Big Tree Records was founded Doug Morris in 1970. Morris is one of the most successful record label managers in the industry. Before he started Big Tree, he was general manager at Laurie. After Big Tree, he became president of Atco Records, president of Atlantic Records, president of Warner Music U.S., Chairman & CEO of MCA, then Universal Music Group, and since 2011 he serves as Chairman & CEO of Sony Music. He was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Big Tree was initially distributed by Ampex Records from 1970 to 1971, and then by Bell Records from 1972 to 1973. Morris sold the label to Atlantic Records in 1974, and became co-chairman of Atlantic. The label continued to operate as a subsidiary of Atlantic, until Atlantic shut the label down in 1980.