 monster trees.
"I think it's important because it highlights the biggest of the species so you can be proud of your local bunya pine or hoop pine or apple tree or bimble box," he added
"I encourage locals to reach out."
Visit https://www.nationalregisterofbigtrees.com.au to view the full national register of big trees.