POULSBO — Little Norway has something new to crow about and it doesn’t have anything to do with lutefisk.

This month, Puget Sound Energy community forester Jim Trainer verified that a Poulsbo area resident’s 50-acre property may contain not one, but two Champion Trees — a Western white pine and a black cottonwood.

Champion Trees are those that are the largest surviving members of their species, either on a county, state or national level. The American Forestry Association has maintained the national record of these trees since 1940. The University of Washington’s Robert Van Pelt spearheads Washington’s list, which is published periodically through the University of Washington Press.

Kitsap County currently has about seven state champion trees.

The Poulsbo area pine is estimated to be about 150-feet high with a 13-foot 4-inch circumference and a 35-foot crown. Trainer estimated it is more than 300 years old.

The potentially 250-year-old cottonwood is estimated at about 130-feet with a 16-foot 1-inch circumference and an 85-foot crown.

“These are very big trees,” Trainer commented. “I can definitely say that these two trees are Kitsap County Champion Trees — there are none bigger in the county — in state standings, we’re probably talking number three or four.”

Trainer, who says he’s always looked for large trees, says the two nominees’ actual standing will be determined once VanPelt is able to come out and measure them. Demand is high for VanPelt’s stamp of approval on trees across the state but Trainer said he thinks the North Kitsap trees could be officially measured any time in the next month or two.

“He’s always excited to hear there’s big trees over here and he’s always happy to come measure them,” Trainer said of VanPelt.

Trainer commented that the Poulsbo cottonwood is an especially rare find in the Champion Tree circuit. That’s because the species, most often used for pulp, is known for its fast growing cycle but not for its longevity.

“The trees that grow fast tend to die fast,” he explained.

The potential champion Western white pine is also a special case because it is the only one of its species in the area it was found. The owner of the property, who asked that his name and location be kept confidential for safety reasons, said the land has been logged five times — including three “salvage” loggings — but for some reason, the single pine was spared the blade every time.

“And it’s going to stay that way because I’m not going to bother it and the next generation won’t bother it,” the landowner said. “Mother Nature is going to have to take it down because it’s going to stand here long into the future.”

Though Champion Trees tend to be an awe-inspiring sight next to their counterparts, getting trees on local registries is more than just a matter of novelty. Through such designations, Trainer and his colleagues hope to achieve things like heritage tree designations, which carry with them protection for the specimen, conservation districts and even propagation from Champion Tree clippings.

“At one time, these kinds of trees were all over the county, so the ones that are left now are very precious and very special,” explained Irwin Kringsman of the Illahee Forest Stewardship. “The few that are remaining, if they’re gone, we’ll never see anything like that again. Just look at the history that’s taken place from when that tree was a sapling to now.”

Trainer recently spoke with the Poulsbo Tree Board about his efforts and said he is hoping the group will write a letter in support of proposing a heritage tree program through Kitsap County. Trainer said he’s also hoping to work with Poulsbo Parks and Recreation to put together a guided Champion Tree tour this spring or summer.