Photo Contest sponsored by City and County park departments

How many times have you been out in the woods or driving down the highway and spotted a strange looking tree or plant and wished you had a camera? Or you saw the clouds making an unusual picture in the sky? Now’s your chance to document these freaky formations only Mother Nature could love and possibly win a prize.

Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation and Allen County Parks encourage you to get out your digital cameras, put on your hiking boots, and search for peculiar nature formations. For instance, sometimes tree trunks have bizarre shapes or gourds resemble the face of a famous person. This contest is an outgrowth of an Indiana Department of Natural Resources contest for weirdest trees. For examples of some weirdly shaped trees, visit http://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/files/fo-InvasionWeirdTrees_2008.pdf

Here are the rules:

  • The formation must be within Allen County
  • The formation must be natural forming (not the result of pruning or other manipulation)
  • Pictures should be digital and sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  • The formation’s location information must accompany the picture
  • One photo entry per person
  • Photographer’s name, email, phone and address accompany picture
  • Picture must be received no later than April 1, 2010


A panel of arborists and park officials will judge photos for the weirdest formation in Allen County, and will announce the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners.

So get out there and find the best example of a weird formation. We will announce the winners at the Arbor Day press conference April 30th, 2010.

We have some great prizes this year! First place winners will receive a one-day admission ticket to the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo for 2 adults and 2 children, including a pass for 12 free rides. And to add to the fun, the first place winner will also receive their preference of either an individual or family Annual Pass to Allen County Parks. Second and third place winners will receive their choice of either a free swim ticket to any of the Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation pools, or a complimentary ticket for a 9 or 18 hole round of golf at Foster, McMillen or Shoaff Golf Course.

For more information about trees in general, and Fort Wayne’s status as a Tree City USA, visit www.fortwayneparks.org . Also visit http://allencountyparks.org for tree and contest information.