It’s back, bigger and madder than ever! Big Tree Madness 2014 kicks off today, giving visitors to American Forests’ Facebook page the chance to vote for which national champion tree should be this year’s Ultimate Big Tree.

Today’s match-up, the first of the Sweet Sixteen, is between Connecticut’s “Unbelievable” Umbrella Magnolia and Virginia’s Willow “WOW!” Oak. Both trees come with an abundance of history:

The umbrella magnolia, known as the “Saltonstall Magnolia,” is the largest in a grove that was planted by the Yale School of Forestry before 1950, possibly in the 1920s or 1930s, as part of their experimentation with different species. Today, the area is protected as part of a reservoir watershed, and has grown into a forest.

The willow oak has traded national champion status back and forth another willow oak in Chesapeake. Both trees were measured in 2013, and this tree was found to be larger. It’s located within walking distance of the historic Eastville Courthouse, home of the oldest continuous court records in the nation. And as the tree is not currently endangered by building projects or highway changes, we hope it will continue to accrue history for many more years.

So, which of these incredible trees should go on to the Elite Eight for a chance to go all the way and become this year’s Ultimate Big Tree? It’s up to you. Visit our Facebook page to vote. Voting closes on the match at 10:00 a.m. on March 18th. But the fun doesn’t end then. Tune in for Game 2 to cast your vote between national champions from Utah and Arizona.

Get the full scoop on Big Tree Madness rules and guidelines at www.americanforests.org/bigtreemadness.