Group Seeks National Tree

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) â€” Redwoods hold the distinction in California. The buckeye does in Ohio. In Nebraska, it's the cottonwood. <br><br>All 50 states have designated an official tree over the years,

Friday, January 12th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) â€” Redwoods hold the distinction in California. The buckeye does in Ohio. In Nebraska, it's the cottonwood.

All 50 states have designated an official tree over the years, and the best trivia buffs can rattle off their names.

But what's the official national tree? Stumped?

While the United States has a national anthem, national flag and national flower, this land of 50 state trees does not have its own official tree â€” at least not yet.

The National Arbor Day Foundation, the group behind the tree-planting holiday, is asking people to vote for the tree that should hold the national distinction.

``As people, our symbols matter,'' said John Rosenow, foundation president. ``Having a national tree will call everyone's attention to the importance of our trees and our natural resources that are ours to care for.''

The foundation is accepting votes by mail or on its Web site, http://www.arborday.org, through April 26, with the winning tree announced the next day, Arbor Day.

Twenty-one trees are on the ballot. The foundation dedicated to tree planting and environmental stewardship came up with the nominees from the genera and species of the 50 states' trees.

The most popular state tree is the pine, some form of which is designated as official in eight states. Seven states recognize a species of oak, and five states honor maples.

``One of the special things about the process we're taking is that we ultimately expect this will be a congressionally designated emblem,'' Rosenow said.

Congress would need to act to make it official â€” something that doesn't happen often.

Joint House-Senate resolutions were introduced in 1990, 1991 and 1992 that would have named the oak tree as the national arboreal emblem, but those proposals stalled in committee.

The Arbor Day Foundation hopes the winner in its vote would be recognized as the national tree by the general public, even if Congress does not get around to naming it so.

``The difference between the flag and apple pie is kind of like that,'' said Jeff Connor, a spokesman for Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb.

It wasn't until 1986 that Congress decided on a national flower â€” the rose. The only other official U.S. designations by Congress are the national anthem, the flag and the national march song, ``Stars and Stripes Forever.''

The bald eagle was adopted as part of the national seal in 1782, but Congress has never named the stately bird as an official national symbol.