Great
Eastern Trees, Past and Present
Colby B. Rucker
February 2004
Although trees of all sizes can be of interest, it is the largest trees that truly capture our attention. Many of these giants are landmarks, and some have a connection with some historic event. Many of the largest trees are quite old, and nearing the end of their life. Although the Wye Oak reigned as the national champion for over sixty years, most champions yield their place to new specimens comparatively quickly. Many grand old trees no longer exist, and it is often difficult to determine their actual size, structure or history.
From the earliest sources to the present, a frequent lack of uniformity or accuracy in measuring makes it difficult to determine the actual size of trees, including those that are the most famous. Measurements of trees taken from older national and state registries may be in error. Some trees accepted as champions were actually multiple-trunked specimens. Trunks were often measured below breast height, many heights were greatly exaggerated, and spreads were often maximums or aggregates, not averages. I have added comments regarding the actual size of such trees. In recent years, American Forests, Americas oldest national conservation organization, has made a concerted effort to expand and refine their National Registry of Big Trees. To insure greater accuracy, American Forests is developing new guidelines for measuring trees and checking nominations. Many state big-tree programs have made similar changes.
I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to American Forests for their kind permission to use extensive information from the National Register of Big Trees and other American Forests publications. I am also most grateful to Robert T. Leverett, Michael Davie, Will Blozan, Ed Nizalowski and other members of the Eastern Native Tree Society for additional information on exceptional trees.
Much information regarding interesting old trees has been gathered from books, newspaper articles and the Internet. State and national big-tree registries are a particularly valuable source of information. Some of these are here included as references. Most of the trees in the following list are twenty feet or more in circumference at breast height, which is four and a half feet above grade, abbreviated to cbh. Properly, the spread is the average of the two greatest crown spreads that are at right angles to each other. A descriptive name has been assigned to many trees, but only underlined names are in common usage. The states are arranged in a geographical order, which facilitates comparisons of many of the species common to those general regions.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Yellow Birch. National champion 1983-2002: CBH 21 0, ht. 76, spr. 91. Deer Isle.
ref.: American Forests, National Register of Big Trees, 2000, p. 34 (photo).
Comments: This tree
has divergent branches, but no central leader above a short trunk. It does not appear to be a coppice, but
multiple hearts are likely at breast height.
Girth probably taken below breast height, so the Rule of 73 should be
applied.
Silver Maple. National champion 1945-1966: CBH 22 10, ht. 90, spr. 110. Fryeburg Harbor.
STATE
CHAMPIONS
Herbie American elm. CBH 20 0, ht. 93, spr. 110. Located in Yarmouth.
ref.: Internet. Wright, Virginia. Champion of Trees, American Profile, January 4-10, 2004.
STATE
CHAMPIONS
Northern Red Oak. State champion list as (1990) circumference (at 4) 21 6, ht.82, spr. 92. Shaftsbury, Bennington Co.
Northern Red Oak.
State champion list as (1993) circumference (at 4) 20 0, ht. 85, spr
127. Tinmouth, Rutland Co.
GREAT
TREES OF THE PAST
Hampton Elm. American elm. Locally famous tree located on Elmwood Corner, on Winnacunnet Road, in Hampton. In 1946, it measured 25 in circumference at the ground, and 22 4 six feet up. Diagnosed with Dutch elm disease in 1956, cut down in 1960, when a ring count showed it to be 176 years old.
ref.: Internet. Hampton: A Century of Town and Beach, 1888-1988. (Chapter 18, Part 3)
Sugar Maple. Once said to be the largest tree in New England. Circumference at grade 28. Forked at 17, diameter of larger lead 4 at 51 above grade, circumference smaller 11 6 at 56 above grade. Total height 96. The tree fell in 1846; it yielded 3300 board feet of lumber and nine cords of firewood. Located on the farm of Joseph Hobbs, Esq., Ossipee, Stafford Co.
ref.: New York Farmer and Mechanic, April 1846. (courtesy of Ed Nizalowski, 7/26/2003)
White Pine. A pine cut long ago on the site of Dartmouth College was said to have been 240 tall. Although many doubt the species is capable of attaining such a height, the legend has persisted.
ref.: Lane, Ferdinand C., 1953. The Story of Trees, pp. 67-68.
GREAT
TREES OF THE PAST
Hubbard Elm. American elm. CBH (ca. 1921) 24 5, ht. 98, spr. 65. Once located in North Andover, the tree is presumed dead.
ref.: Illick, 1927. Common Trees of Massachusetts, p.11.
Lafayette Elm. American elm. Historic tree. CBH (ca. 1921) 20 7, ht. 75, spr. 110. Stood in Ware; now presumed dead.
ref.: Illick 1927. Common Trees of Massachusetts, p.11.
Rugg Elm. American elm. Circumference (1921) 25 ½ feet at point of trunk division. ht. 70, spr. 145. Framingham. Tree is presumed dead.
ref.: Illick, 1927. Common Trees of Massachusetts, p.12.
Comments: Illicks description suggests this was a double tree, probably a coppice.
GREAT SYCAMORES OF MASSACHUSETTS
Hatfield Sycamore. Measurements by Leverett & Blozan 10/26/03: CBH 23 11.0, ht. 117.1, spr. 129, pts. 436. The trunk is 5.4 in diameter at a height of 22.4, above which it first branches. Main Street, Hatfield.
Pocumtuck Buttonwood. (Deerfield Sycamore). Measurements by Leverett & Blozan 10/26/03). CBH 21 8.5, ht. 122.1, spr. 112, pts. 411. Located in Old Deerfield.
Shaker Sycamore. CBH 20.0, ht. 90.2. (measurements by Leverett).
Sunderland Buttonwood. American sycamore. Historic tree. Measurement ca. 1921: CBH ca. 20 6, ht. 100, spr. 100. Measurement by Leverett & Blozan, 10/26/03: CBH 24 11.0, ht. 114.4, maximum spr. 153; average spr. 143, pts. 449. This roadside tree has four large upcurving leads above about eighteen feet of massive trunk. It is marked by a bronze plaque on a stone base. Located on Route 47, north of its intersection with Route 116.
ref.: Illick, 1927. Common Trees of Massachusetts, p. 12.
West Springfield Sycamore. CBH 19.2, ht. 102. (measurements by Leverett). West Springfield.
MASSACHUSETTS NATIONAL
CHAMPIONS
Northern Red Oak. National champion 1983-1986: CBH 26 6, ht. 98, spr. 102. 1999-2001: CBH 28 6, ht. 134, spr. 81. Buckland, Franklin Co.
Comments: The claimed height of 134 feet is excessive for the northeast, and the increase from 98 feet suggests an error due to false top triangulation. Outpointed by a New York coppice with three well-separated trunks.
MASSACHUSETTS STATE CHAMPIONS
GREAT
TREES OF THE PAST
Sycamore. A sycamore that fell in 1869 was said to be 32 feet in girth. The location is unknown.
ref.: Lamb, Frank H., 1939. Book of the Broadleaf Trees. p. 249.
GREAT TREES OF THE PAST
Wethersfield Elm. American elm. National champion: CBH 30 3, ht. 97, spr. ca. 140. Measurements 1930: CBH 29 6, ht. ca. 100, spr. ca. 150. Located in Wethersfield. Damaged by the hurricane of 1938. Died 1950.
ref.: Lamb, Frank H., 1939. Book of the Hardwood Trees. p.193 (photo).
ref.: American Forests, September 1955, p.36 (photo).
ref.: Grimm, William C., 1967. Familiar Trees of America, p. 132.
Comments: A massive
tree with seven leads above a compact but well-defined trunk. This was one of the largest of Americas
great elms. Peattie (1950), p.240,
states the girth at breast height was 41 feet, an obvious error.
Charter Oak. White oak. Historic tree, very old and hollow. Said to have been 33 feet in circumference at the base. Blown down August 21, 1856. In 1907, a monument was erected nearby at Charter Oak Avenue and Charter Oak Place, in Hartford. Artifacts are on display in the State Library.
ref.: Randall, Charles Edgar and Henry Clepper, 1976. Famous and Historic Trees. The American Forestry Association, pp. 4, 6 (image of well-known painting).
Ledyard Oak. White oak. Circumference 21 feet, spread 105 feet. Estimated to be 400 years old. Located in Ledyard. Tree and 11 acres were deeded to the town ca. 1960. The tree died in 1968.
ref.: From an Acorn, Maryland Living, Baltimore News American, 6/8/1969.
SOME CONNECTICUT NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Butternut.
National champion 1998: CBH 21 7, ht. 78, spr. 76. State champion list as (1998) CBH 21 7,
ht. 78, spr. 77. Chester.
ref.: Davey/American Forests calendar, September 2004 (photo).
Comments: From the
photograph, this tree forks 10-12 feet up, with a deep furrow extending to the
ground. Despite the high fork, it
appears this tree is double-hearted, perhaps of coppice origin.
American Elm. Dead. National champion, April 1941: CBH 28 0, ht. 147, spr. 97. Middletown. Presumed dead.
ref: American Forests, Jan/Feb 1990. National Register of Big Trees, p. 4.
Sugar Maple. National champion 1984-1990: CBH 22 5, ht. 91, spr. 80. National champion 1994: CBH 22 5, ht. 58, spr. 72. Norwich.
Comments: Note 36% reduction in height measurement.
Black Oak. National champion 1989-1998 CBH 25 8, ht. 84 spr. 95. 1999-2001: CBH 26 10, ht. 86, spr. 105. New Gate Road, East Granby.
ref.: American Forests, National Register of Big Trees, February 1992, p. 10 (photo).
ref.: American Forests, National Register of Big Trees, Winter 1996, p. 26 (photo).
Comments: Although
the crown of this tree gives no suggestion of great age, the thick-barked trunk
flares to a surprisingly great circumference.
The trunk may be hollow, thereby stimulating the exceptional girth.
Northern Red Oak.
National champion 1965-1966: CBH 26 4, ht. 78, spr. 104. State champion list as (1998) CBH 27 9,
ht. 68, spr. 61. Ashford.
Eastern Cottonwood. State champion list as (1997) 20 10, ht. 108, spr. 114. Greenwich.
Silver Maple. State champion list as (1986) CBH 23 11, ht. 81, spr. 99. Ridgefield.
White Oak. State champion list as (1998) CBH 22 6, ht. 79, spr. 108, pts. 370. West Hartford.
Pinchot Sycamore. (Gifford Pinchot Sycamore). Largest American sycamore in Connecticut. CBH 27.0, ht. 96.6(measurement by Leverett). State champion list as (1998) CBH 27 0, ht. 95, spr. 140, pts 454. Located off Route 85, on the east bank of the Farmington River, in Simsbury. Tree dedicated in 1965 in honor of Gifford Pinchot, who was born in Simsbury in 1865.
ref.: Randall, Charles Edgar and Henry Clepper, 1976. Famous and Historic Trees. The American Forestry Association, p. 63.
Comments: This tree has four very large spreading limbs and a central lead above about eight feet of massive trunk. The largest limb is 13 in circumference.
Tuliptree. State champion list as (1991) CBH 24 5, ht. 104, spr. 72. Pomfret.
Dewey-Granby Oak. White oak. CBH 19 feet, height 72 feet (measured by Leverett, Beluzo & Knuerr 3/26/2001). Maximum spread said to be 130 feet. Day Street, Granby, Hartford Co.
Comments: This stocky oak is significant for its age and picturesque low-spreading limb structure, with at least two large limbs resting on the ground.
Little Pinchot Sycamore. American sycamore. CBH 19.3, ht. 95.0 (measurement by Leverett). Tree about 100 yards from Pinchot Sycamore. Simsbury.
American Chestnut. Girth (1921) 26 feet. Located at Esopus (ca. 15 miles NNW of Poughkeepsie). Tree died before 1927.
ref.: Illick, Joseph S. 1927. Common Trees of new York, p.12.
Gowanda Elm. American elm. Said to have been New Yorks largest tree. Circumference (1921) 34 2. Circumference reputed to have been 39 feet near the ground, and the trunk clear for fifty feet, where it was 20 feet in girth. Height 100 feet. Estimated to contain 17,000 board feet of lumber. Located in Gowanda, Cattaraugus County. Tree now dead.
ref.: Illick, Joseph S. 1927. Common Trees of New York, pp. 10, 11.
ref.: Lane, Ferdinand C. 1953, The Story of Trees. p. 66.
ref.: Grimm, William C. 1967. Familiar Trees of America, p. 132.
Comments: Although the elevation of the 1921 measurement is unknown, the amount of clear trunk and board footage makes this one of the largest known elms.
Markham Elm. American elm. Reputed to be nearly 50 feet in circumference and 654 years old (before 1950). Also a claim of 40 feet. More reliably, Illick lists the girth (1921) as 18 feet. Owner: W. G. Markham, Avon, Livingston County. Tree is presumed dead.
ref.: Illick, Joseph S. 1927. Common Trees of New York, p. 11.
ref.: Peattie, Donald Culross 1950. A Natural History of Trees, p. 240.
ref.: Lane, Ferdinand C. 1953, The Story of Trees, p. 66.
Comments: It appears the reputation of this tree was due to measurements taken around the perimeter of a large basal flare.
American Elm. Circumference (1921) 25 feet (only 3 inches above grade). Located at Geneva, Ontario County. Tree is presumed dead.
ref.: Illick, Joseph S. 1927. Common Trees of New York, p. 11.
American Elm. Circumference (1921) 24 10 (3 feet up). Located at Italy Hollow.
ref.: Illick, Joseph S. 1927. Common Trees of New York, p. 11. Tree is presumed dead.
American Elm. Circumference (1921) 24 7. Located in Syracuse, Onondaga County.
ref.: Illick, Joseph S. 1927. Common Trees of New York, p. 12. Tree is presumed dead.
American Elm. Circumference (1921) 22 5. Located in Livonia, Livingston County.
ref.: Illick,
Joseph S. 1927. Common Trees of New
York, p. 12. Tree is presumed
dead.
American Elm. Circumfgerence (1921) 21 6. Located at Bath, Steuben Co.
ref.: Illick,
Joseph S. 1927. Common Trees of New
York, p. 12. Tree is presumed dead.
American Elm. Circumference (1921) 21 feet. Located in Savona, Steuben County.
ref.: Illick, Joseph S. 1927. Common Trees of New York, p. 12. Tree is presumed dead.
American Elm. Circumference (1921) 20 feet. Located in Gerry, Chatauqua County.
ref.: Illick, Joseph S. 1927. Common Trees of New York. Tree is presumed dead.
Washington Oak. Chestnut oak. This ancient tree is said to have been seven feet in diameter. George Washington is said to have mounted his horse here in 1783 enroute to his army at Fishkill. The tree stood on the east bank of the Hudson River at Presquile, near Fishkill-on-the-Hudson.
ref.: Mathews, F. Schuyler 1923. Familiar Trees and Their Leaves. p. 155.
ref.: Collingwood, G. H., and Warren D. Brush, 1947. Knowing Your Trees, The American Forestry Association, p. 224.
ref.: Collingwood, G. H., and Warren D. Brush, 1974. Knowing Your Trees, The American Forestry Association 1974, p. 238.
Comments: From the above references, the tree appeared to be living in 1947, but dead by 1974.
Wadsworth Oak. Swamp White Oak. Historic tree, site of 1797 treaty with Seneca Indians. The short trunk had a circumference of 27 feet in 1851. The height was 100 feet. Located on the Wadsworth estate, one mile from the village of Geneseo, Livingston County. The tree was located on the east bank of the Genesee River. It was destroyed in a flood in 1857 due to erosion of the bank of the river. A section of the trunk has been preserved and is displayed behind the Geneseo Historical Museum.
ref.: Mathews, F. Schuyler 1923. Familiar Trees and Their Leaves. p. 152.
ref.: Illick 1927, Common Trees of Massachusetts. p. 66.
ref.: Collingwood, G. H, and Warren D. Bush, 1947. Knowing Your Trees, The American Forestry Association, p.220.
ref.: Peattie, Donald Culross 1950. A Natural History of Trees, p. 206.
ref.: Internet The Big Tree Inn, etc.
White Oak. Girth (1921) 21 6. Located at Stony Brook, Suffolk County, Long Island.
ref.: Illick, Joseph S., 1927. Common Trees of New York, p. 11.
Eastern White Pine. It is said that a fallen specimen at Meridith, New York measured 247 feet in length.
ref.: American Forests, Spring 2000, p. 38.
Comments: No other details are available. No authenticated records indicate that such heights were actually attained.
Black Walnut. An immense black walnut, said to be the biggest tree east of the Rocky Mountains, stood on the banks of Walnut Creek, at the town of Silver Creek, Hanover Township, Cattaraugus County. By one account it was 27 feet in circumference, 9 feet in diameter, and 70 feet to the first branch. By another, it was 31 feet in circumference, and over 10 feet thick. It was blown down in 1822. A local grocer had a thirteen-foot section hollowed and fitted with a roof and floor for an addition to his store. A businessman bought the section in 1825, and exhibited it in Buffalo. It changed hands, was shown in New York City, and loaned to a museum in London, England, where it was lost in a fire. The original site, at Ward Avenue and Route 20, is marked by a millstone placed by the DAR in 1928.
ref.: Internet. Silver Creek History
ref.: Internet. Fun Facts, Cattaraugus County
ref.: Davey/American Forests calendar, July 2003 (photo).
American Elm. National champion 1974-1978: CBH 26 5, ht. 92, spr. 102. Center White Creek. Presumed dead.
Black Locust. National champion 1974-2001: CBH 23 4, ht. 96, spr. 92. National champion 2001-2002: CBH 26 0, ht. 94, spr. 68. Dansville, Livingston County.
ref: American Forests, National Register of Big Trees, 1982, p. 46 (photo).
ref.: Davey/American Forests calendar, July 2004 (photo).
Comments: The 1982 photo suggests this is a double tree, perhaps a coppice, but forking well above breast height. It probably would not pass the slice test.
Chestnut Oak. National champion 1972-1982: CBH 21 10, ht. 75, spr. 100. 1990: CBH 22 0, ht. 95, spr. 82. Northport.
Northern Red Oak. National champion 1987-1996: CBH 30 10, ht. 66, spr. 89. 1997: CBH 27 6, ht. 66, spr. 89. Rochester, Monroe County.
ref.: Davey/American Forests calendar, September 1997 (photo).
Comments: This tree is a backyard coppice with three well-spaced stems and no defined trunk.
Northern Red Oak. National champion 2001-2002: CBH 33 9, ht. 80, spr. 102. Apparently located on a residential property. Rochester, Monroe Co.
ref.: Internet (three photographs)
Comments: This massive tree appears to be a double-trunked coppice, probably forking above breast height, with the larger trunk forking again perhaps 12-15 feet up.
American Basswood. State champion list as CBH 20 7, ht. 76, spr. 56. Delaware Co.
Butternut. State champion list as CBH 21 6, ht. 61, spr. 104. Oneida Co.
Eastern Cottonwood. State champion list as CBH 30 5, ht. 98, spr. 100. Rennsellaer Co.
Red Maple. State champion list as CBH 21 3, ht. 135, spr. 108. Madison Co.
Silver Maple. State champion list as CBH 22 0, ht. 110, spr. 112. Cattaraugus Co.
GREAT WHITE OAKS,
PAST AND PRESENT
Joyce Kilmer Oak. White oak. Large open-grown tree with symmetrical crown, spread over 100. Often said to be the 1906 inspiration for Kilmers 1913 poem. Rutgers University, New Brunswick. The tree died, and was taken down in September 1963.
ref.: Life magazine, 8/30/1963 (photo).
ref: Kilmers Tree Coming Down, Evening Sun (Baltimore), 9/16/1963.
Tatum Oak. White oak. CBH 25 ½ feet, ht. 87, spr. 121. The Tatum Oak died before 1950. Located at Mantua Grove, West Deptford Township.
ref.: Peattie, Donald Culross 1950. A Natural History of Trees, p. 200.
White Oak. 27 feet in girth at 3 feet above grade. This old tree blew down in 1869. It was located at the White Horse Tavern in Trenton.
ref.: Lamb, Frank H. 1939. Book of the Broadleaf Trees. p. 153.
White Oak.
CBH 24 feet. Evesham. (see Frank H. Lamb, p. 153).
White Oak. CBH 22 7 (1998). Somerset Co.
ref.: Internet. Garden State EnviroNet.
Salem Oak. CBH (1996-98) 21 6, ht. 61, spread (east-west) 86; spread (north-south) 122, pts. 345. This tree, located at Friends Cemetery, in Salem, in Salem County, is said to be the site of a treaty with the Indians, and at least 400 years old.
ref.: Lamb, Frank H. 1939. Book of the Broadleaf Trees. pp. 112 (photo), 153.
ref.: Peattie, Donald Culross, 1950. A Natural History of Trees, p. 200.
ref.: Grimm, William C., 1967. Familiar Trees of America, p.114.
ref.: Internet. Salem County Historical Society. (photographs & text)
ref.: Internet. Oak Tree Chapter NSDAR. (illustration & text)
Comments: This
handsome tree has a single trunk to some height, and a symmetrical crown.
White Oak. Over twenty feet in girth. Quaker meeting house, Crosswicks.
ref.: Lamb, Frank H. 1939. Book of the Broadleaf Trees, p. 153.
Mercer Oak. White oak. Princeton Battlefield Park. Named for General Hugh Mercer, who was fatally wounded in the Battle of Princeton, 1/3/1777, and is said to have rested by the tree. Dimensions unknown. The tree, greatly decayed, collapsed 3/3/2000.
ref.: Internet. Princeton Battlefield Park.
SOME NEW JERSEY STATE CHAMPIONS
White Ash. CBH 25 0 (1998 list). Morris Co.
ref.: Internet.
Garden State EnviroNet.
White Ash. CBH 20 2 (1998 list). Camden Co. Extinct.
ref.: Internet. Garden State EnviroNet.
Baldcypress. CBH 21 11 (1998 list). Salem Co.
ref.: Internet. Garden State EnviroNet.
American Basswood. CBH 20 1 (1998 list). Monmouth Co. Extinct.
ref.: Internet. Garden State EnviroNet.
Silver Maple. CBH 25 0 (1998 list). Somerset Co.
ref.: Internet. Garden State EnviroNet.
Northern Red Oak. CBH 20 1. Near Musconetoncong River, Mansfiels Township, Warren Co.
ref.: Internet. New Jersey forest service.
American Sycamore. CBH 23 1 (1998 list). Warren Co. It appears this may be the General Washington Sycamore.
ref.: Internet. Garden State EnviroNet.
Tuliptree. CBH 20 0 (1998 list). Mercer Co.
ref.: Internet. Garden State EnviroNet.
OTHER LARGE TREES OF
NEW JERSEY
Black Walnut. 24 feet around the trunk. Near Hanover Neck, Morris County.
ref.: Lane, Ferdinand C. 1953, The Story of Trees, p. 67.
Comments: Lane referred to the tree as if existing in 1953, but such is uncertain, and no other references have been found.
The General Washington Sycamore. American sycamore. CBH 21 8. Located on Route 521, 1.5 miles south of Hope, in Warren County. Washington said to have rested here in July 1782.
ref.: Randall, Charles Edgar and Henry Clepper, 1976. Famous and Historic Trees. The American Forestry Association, p.16.
GREAT
TREES OF THE PAST
Grant Noll Buttonwood. This immense open-grown tree stood in front of a large farmhouse west of Rohrerstown, Lancaster County. CBH ca. 27 ½ feet, height 105 feet. Circumference 22 feet at five feet above grade. Maximum spread 138 feet. A huge low limb was 85 feet in length, horizontally, the stem reaching to within two feet of the ground. Once considered Pennsylvanias most massive tree. Now dead.
ref.: Womans Day magazine, ca. 1956 (description and photograph)
ref.: Grimm, William C., 1967. Familiar Trees of America, p. 155.
Shackamaxon Elm. American elm. Penns Treaty Elm; signed treaty with Indians here. Girth 24 feet. The tree was blown down 3/3/1810, aged 283 years. The site is marked by a large stone monument.
ref.: Wertz and Callender, 1981. Penns Woods 1682-1982. pp. 30, 31.
American Elm. CBH 24 6. Berks Co.
ref.: Wertz and Callender, 1981. Penns Woods 1682-1982. Tree is presumed dead.
The Lone Sentinel. American elm. CBH 20 2, ht. 90, spr. 135 x 95 (115 av. spr.). Also claimed to be 22 6. Recognized as a state champion in 1983. The fall of a six-ton limb revealed massive decay, and the entire crown was removed in Sept. 1998. Located in Bayne Park, Bellevue, Allegheny County.
ref.: Internet, including 1998 newspaper articles.
Catalpa. Circumference 24 feet, height 70-80 feet. Located on a small farm owned by Robert Smith in Center Moreland, near Scranton. Tree was measured for an unknown survey (perhaps Penns Woods) in the 1970s. It was blown down in July 2003.
ref.: E-mail from Mr. Smith to the Eastern Native Tree Society, 12/7/2003.
Bur Oak. CBH 21 0. Union Co. Tree dying 1982.
ref.: Wertz and Callender, 1981. Penns Woods 1682-1982. Tree is presumed dead.
Bur Oak. Circumference at grade 39 9; diameter at breast height 7 feet, according to Dr. Joseph S. Illick in Pennsylvania Trees. Located near Neffs Mill, Huntingdon County. Destroyed in storm, 1924.
ref.: Grimm, William Carey, 1957. The Book of Trees. p. 176.
ref.: Grimm, William C., 1967. Familiar Trees of America, p. 118.
Eastern White Pine. Girth 37 feet, height 200 feet. Felled near Cedar Run.
ref.: Lane, Ferdinand C., 1953. The Story of Trees, p.67.
Comments: Lane gives no other details. The girth seems excessive, even at grade.
MORE
PENNSYLVANIA GIANTS
Holland Hall Farm Ash. White ash. CBH 21 9. 150 Middle Holland Road, Holland, Northampton Township, Bucks County.
ref.: Wertz and Callender, 1981. Penns Woods 1682-1982, pp. 48, 49 (photo).
White Ash. CBH 20 11. Durham Road (Route 413, north of Wrightstown, Bucks County. Poor condition.
ref.: Wertz and Callender, 1981. Penns Woods 1682-1982, p. 53.
American Basswood. CBH 22 8. Montgomery Co.
ref.: Wertz and Callender, 1981. Penns Woods 1682-1982.
Northern Red Oak. CBH 20 1. Erie Co.
ref.: Wertz and Callender, 1981. Penns Wood 1682-1982.
Columbus Oak. White Oak. 327 Aquetong Road, at Squire Lane, Solebury Township, Bucks Co. CBH 19 6. Height ca. 50 feet, spread ca. 100 feet. This is a very handsome tree with wide-spreading branches.
ref.: Wertz and Callender, 1981. Penns Woods 1682-1982, p. 51 (photo).
White Oak. CBH 20 1. London Grove Village, West Marlboro Township, S. Chester Co.
ref: Wertz and Callender, 1981. Penns Woods 1682-1982.
White Oak. Pennsylvanias largest white oak is said to be located on the Hanover Shoe Farms property, near the Adams-Hanover County line.
ref.: Internet, January 2004.
Longfellow Pine. Eastern white pine. CBH 11 1.5, ht. 180.9 (measured by drop line, Blozan & Busch, 4/20/2002). This is the tallest tree in the northeast, and the third tallest in the eastern United States. Longfellow Trail, Forest Cathedral Natural Area, Cook Forest State Park, Clarion Co.
Mercersburg Sycamore. CBH 31.1, ht. 102, spread 122. State champion 1993. Private property. Mercersburg, Franklin Co.
ref.: Internet. State list, Big Trees of Pennsylvania, 1993.
Rodman Buttonwood. American sycamore. CBH 29 4. 958 Flushing Road, Cornwells Heights, Bucks Co. Remnant of a double tree; the larger trunk has torn away. Hollow.
ref.: Wertz, Halfred W., and M. Joy Callender,
editors, 1981. Penns Woods 1682-1982,
pp. 43 - 45 (photo).
Bolton Farm Sycamore. CBH 23 7. 85 Holly Drive, Holly Hill Section, Levittown, Bristol Township, Bucks Co. Now reduced to a tall stump with some sprouts.
ref.: Wertz and Callender, 1981. Penns Woods 1682-1982, pp. 45, 46 (photo).
Lafayette Sycamore. Brandywine Battlefield Park, Chadds Ford, Delaware Co. Old tree on Revolutionary War battlefield. CBH 18 4, ht. 111, spr. ca. 120.
ref.: Book of the Broadleaf Trees, by Frank H. Lamb, 1939. p. 249.
ref.: Internet.
Tuliptree. CBH 20 6. South of Liverpool, Perry Co.
ref.: Wertz and Callender, 1981. Penns Wood 1682-1982.
NATIONAL CHAMPION GIANTS OF
PENNSYLVANIA
White Ash. National champion 1954-1966: CBH 22 3, ht. 80, spr. 82. CBH 20 7 (Wertz & Callender, 1981). Haverford State Hospital, Glenn Mills, Delaware Co.
ref.: Wertz and Callender, 1981. Penns Woods 1682-1982.
American Basswood. National champion 1993-2002: CBH 24 4, ht. 78, spr. 100. Montgomery Co.
ref.: Davey/American Forests calendar, February 1998 (photo).
ref.: Davey/American Forests calendar, April 2004 (photo).
Comments: This low-branched specimen appears to be a coppice with no real trunk, and not a valid champion.
Chinquapin Oak. National co-champion 1989-1990: CBH 20 5, ht. 84, spr. 120. CBH 19 10 (Wertz & Callender, 1981). Old State Road, Berks Co.
ref.: Wertz and Callender, 1981. Penns Woods 1682-1982.
Swamp White Oak. National champion 1969-1971: CBH 21 6, ht. 65, spr. 80. Luzerne County.
Carmichael Ash. White ash. Maryland champion 1956 (CBH 18 2, ht. 98, spr. 112), 1973 (CBH 193, ht. 116, spr. 93). 2002 Md. extinct list (CBH 20 0, ht. 116, spr. 93). Wye Institute, Carmichael, Queen Annes Co. Owner (1956) Leon Andrus, Cheston-on-Wye.
ref.: Besley, Fred W., 1956. Big Tree Champions of Maryland. p. 14 (photo).
ref.: Trees that Are Maryland Champions, The Sun Magazine, Baltimore 8/18/1956. p.10 (photo).
ref.: Yingling, Earl L., 1973. The Big Tree Champions of Maryland. p. 4 (photo).
Comments: The Cheston-on-Wye estate was noteworthy for once having nine Maryland champion trees.
American Chestnut. A huge chestnut cut in 1895 by a tenant on the farm of D. H. Zile was eleven feet in diameter. The trunk and larger limbs were dynamited, and the tree yielded fifteen cords of firewood. It was said to be the biggest tree in the county, if not the state. Located near Taylorsville, a community on South River, Anne Arundel County.
ref.: One Hundred Years Ago. The Baltimore Sun, 5/21/1995, quoting from an article in the American Sentinel of 5/18/1895. (per Internet)
Buckeystown Elm.
American elm. 1990 Md.
list. Md. champion 1999 (CBH 20 0,
ht. 91, spr. 102). 2002 extinct list (CBH 20 0, ht. 91, spr. 102). Owner: Bill Starkey, Buckeystown, Frederick
Co.
Chestertown Elm. American elm. Maryland champion 1990 (CBH 20 0, ht. 129, spr. 94). Washington College, Chestertown, Kent Co.
ref.: Prenger and Brooks (editors). The Big Tree Champions of Maryland 1990. p. 44 (photo).
Comments: The height seems exaggerated, probably by false-top triangulation. Succeeded by a smaller tree by 1999, presumed dead.
Myrtle Grove Black Oak. State champion 1956: CBH 21 2, ht. 72, spr. 95, pts. 349.8. Owner (1956) Robert Goldsborough Henry, Myrtle Grove, Easton, Talbot Co.
ref.: Besley, Fred W., 1956. Big Tree Champions of Maryland. p. 30 (photo).
Comments: This was a well-shaped tree. It was replaced in 1973 by a slightly smaller (344 pts.) Montgomery County tree, suggesting the Myrtle Grove tree had died.
Myrtle Grove Chestnut Oak. Md. champion 1933 (CBH 19 2, ht. 93, spr 138), 1937 (CBH 19 10, ht. 98, spr. 136). National champion 1956-1966 (CBH 22 3, ht. 95, spr. 108, pts. 389). Owner (1933) W. Laird Henry; (1937-1966) Robert G. Henry, Myrtle Grove, Easton.
Comments: A smaller New York tree (362 pts.) was national champion in 1978, suggesting the Myrtle Grove tree had died.
Queenstown Chinquapin Oak. 2002 Md. extinct list: CBH 20 0, ht. 118, spr. 106. Owner: F. Jelke III, Queenstown, Queen Annes Co.
Tuckahoe Oak.
Overcup oak. National
co-champion 1973-1982: CBH 21 5, ht. 116, spr. 118. Md. champion 1983 (CBH 22 7, ht. 115,
spr. 118), 1990 (CBH 22 9, ht. 130, spr. 118). Tuckahoe State Park, Queen Anne, Caroline Co. Tree now dead.
ref.: American Forests, National Register of Big Trees, 1978, p. 35 (photo).
Comments: This tree had a clear massive trunk for nearly thirty feet. Its status caused the state to build a smaller pond than first proposed. The tree stood in an often-flooded swamp above the pond. It was first listed as the national champion swamp white oak, until its identification was corrected. A wooden overlook was provided for a close view of the tree.
Pikesville Red Oak. Northern red oak. Md. champion 1973 & 1983 (CBH 22 2, ht. 121, spr. 110). 2002 Md. extinct list (same dimensions). Owner (1973-1983): Mrs. Selma Caplin, 6807 Cross Country Blvd., Pikesville, Baltimore Co.
Wye Oak White oak. National champion 1940-2002. Wye Oak State Park, Maryland Route 662, Wye Mills, Talbot County. Measurement 1933, 1937, 1956: CBH 27 8, ht. 95, spr. 165. 1973: CBH 32 2, ht.108, spr 160. 1990: CBH 31 2 ht. 79, spr. 102. 2002: CBH 31 10, ht. 96, spr. 119. The base was hollow, and the tree had an unusually great basal flare. The tree lost four immense limbs. The largest, six feet in diameter, fell in 1956. The spread of 165 feet (before 1956) was probably a record for the species. Although some live oaks have had a greater maximum spread, their branches often rest on the ground. The Wye Oak was felled by a windstorm on 6/6/2002.
ref.: American Forests, September 1955, p.33 (photo).
ref.: Besley, Fred W., 1956. Big Tree Champions of Maryland. p. 48 (text/photo).
ref.: Randall, Charles Edgar and Henry Clepper, 1976. Famous and Historic Trees. The American Forestry Association, pp. 82 (photo), 83.
ref.: Preston, Dickson J., 1972. Wye Oak, the History of a Great Tree. Cambridge, Md. 135 pp.
ref.: Davey/American Forests calendar, October 1990 (photo).
ref.: Davey/American Forests calendar, April 1997 (photo).
Comments: Although some complained that the flaring base gave the tree an unusual advantage, the circumference at 7.5 feet (immediately below the site of the largest limb) was a significant 22 3.5 (Rucker, 11/27/1969). Heights of 95, 102, 108, etc. were exaggerated (false-top triangulation). The height was actually 87 feet (Rucker & Yingling, dropline 4/5/1989). The reputed age of 440 years was probably exaggerated. The tree showed a rapid increase in CBH over the years, although it was due, in part, to the incorporation of a knee into the trunk mass.
St. Pauls White Oak. Marylands second-largest white oak. CBH (1948) 24 6, ht. (1932) 86, spr. (1948) 127. St. Pauls Episcopal Church Cemetery, Fairlee, Kent County. This tree was blown down during hurricane Hazel, in October 1954.
ref.: Peattie, Donald Culross 1950. A Natural History of Trees, p. 201.
ref.: Preston, Dickson J., 1972. Wye Oak; The History of a Great Tree, pp. 89-91 (text & 1915 photo).
Richards Oak. White oak. Second-largest Maryland white oak 1954-1986. Beside U.S. Route 1, near Rising Sun, Cecil Co. Saved by application of first roadside tree law. CBH (1981) 24 2, ht. (1965) 85, spr. (1965) 115. Trunk hollow. Died. Cut down ca. Feb. 1986.
ref.: Besley, Fred W., 1956. Big Tree Champions of Maryland. pp. 51, 52 (photo).
ref.: Randall, Charles Edgar and Henry Clepper, 1976. Famous and Historic Trees. The American Forestry Association, p. 71.
ref.: Preston, Dickson J., 1972. Wye Oak; The History of a Great Tree, pp. 88-89 (text & photograph)
ref.: Yingling, Earl L., 1973. The Big Tree Champions of Maryland. pp. 44 (photo), 45.
North Glen Avenue Oak. Third largest Maryland white oak, 1954-1974. Measurement (1949) Circ. (at 5 ft.) 21 9, ht. 88, spr. 127. 303 North Glen Avenue, Annapolis, Anne Arundel County. Struck by lightning 1948, decayed, fell 9/3/1974. This tree had a single massive trunk above a typical base. The trunk divided into numerous large limbs perhaps fifteen feet up. The low hollow stump was preserved for some years. Site now occupied by a new house.
ref.: Old Landmark Needs a Doctor, The Evening Capital, Annapolis, 11/2/1949 (article & photo).
ref.: Ancient Tree Heralds a New Spring, The Evening Capital, Annapolis, 4/8/1958 article & photo
.
ref.: City White Oak in Hall of Fame. The Evening Capital, Annapolis, 8/20/1974, pp. 1 (photo), 10.
ref.: Fall of an Old Oak Tree. The Evening Capital, Annapolis, 9/3/1974, pp. 1 (photo), 10.
ref: Besley, Fred W., 1956. Big Tree Champions of Maryland. p. 54 (photo of commemorative marker and piece of trunk).
ref.: Needed: Proper Marker. The Evening Capital, Editorial, Annapolis, 6/4/1964.
ref.: Mellin, John A. Three Mile Oak depredations. The Capital, Annapolis, 11/29/1984.
ref.: AACC Gets Remains of Historical Tree. The Capital, Annapolis, 10/12/1988.
ref.: Three Mile Oak Gets Uprooted to New Home. The Capital, Annapolis, 10/16/1988.
Cedar Park Oak. Southern red oak. Md. champion 1933 & 1937 (as a black oak CBH 21 10, ht. 98, spr. 123), 1956 (CBH 24 4, ht. 120, spr. 117), 1973 (CBH 27 3, ht. 128, spr. 149), 1983 (CBH 28 0, ht. 135, spr. 141), 1990 (CBH 27 7, ht. 104, spr. 135). National champion 1951-1996 (1966 CBH 24 1) Later CBH 27 7, ht. 104, spr. 135. Located at Cedar Park, a historic estate on Cumberstone Road, Harwood, Anne Arundel County. Owner (1973): Eveleth Bridgman (now deceased). This tree had a handsome single trunk that although outwardly sound, split and collapsed 9/16/1998. It was not hollow.
ref.: Besley, Fred W., 1956. Big Tree Champions of Maryland. p. 35 (photo).
ref.: Gardenews, October 1956, p. 4 (photo).
ref.: American Forests, May 1966, p. 27 (photo as cherrybark oak).
ref.: Yingling, Earl L., 1973. The Big Tree Champions of Maryland. p. 22 (photo).
ref.: Davey/American Forests calendar, December 1994 (photo).
ref.: Davey/American Forests calendar, July 1997 (photo).
ref.: American Forests, Spring 1998, p. 60 (photo).
ref.: Giant Harwood Oak Succumbs to Age. The Capital, Annapolis 9/17/1998.
Comments: This was a very fast growing specimen. The 1990 CBH was highly inaccurate, and did not reflect the actual growth rate. A careful measurement by Rucker on 5/18/1991 showed a CBH of exactly 30 0. The tree (near Cumberstone) was also listed as the national champion cherrybark oak from 1954 to 1966 (CBH 24 1, ht. 110, spr. 80). Despite a lesser spread measurement, the CBH and photograph match the CBH and 1956 photographic details of the champion southern red oak.
Franklins Oak. Southern red oak. 1933 & 1937 Maryland champion (CBH 23 5, ht. 105, spr. 129). Owner (1933, 1937): J. Harris Franklin, Sudley, Anne Arundel Co. This tree is presumed dead.
ref.: Besley, Fred W., 1956. Big Tree Champions of Maryland, p. 6.
Comments: It appears Franklins tree was misidentified as a black oak in Marylands first big tree competition of 1925, when it had a CBH of 23 2.
Myrtle Grove Basket Oak. Swamp chestnut oak. 1956 National champion (CBH 21 3, ht. 97, spr. 117). 1956 Md. champion (CBH 21 10, ht. 72, spr. 95). 1973 Md. champion & 1974-1982 national champion: CBH 22 7, ht. 122, spr. 123. Owner (1956) Robert Goldsborough Henry, Myrtle Grove. Owner (1973) John F. Donoho, Myrtle Grove, Easton, Talbot Co.
ref.: Besley, Fred W., 1956. Big Tree Champions of Maryland. p. 29 (photo).
ref.: American Forests, National Register of Big Trees, 1978, pp. 34-35 (photo).
ref.: Storm Splits Champion Oak, The Evening Sun, Baltimore, 10/27/1982.
Comments: This was a magnificent tree with a full trunk. It was reported to have been split in two by a fierce storm in October 1982.
Bowlingly Willow Oak. National champion 1954-1966: CBH 21 2, ht. 118, spr. 106. National co-champion 1972-1982: CBH 23 6, ht. 125, spr. 106. Maryland champion 1956, 1973, 1983 (CBH 25 3, ht. 135, spr. 103). Md. 2002 extinct list: CBH 25 3, ht. 135 spr. 103. Owner (1956, 1973) W. Randolph Burgess, Bowlingly Estates, Queenstown. Owner (2002): National Trust for Historic Preservation, Queenstown, Queen Annes Co.
ref.: Besley, Fred W., 1956. Big Tree Champions of Maryland. p. 37 (photo).
ref.: National Champion Trees, The Sun Magazine, Baltimore, 7/1/1973. p. 9 (photo).
Comments: The photograph in the 1956 publication shows some low limbs, but the 1973 photo does not. The earlier photo may have been taken by Besley in the 1920s, suggesting that many low limbs were lost over the years, leaving a tree with a high crown by 1973.
Eastern White Pine. National champion April 1941. Maryland champion 1933, 1937. CBH 11 6, ht. 159, spr. 40. Located near Merrill, in the Savage River Valley of Garrett County. Owner 1933, 1937: John Merrill. Replaced by a smaller tree in Howard County in 1956, the Merrill tree is presumed dead.
ref.: Besley, Fred W. 1956. Big Tree Champions of Maryland, p. 5.
ref.: American Forests Jan./Feb. 1990. National Register of Big Trees, p.4.
Comments: This tree is significant for long being the tallest tree recorded in Maryland. It was recently exceeded by two tuliptrees accurately measured by laser at Belt Woods, in Prince Georges County, the taller tree being 159.9 in height.
Tulip Hill Poplar. Tuliptree. Tulip Hill, a renowned five-part Georgian mansion was built at Poplar Knowle in the late 1700s. The 1983 Maryland champion is thought to have dated from the original grove. CBH 23 2, ht. 155, spr. 82, pts. 454. It was replaced by a smaller tree, so is presumed dead. Owner: Lewis R. Andrews (deceased 1990, age 98), Tulip Hill, Muddy Creek Road, Harwood, Anne Arundel County.
Comments: Depending on the topography and competition, the 155 height seems possible, but not probable.
Mount Pleasant Poplar. Tuliptree. Girth 20, ht. 98, spr. 87. Hollow, taken down ca. February 2003. Mount Pleasant Farm, east of Route 99, near Woodstock Road, Woodstock, Howard County. 1976 state-listed bicentennial tree.
ref.: The Sun, Baltimore, 1/12/2003, pp. 1B (photo), 13B.
Liberty Tree. Tuliptree. Marylands most historic tree. Last of the Liberty Trees from the Revolutionary era. Md. champion 1933, 1937, 1956. National champion/co-champion 1949-1966: CBH 26 6, ht. 83, spr. 98. St. Johns College Campus, Annapolis, Anne Arundel County. Max. CBH 26 11.0 (Rucker, 1988, 1999); max. ht. 96 (1999); max. spread 117 (1937). Hollow, base filled with 55 tons of concrete ca. 1907. Slightly damaged by hurricane Floyd Sept. 1999, it was cut down Oct. 1999, thereby avoiding any liability for those involved.
ref.: Lamb, Frank H., 1939. Book of the Broadleaf Trees. p. 225 (photo).
ref: American Forests, August 1955, p. 39 (photo).
ref.: Besley, Fred W., 1956. Big Tree Champions of Maryland. pp. 50 (photo), 51.
ref.: The Liberty Tree. Pamphlet, St. Johns College.
ref.: Yingling, Earl L., 1973. The Big Tree Champions of Maryland. pp. 42 (photo), 43.
ref: Randall, Charles Edgar and Henry Clepper, 1976. Famous and Historic Trees. The American Forestry Association, pp. 44 (photo), 46.
Pettibone Walnut. Black walnut. Tree cut 1906. It was cut slightly below grade, and took eleven days to fell, sawing through wood, earth and oyster shells. The butt of the log was trimmed down to nine feet in diameter. It was said to be the biggest tree ever seen in Baltimore, and attracted some crowds. The trunk was sold to the Stieff Piano Company, which produced a special series of instruments with brochures featuring the tree. Owner: John E. Pettibone, Pleasant Plains Farm, mouth of Whitehall Creek, Anne Arundel County.
ref.: McCauley, Mrs. Ida E.. I Remember A Tree It Took Eleven Days to Fell. Baltimore Sun Magazine, 9/23/1956. Article and photograph.
Walnut Spring Tree. Black walnut. A local landmark, located at the Walnut Spring Hotel, southeast corner of Patapsco Avenue and South Hanover Street, Brooklyn, Anne Arundel County. The trunk is nearly 8 feet in diameter and more than 25 feet in circumference. The tree stood on a bluff overlooking the Patapsco River. It was sold to a furniture manufacturer, and was taken down in 1916.
ref.: Evening Capital, Annapolis, 5/1/1916. Article reprinted in Anne Arundel County History Notes, a quarterly of the Ann Arundell County Historical Society, October 2001, p. 10.
WHITE OAK STATE TREE OF MARYLAND
Wilmer Stone Oak. White oak. Maryland champion, 2002, succeeding the Wye Oak. Named for former owner, Wilmer Theodore Stone, educator and graduate of Johns Hopkins University and the Biltmore School of Forestry. Measurement by state 2002: CBH 20 1, ht. 127, spr. 96, pts. 392.0. CBH 2002 by Fedor & Rucker: 20 9.5. County recreation park, Jones Station Road, Arnold, Anne Arundel County.
ref.: Towering Oak The Evening Capital, Annapolis, 7/26/1973. (photo)
ref.: Arnold Tree May Succeed Wye Oak. The Capital, Annapolis 6/20/2002. article & photo.
ref.: How Big is Arnold Tree? The Capital, Annapolis, 7/14/2002. article & photo.
Comments: This massive heavy-limbed tree stands in a very fertile woodland swale. A large section was blown out about 1988, reducing the spread of the tree.
Kent County Oak. White oak. Md. co-champion, 2002. CBH 20 3, ht. 113, spr. 133, pts. 389.25. Owner: Jean Spears & Bill Kropp, Kent Co.
Adams Oak. White oak. Md. co-champion, 2002. CBH 22 2, ht. 102, spr. 83, pts. 388.75. Owner: Katherine Aldrich Adams, Honeybee Hollow Farm, near Norrisville, Harford Co.
ref.: Wye Oak Successor Declared. The Capital, Annapolis, 6/9/2002.
Comments: Tree
hollow, stands near an old farmhouse.
Chevy Chase Oak. White oak. Apr. 2001 Montgomery Co. list: CBH 20 7, ht. 103, spr. 58, pts. 364.5. Chevy Chase, Montgomery Co., Md. Owner: Mr. & Mrs. Richard Marsh.
ref.: Internet. The Champion and Potential Champion Trees of Montgomery County, Maryland.
Linden Oak. White oak. Diameter over six feet in width at waist level. Circumference at grade just under 38 feet. Height 95, spread said to be 130-135. Maryland bicentennial tree for Montgomery Co., 1976. There is a plaque near the tree. Located off Rockville Pike at Beach Drive (Grosvenor Lane), Rock Creek Stream Valley, Montgomery County.
ref.: Maryland Arborist Association, 1983. Press release re. pruning of tree on Arbor Day.
ref.: Internet (as Linder Oak).
Comments: Points roughly 360. Claimed to be Marylands fourth largest white oak.
Barnesville Oak. White oak. CBH 20 7, ht. 88, spr. 93, pts. 358.0. Barnesville, Montgomery Co. Owner: Victor & Linda Pope.
ref.: Internet. Champion and Potential Champion Trees of Montgomery County, Maryland.
Hartig Oak.
White oak. 1990 Md. list. CBH 20 8, ht. 74, spr. 112, pts. 350.0. Owner 1966-1990: Franz J. Hartig, 524 Wilton
Avenue, Ellicott City, Howard Co.
ref.: Younger, but Prettier Perhaps Than the Wye Oak, The Sun Magazine, Baltimore 8/18/1968, pp. 32-33 (article and photos).
Comments: This is a very fine fully branched tree with a short clear trunk and sturdy structure. It stands on a large lawn in a residential area.
Holly Hall Oak. White oak. Wildmans 1933 list. 1990 Md. list: CBH 21 1, ht. 72 spr. 92, pts. 348.0. Formerly on Holly Hall Farm. Owner (1990): Big Elk Mall, Elkton, Cecil Co.
ref.: Randall, Charles Edgar and Henry Clepper, 1976. Famous and Historic Trees. The American Forestry Association, pp. 81 (sketch), 82.
ref.: Wertz and Callender, editors, 1981. Penns Woods 1682-1982, p.14 (photo).
Boudrie Oak. White oak. 1990 Md. list. CBH 21, ht. 71, spr. 84, pts 344.0. Owner (1990): K. B. Boudrie, Easton, Talbot Co.
St. Pauls Basket Oak. Swamp chestnut oak. Md. champion 1933 (CBH 20 0, ht. 95, spr. 100), 1983 (CBH 22 2, ht. 116, spr. 108), 1990 (CBH 22 3, ht. 120, spr. 110), 2002 (CBH 23 7, ht. 120, spr. 90, pts. 425.5). Tree in churchyard, St. Pauls Episcopal Church, Chestertown, Kent Co. State bicentennial tree for Kent County, 1976.
ref.: Prenger and Brooks (editors). The Big Tree Champions of Maryland 1990. p.86 (photo).
ref.: Internet webpage for St. Pauls.
Comments: Although a basket oak at St. Pauls appears on the Md. 2002 extinct list (CBH 21 3, ht 117, spr 97) it is assumed that all records of Quercus michauxii at St. Pauls are the same specimen, which is extant, and the last of the big oaks (basket and white) at the site. With 426 points (2002), this tree easily surpasses the discredited 2002 national champion from Alabama, and the earlier champions from Missouri (417 points) and North Carolina (416 points).
Deckman Black Oak. Md. champion 1999 (CBH 20 0, ht. 114, spr. 94, pts. 377.5). Owner (1999) James Deckman, Calvert Co.
Comments: This tree is assumed to be living. It was replaced on the 2002 list by a much smaller Harford County tree (308 pts.) that was mistakenly entered as having 389 points.
Queenstown Chestnut Oak. State champion 1983 (CBH 20 5, ht. 117, spr. 109), 1990-1999
(CBH 20 9, ht. 90, spr. 115, pts. 367.8).
Owner (1983-1999): Marion R. Leaverton, Queenstown, Queen Annes Co.
ref.: Prenger and Brooks (editors). The Big Tree Champions of Maryland 1990. p. 97 (photo).
Comments: This is a very handsome open-grown tree with a massive trunk.
Joyce Lane Chestnut Oak. 2002 Md. champion: CBH 22 9, ht. 104, spr. 99, pts. 406.8 (addition error; actually 401.8). Owner: Jeanine Ove, 278 West Joyce Lane, Arnold, Anne Arundel Co.
Comments: This tree is on a steep north-facing wooded slope. It is a double-trunked coppice forking about six feet up. CBH is 22' 7.5" (1/24/04). The separate trunks measure 14' 7" and 10' 2". The 104' height was based on the taped distance from the trunk to the furthermost estimated impact area, using no sighting devices. The smaller trunk is the taller, at 99 feet (laser, 1/24/04). Spread is (1/24/04) 101.8 x 95.0, average 98.4. Revised points 396.
Chase Creek Red Oak. Northern red oak. State champion 2002: CBH 22 0, ht. 136, spr. 98, pts. 424.5. Owner: The Iliff family, West Joyce Lane, Arnold, Anne Arundel Co.
Comments: This forest tree is located on a very rich steep slope. It is a high-stump coppice with three leads. Owing to the steep terrain, the elevation of the lowest fork is above breast height, as measured above the central basal contour.
Hutchins Spanish Oak. Southern red oak. State champion 2002. Measurements (1990 list) CBH 22 4, ht. 88, spr. 112. Owner: Mrs. Ailene W. Hutchins, Prince Frederick, Calvert Co.
Myers Willow Oak.
State champion 1990, 1999-2002 (23 6, ht. 111, spr. 90). Owner: William Myers, Oxford, Talbot Co.
Myers Second Oak. Willow oak. 1990 Md. list. CBH 22 11, ht. 88, spr. 85. Owner: William Myers, Oxford, Talbot Co.
Myrtle Grove Willow Oak. Willow oak. State champion 1937 (CBH 21 5, ht. 93, spr. 107). Myrtle Grove, Easton, Talbot Co. This tree was succeeded by a larger specimen at Bowlingly. It is unknown if the Myrtle Grove tree still exists.
Hunter Oak. Willow oak. 1990 Md. list (CBH 20 6, ht. 121, spr. 109), 2001 list (CBH 21 1, ht. 125, spr. 115, pts.). Owner: Thomas Hunter, Easton, Talbot Co.
Edwards Oak. Willow oak. 1990 Md. list. CBH 20 0, ht. 78, spr. 85. Owner: Horace Edwards, Greensboro, Caroline Co.
Guy Oak. Willow oak. 1990 Md. list. CBH 20 0, ht. 115, spr. 89. Owner: William Guy, Clements, St. Marys Co.
GREAT MARYLAND TULIPTREES
Lusby Poplar. Tuliptree. State champion 1999-2002: CBH 28 8, ht. 105, spr. 79, pts. 468.75. Owner: Dr. Thomas F. Lusby, Calvert Co.
Comments: The structure of this unusually large tree is unknown; it is suspected to be multiple-trunked.
Gunpowder Falls Poplar. Tuliptree. State champion 1973: CBH 25 2, ht. 136, spr. 105, pts. 437.3. 1990: CBH 25 0, ht. 116, spr.85. Gunpowder Falls State Park, Baldwin, Baltimore Co.
Comments: All dimensions were exaggerated in 1973, and would have outpointed North Carolinas Wasilik Poplar, the national champion, but Virginias Bedford Poplar surpassed both trees. The Gunpowder tree was listed as the 1990 Maryland champion, due to an alteration of the recorded actual CBH of the Liberty Tree.
ref.: Yingling, Earl L., 1973. The Big Tree Champions of Maryland. p. 29 (photo).
Howat Poplar. Tuliptree. 1990 Md. list: CBH 24 6, ht. 115, spr. 98, pts. 433.5 (1990). Owner: Y. Kirkpatrick Howat (deceased 2003), Contee Farms, Edgewater, Anne Arundel Co.
Comments: This tree is said to be hollow.
Brookeville Poplar. April 2001 list for Montgomery Co.: CBH 24 5, ht. 110, spr. 82. Brookeville, south portion of Manor Oaks subdivision. Owner: Classic Communities: Manor Oaks Subdivision.
ref.: Internet. Champion and Potential Champion Trees of Montgomery County, Maryland.
Bethesda Poplar. 1990 & 2001 Md. lists (CBH 23 6, ht. 126, spr. 80, pts. 428.0). Owner: Robert Jones, Bethesda, Montgomery Co.
Ringgold Cove Poplar. Tuliptree. CBH 22 8, ht. 116.1 (laser; measurements by Rucker 2/11/2001). Arnold, Anne Arundel County. Owner: Mrs. Grafton Lee Brown, Jr.
Comments: This is a very old open-grown tree standing at the head of a precipitous ravine. Bark plates on the sheltered side are five to six inches thick.
Mitchell Poplar. Tuliptree. 1990 Md. list: CBH 22 7.5, ht. 113, spr. 77.5, pts. 404.5. Mitchell residence, Bowie, Prince Georges Co.
ref.: The Big Tree Champions of Prince Georges County, Maryland, ca. 1990. p. 22 (photo).
Northeast Poplar. Tuliptree. 1990 Md. list: CBH 21 11, ht. 118, spr. 62, pts. 396.5. Owner: Jo Ann Kricker, North East, Cecil Co.
Sandy Springs Poplar. Tuliptree. Md. list, 2001: CBH 21 3, ht. 125, spr. 115. Montgomery Co. list, Apr. 2001: CBH 20 0, ht.121, spr. 101. Graveyard, Sandy Spring Friends Meeting House, Sandy Springs, Montgomery Co.
ref.: Internet. Champion and Potential Champion Trees of Montgomery County, Maryland.
Blackwater Poplar.
Tuliptree. 1990 Md. list: CBH 21 1, ht. 93, spr. 87, pts.
372.8. Blackwater Farms, Cambridge,
Dorchester Co.
Chestertown Poplar. Tuliptree. 1990 Md. list: CBH 20 4, ht. 125, spr. 85, pts. 390.3. Owner: Jim & Tracy Stone, Chestertown, Kent Co.
Bittner Poplar. 2001 Md. list (CBH 20 1, ht. 130, spr. 115) Owner: Deborah Bittner, Baltimore Co.
Woodlawn Poplar. 1990 Md. list: CBH 20 1, ht. 108, spr. 62, pts. 364.5. Owner: Social Security Administration, Woodlawn, Baltimore Co.
Bacon Ridge Poplar. Tuliptree. CBH by Rucker, December 1977: 20 0.5. Forest grown, base hollow. Struck by lightning ca. 1976. State bicentennial tree, 1976. Owner 1976: Mrs. E. Murray Sullivan, Sanroco Farm, Old Waterbury Road, Crownsville. Tree located in woodland off Bacon Ridge Road (toward Route 32), Anne Arundel County.
Chase Creek Poplar. Tuliptree. CBH 19 10 ½. This is a very old tree, with a hollow about nine feet in diameter at the ground. Chase Creek Woods, Arnold, Anne Arundel County.
Belair Poplars. Tuliptrees. The original driveway to Belair, called the home of governors, was lined with tuliptrees. Planted about 1750, many of the original trees still exist, and are of great size. Their history is associated with the Ogle and Woodward families. Perhaps nowhere else in Maryland can so many great trees be seen. Located at Tulip Grove Road, Bowie, Prince Georges County.
Cedar Park Poplars. Tuliptrees. One of the oldest estates in southern Maryland, Cedar Park has many great trees. A number of these are tuliptrees, which may be seen along Cumberstone Road, and on the slopes along Popham Creek. Harwood, Anne Arundel County.
OTHER MARYLAND TREES OVER
TWENTY FEET IN GIRTH
Worton Cherry. Black cherry. National champion 1955: CBH 18 4, ht. 64, spr. 77. State champion 1933 & 1937 (CBH 15 8, ht. 60, spr. 75), 1956 (CBH 18 4, ht. 64, spr. 77), 1973 (CBH 20 6, ht. 54, spr. 77), 1990-2002 (CBH 22 6, ht. 67, spr. 63). Former owner: Henry Raisin. Owner (1999-2002): Renate E. Sass. Located on property at Coopers Lane, near Worton, Chestertown, Kent Co.
ref.: American Forests, September 1955, p. 34 (photo).
ref.: Besley, Fred W., 1956. Big Tree Champions of Maryland, p. 19 (photo).
Comments: This sturdy open grown tree has a single trunk to perhaps ten feet. It has been a Maryland champion for at least seventy years.
Belair Cucumbertree. Cucumber magnolia. Md. champion 1973 (CBH 18 10, ht. 92, spr. 88), 1983 (CBH 20 10, ht. 76, spr 63), 1999-2002 (CBH 22 7. ht. 77, spr.73). Full trunk. Belair Mansion, Tulip Grove Drive, Bowie, Prince Georges Co. Tree planted, not indigenous.
ref.: Yingling, Earl L., 1973. The Big Tree Champions of Maryland. p.17 (photo).
Black Gum. This tree was listed as the 1990 Maryland champion, with a CBH of 27 feet; ht. was 92, spr. 54. It appeared on the 2002 Md. extinct list as CBH 27 0, ht. 92, spr. 65
ref.: Prenger and Brooks (editors). The Big Tree Champions of Maryland 1990. p. 65 (photo).
Comments: The incomprehensible trunk size is an obvious error. From the 1990 photograph, this tree was a tall forest-grown specimen of unremarkable stature. Perhaps the tree was measured with a diameter tape, likely being 27 in diameter, or 7 1 CBH, and the girth was recorded as 27 feet. Therefore, it was probably the smallest of the four 1990 nominees. The spread appears somewhat exaggerated.
Elkton Maple. Silver maple. Reported 2003 by Maryland Forest Service as new state champion, and national contender. Circumference (presumably CBH) 27 feet. Height 114 feet. Located in Eder Park, Elkton, Cecil Co. Owner: Eder Park Association.
ref.: The Capital (Annapolis) 11/11/2003.
ref.: "Elkton Tree Believed to be Record
Size." The Sun (Baltimore)
11/16/03.
Catoctin Maple. Silver maple. State champion 1983 (CBH 22 5, ht. 119, spr. 108). C & O Canal, near Catoctin Creek, Frederick Co.
Fowley Maple. Silver
maple. State champion 2002: CBH 22 4, ht. 90, spr. 134. Owner: Victoria Fowley, Baltimore Co.
Silver Spring Maple. Silver maple. State champion 1973 (CBH 21 8, ht. 84, spr. 103), 1990 & 1999 (CBH 25 5, ht. 84, spr. 103). Owner: Wilbur S. Smith, 1616 Overlook Dr., Silver Spring, Montgomery Co. Apr. 2001 Montgomery Co. list: CBH 25 5, ht. 84, spr. 103. Silver Spring. Owner: John Henrici.
ref.: Internet. Champion and Potential Champion
Trees of Montgomery County, Maryland.
Kensington Maple. Silver maple. Apr. 2001 Montgomery Co. list: CBH 20 6, ht. 104, spr. 52. Kensington, Montgomery Co. Owner: Clum Kennedy Gardens.
ref.: Internet. Champion and Potential Champion Trees of Montgomery County, Maryland.
C&O Maple. Silver maple. Apr. 2001 Montgomery Co. list: CBH 20 2, ht.90, spr. 80. Lock 26, C&O Canal, Montgomery Co. Owner: National Park Service C&O Canal.
ref.: Internet. Champion and Potential Champion Trees of Montgomery County, Maryland.
Kitzmiller Maple. Sugar maple. National champion 1966: CBH 19 9; 1977-2002: CBH 22 10, ht. 65, spr. 54. Maryland champion 1956 (CBH 19 9, ht 116, spr 75), 1973 (CBH 21 3, ht. 78, spr. 63), 1983 (CBH 21 6, ht. 78, spr. 66), 1990 (CBH 22 5, ht. 51, spr. 47), 2002 (CBH 22 10, ht. 65, spr. 54). Owners: Milo Wilson (1956); Thomas Wilson (1973); Richard Cropp (1983-2002). Located at Kitzmiller, Garrett Co.
Comments: The tree was said to be in failing condition (The Sun Magazine, Baltimore, 7/1/73). The diminishing height suggests progressive dieback, but the trunk growth seems satisfactory.
Wakefield Sycamore. National champion 1955: CBH 25 10, ht. 114, spr. 79. Maryland champion 1956 (CBH 25 10, ht. 114, spr. 79), 1973 (CBH 24 4, ht. 119, spr. 81 8), 1983 (CBH 24 8, ht. 124, spr. 78), 1999 (CBH 25 5, ht. 144, spr. 89), 2002 (CBH 26 3, ht. 110, spr. 87). Owner (1956) John S. Hyde; (2002) John E. Smith, Wakefield, Hyde Quarry Road, New Windsor, Carroll Co.
ref.: Yingling, Earl L., 1973. The Big Tree Champions of Maryland, p. 28 (photo).
ref.: Prenger and Brooks (editors). The Big Tree Champions of Maryland. p.103 (photo).
Comments: Located in a wooded grove, this tree has a massive trunk to some height.
Fallston Sycamore. 1990 Md. list: CBH 23 7, ht. 100, spr. 77, pts. 402.3. Owner: Glenn Neuman, Fallston, Harford Co.
Sparks Sycamore. 1990 Md. list: CBH 22 7, ht. 122, spr. 99, pts. 417.8. Owner: H. H. Hackney, Sparks, Baltimore Co.
Dickerson Sycamore. Apr. 2001 Montgomery Co. list: CBH 20 10, ht. 123, spr. 125. Dickerson Conservation Park, Montgomery Co. Owner: Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission.
ref.: Internet. Champion and Potential Champion Trees of Montgomery County, Maryland.
Silver Spring Sycamore. Apr. 2001 Montgomery Co. list: CBH 20 5, ht. 100, spr. 100. Northeast corner, Lexington Drive lot, Silver Spring, Montgomery Co.
ref.: Internet. Champion and Potential Champion Trees of Montgomery County, Maryland.
Washington Sycamore. 2001 Md. list (CBH 20 4, ht, 127, spr. 115). Owner: Neil Wright, Washington Co.
McKee-Beshers Sycamore. 2001 Md. list (20 2, ht. 132, spr. 114) McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area, 100 yards from C&O, upstream from mile post 24, Montgomery Co. Owner: State of Md. (DNR).
ref.: Internet. Champion and Potential Champion Trees of Montgomery County, Maryland.
Contee Farms Walnut. Black walnut. National champion 1945-1975. 1955-1966: CBH 203, ht. 108, spr. 128. State champion 1933 & 1937 (CBH 197, ht. 100, spr. 130), 1956 (CBH 20 4, ht. 93, spr. 130), 1973 (CBH 20 8, ht. 111, spr. 125), 1983-1999 (CBH 20 11, ht. 85, spr. 112), 1990 (CBH 20 11, ht. 85, spr. 107), 2002 (CBH 21 6, ht. 92, spr. 102). Owner: Y. Kirkpatrick Howat, Contee Farm, Edgewater, Anne Arundel Co.; he died 2003.
ref.: Besley, Fred W., 1956. Big Tree Champions of Maryland, p. 45 (photo).
ref.: Yingling, Earl L. 1973. The Big Tree Champions of Maryland. p. 30 (photo).
ref.: National Champion Trees, The Sun Magazine, Baltimore 7/1/1973. p. 6 (photo).
GREAT TULIPTREES OF DELAWARE.
Tuliptree. State champion 1973: CBH 23.3, ht. 116, spr. 100. Route 68, Dover.
Calloway Tuliptree. Tree on steep hillside. Circumference (1973) at breast height (upper side) 17.9. Circumference (lower side) as much as 28.2. ht. 104, spr. 125. 1938 circ.: 21. Located near Odessa.
Tuliptree. State co-champion. CBH 20 0, ht. 146, spr. 36, pts. 395. Rising Sun Lane, Wilmington.
Tuliptree. State co-champion. CBH 18 7, ht. 151, spr. 60, pts. 389. Winterthur estate, Wilmington.
Tuliptree. State co-champion. CBH 17 3, ht. 187, spr. 63, pts. 410. Chandler Woods, Winterthur estate, Wilmington.
Comments: The
claimed height would exceed any hardwood in the east, and is certainly much
exaggerated.
William Penn Tree. Tuliptree. Oldest tree on Winterthur estate. Chandler Woods, Winterthur, Wilmington.
SOME DELAWARE STATE
CHAMPIONS
American Basswood. State champion 1973. CBH 21.2, ht. 92, spr. 100. Woodside.
Southern Red Oak. State champion 1973. CBH 19.7, ht. 102, spr. 130. Road 298, 0.2 mile south of State route 24, below Angola.
Hercules Oak. White oak. State co-champion 1973. CBH 20.1, ht. 72, spr. 126, pts. 345.5. Hercules Country Club golf course.
Dragon Run Oak. White oak. State co-champion 1973 CBH 20.5, ht. 85, spr. 117. Dragon Run.
White Clay Oak. White oak. State co-champion 1973: CBH 19.7, ht.100, spr. 102. White Clay.
GREAT TULIPTREES
OF VIRGINIA
Bedford Poplar. National champion 1972-1985: CBH 30 3, ht. 124, spr. 122. 1986-1996: CBH 31 2, ht. 146, spr. 125. 1997-2002: CBH 31 2, ht. 111, spr. 125, pts. 516. Located in the town of Bedford.
ref.: Nancy Ross Hugo, A Tree to Take Your Breath Away. American Forests, April 1986, p. 38. (text & photo).
ref.: American Forests, May/June 1988, cover (photo).
ref.: American Forests, 1990 National Register of Big Trees, pp. 6, 7 (photo), p. 38 (photo).
ref.: American Forests, National Register of Big Trees, Spring 2000, p. 59 (photo).
ref.: American Forests, Spring 2000, p.38 (photo).
Comments: Short trunk, six leads. Smallest girth probably below breast height. This tree once dominated a second-growth woodland bnear the intersection of Route 43 and Smith Street, but now stands behind a rock wall in Poplar Park, a 1 ½ acre parcel on Grande Arbre Drive, owned by the city. The claimed height of 146 was greatly exaggerated. This 1986 measurement has not been corrected on the 2003 state list.
Amelia Poplar. Tuliptree. National champion 1961-1966: CBH 24 3, ht. 110, spr. 119. Amelia, Amelia County.
Nomini Hall Poplars. Tuliptrees. Row(s) of immense tuliptrees planted ca. 1750 on the Carter estate, Nomini Hall, Westmoreland County.
ref.: Peattie, Donald Culross 1950. A Natural History of Trees, p. 268.
ref.: Farish, Hunter Dickinson (editor) 1965. The Journal and Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian, 1773-1774. pp. xxix-xxx. Also p.81.
Comments: These trees (if they still exist) might be compared with those at Belair, in
Prince Georges Co., Maryland.
Mount Vernon Tuliptrees. Two large tuliptrees are among the five original trees which remain from Washingtons time. The tuliptrees are along the serpentine walk. The larger has a diameter of 62 inches (1976).
ref. Randall, Charles Edgar and Henry Clepper 1976. Famous and Historic Trees. The American Forestry Association, pp. 20, 21 (photo).
ref.: Clepper, Henry. George Washingtons Trees. American Forests, August 1976, pp. 22-25.
Comments: The two pecans, once thought planted by Washington, appear to have been planted in 1824.
SOME OF VIRGINIAS LARGEST
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Black Oak. Dead. Former national champion 2001-2002: CBH 27 8, ht. 108, spr. 116. Blown down in Hurricane Isabel, September 19, 2003. 512 Monroe Bay Avenue, Colonial Beach, Westmoreland County. Owner: Betty and Joe Wilson.
ref.: Brittin, Rachel. Giving New Life to Famous Trees. American Forests, winter 2004, p. 39 (text & photo)
ref.: Internet. Virginia Big Tree Program. Text & Photo.
Comments: Although the AF photo suggests the tree was single trunked, the tree split in two. The Big Tree photo shows this tree was not single-trunked, but a double-trunked coppice, the abutting trunks dividing at ca. seven feet above grade.
Cherrybark Oak. National co-champion 1991-2002: CBH 27 0, ht. 124, spr. 136 (1989). South side Nottoway River, east of Rt. 626, Sussex Co.
ref.: Internet. Virginia Bigh Tree Program.
Cherrybark Oak. National co-champion 1993-2002: CBH 28 6, ht. 110, spr. 108 (1992). 215 Ball Street, Colonial Beach, Weston Co. Owner: Jerry and Ann Davis.
ref.: Internet. Virginia Big Tree Program.
Laurel Oak. National
champion 1987-2002: CBH 21 5, ht. 82, spr. 106 (1987). 413 Currituck Drive, Chesapeake, Chesapeake
Co. Owner: Terry Davidson.
ref.: Internet. Virginia Big Tree Program.
Swamp White Oak. National champion 2000-2002: CBH 25 0, ht. 68, spr. 49 (2000). Very old single-trunked hollow tree in low field, minus lower limbs. 200 yards west of Jackson River, 150 yards south of rt. 607, Warm Springs, Highland Co. Owner: Bill Bratton.
ref.: Internet. Virginia Big Tree Program. (photo)
Osage Orange. National champion 1969-1971: CBH 23 0, ht. 50, spr. 90. 1972-1982: CBH 24 6, ht. 51, spr. 93. 1994- 2002: CBH 26 9, ht. 60, spr. 85. 2002: CBH 27 2, ht. 60, spr. 64. Red Hill National Memorial (Patrick Henry Estate), Brookneal, Campbell Co. Owner: Red Hill Shrine.
ref.: American Forests, National Register of Big Trees, 2000, p. 7 (photo).
ref.: The Mystery of Patrick Henrys Osage-orange, American Forests, Summer 2003, pp. 32-35 (photo).
ref.: Internet. Virginia Big Tree Program. (photo)
Comments: This tree is multiple-trunked, probably a coppice, and under review by American Forests.
American Sycamore. National champion 1999-2001: CBH 27 10, ht. 95, spr. 105 (1991 measurement). Virginia Route 42, 4 miles south of Millboro Springs, Bath Co. Owner: Lunsford and Wellford Farm.
ref.: Internet. Virginia Big Tree Program.
Water Tupelo. National champion 1991-2002: CBH 28 0, ht. 105, spr. 56 (1990 measurement). Near Route 58, north of Nottoway River, Courtland, Southampton Co.
ref.: Internet. Virginia Big Tree Program.
BIG STATE
CHAMPIONS OF VIRGINIA
Baldcypress. State champion 2003: CBH 32 6, ht. 134, spr. 71 (1988). West side Blackwater River, 2 miles north of Rt. 260, Southampton Co.
ref.: Internet. Virginia Big Tree Program.
Baldcypress. State champion 2003: CBH 38 0, ht. 74, spr. 51 (1986). West side of Nottoway River, north of Rt. 653. Owner: Union Camp Corporation.
ref.: Internet. Virginia Big Tree Program. Data & photo.
Comments: The photo shows that this tree has a greatly enlarged fluted base.
Eastern Cottonwood. State champion 2003: CBH 23 0, ht. 130, spr. 105 (1994). North side of intersection of Rts. 651 & 661, Opal, Fauquier Co. Owner: Giles Early.
ref.: Internet. Virginia Big Tree Program.
American Elm. Dead. State champion. CBH 28 8, HT. 135, SPR. 125. Located in southern Hampton County, near Nottoway. Died from Dutch elm disease.
ref.: Internet.
Comments: This tree may have been a national champion, but did not appear in the biennial listings.
American Elm. State champion 2003: CBH 23 6, ht. 122, spr. 68 (1991). Southwest side of Fountains Creek, between Routes 301 & 625, Greensville Co.
ref.: Internet. Virginia Big Tree program.
Silver Maple. State champion 2003: CBH 21 7, ht. 84, spr. 102 (1988). East side Rt. 220, 1 mile south of Hot Springs, Bath Co. Owner: Arthur P. McMullen.
ref.: Internet. Virginia Big Tree Program. (two photos)
Comments: This is a low-forked tree, probably a coppice.
Black Oak. State champion 2003: CBH 20 2, ht. 96, spr. 125 (1982). 1121 Springhill Road, McLean, Fairfax Co. Owner: Peter C. Andrews.
ref.: Internet. Virginia Big Tree Program.
Black Oak. State champion 2003: CBH 23 2, ht. 87, spr. 96 ((2003). West side Rt. 637, ½ mile south of Mill Swamp. Owner: Jack Ramsey.
ref.: Internet. Virginia Big Tree Program.
Chestnut Oak. State champion 2003: CBH 20 5, ht. 75, spr. 108 (1987). Chatham Hall, Chatham, Pittsylvania Co. Owner: Chatham Hall.
ref: Internet. Virginia Big Tree Program.
Chinquapin Oak. State champion 2003: CBH 21 4, ht. 78, spr, 102 (2002). Route 641, Rockingham Co. Owner: Edward L. Strickler.
ref.: Internet. Virginia Big Tree Program.
Northern Red Oak. State champion 2003: CBH 22 3, ht. 116, spr. 91. (1987). North side of Route 42, Shenandoah Co.
ref.: Internet. Virginia Big Tree Program.
Southern Red Oak. State champion 2003: CBH 22 6, ht. 124, spr. 116 (1997). Route 612, Sussex Co. Owner: Gladys Robbins.
ref.: Internet. Virginia Big Tree Program. Data & photo.
Comments: The photo indicates that this is a single-trunked specimen.
Swamp Chestnut Oak. Dead. Former state champion (2003): CBH 21 5, ht. 99, spr. 96 (2003). Blown down September 2003 (Hurricane Isabel). Charles City Co. Owner: Henry Tench.
ref.: Internet. Virginia Big Tree Program.
White Oak. State champion 2003: CBH 26 0, ht. 93, spr. 120 (1978). East of Rt. 632, Lawrenceville, Brunswick Co. Owner: Mr. and Mrs. Caleb Short.
ref.: Internet. Virginia Big Tree Program.
OTHER
IMPORTANT TREES OF VIRGINIA
Pecan. Girth said to be 34 feet. Elevation of girth unknown. Brandon-on-the-James.
ref.: Lane, Ferdinand C. 1953, The Story of Trees, p. 67.
Mingo Oak. White Oak. Exceptional forest giant. Stood on Trace Mountain, near the head of Trace Fork of Pigeon Creek, Mingo County, not far from the Logan County line. Circumference at the base 30 9. Diameter at the base 9 feet 10 inches. Diameter at breast height was 6 feet. Height 145-146 feet. Diameter 90 feet above the base 3 ½ feet. Variously estimated to be 570-582 years old. Killed by fumes from a burning gob pile (coal mining refuse). The tree was felled with ceremony in September 1938. The logs were said to scale 15,000 board feet. Perkins Coville of the U. S. Forest Service estimated (presumably earlier) that the trunk contained 20,000 board feet. Called the largest and oldest oak in the United States.
ref.: Lamb, Frank H. 1939. Book of the Broadleaf Trees. p. 153.
ref.: Encyclopedia Americana (West Virginia).
ref.: Lane, Ferdinand C. 1953, The Story of Trees, p. 67.
ref.: Strausbaugh and Core, Flora of West Virginia, p. 302.
ref.: Clarkson, Roy B. 1964. Tumult on the Mountains, p. 7.
ref.: Grimm, William C. 1967. Familiar Trees of America, p. 114.
Comments: It appears the CBH was between 19 and 22.4 feet. A hypothetical model showing six 12 foot logs, with diameters of 65, 60, 53, 49, 45, and 43 inches, and two 8 foot logs, 41 and 39 inches (all inside bark) would scale 15,032 board feet. A claim of 165 in height (see Lane, p. 67) is not valid. Although the height of 145-146 feet has been equaled but once by any known white oak, the massive 90-foot trunk suggests the measurements offered are plausible.
Lead Mine Oak. White oak. This forest giant was felled near Lead Mine, Tucker County by Mangold, Straub and Carlston Lumber Company in 1913. Two photographs have led to much controversy regarding the tree.
ref.: Clarkson, Roy B. 1964. Tumult on the Mountains, p. 7 (Figs. 10, 11).
ref: Personal communications from Dr. Roy Clarkson.
ref.: Internet. Chromogenics. Logging prints for sale. (photo of logs at Mad River).
Comments: It appears the tree existed, but the size was greatly exaggerated. A photograph of logs (13 in diameter 16 from the base, and 10 in diameter 31 from the base, by John Vance) attributed to the oak were of a redwood on the John Vance Mill and Lumber Company holdings on Mad River near Eureka, California. The second photograph, said to show the notched base of the tree, appears to have been altered. The photo does show two local loggers, but lighting on their faces differs, and the thick-barked tree is now thought to be a western conifer. A third photograph, found on the Internet, shows three redwood logs at Mad River that exactly match those shown in the first photograph, but from a slightly different position, and the negative has been reversed.
Bergoo Poplar. Tuliptree. This massive tree was cut on Bergoo Creek in Webster County in 1941. The tree yielded nine 16-foot logs; three below the fork, and three in each lead above the fork. The butt log was hollow, but the other eight logs scaled 12,000 board feet.
ref.: Letter from the Hills, West Virginia Hillbilly, 8/16/1975, p. 9 (text & photo).
Tuliptree. A large poplar on a tract bought by Stevenson and Haggerty in Nicholas County about 1906 was estimated to be seven feet in diameter, 80 feet to the first limb and contained 17,500 board feet.
ref.: Clarkson, Roy B. 1964. Tumult on the Mountains, p. 8.
Tuliptree. A poplar cut on the Big Coal River in Boone County in 1889 was 8 9 in diameter at the base and 71 to the first limb, where it was 5 6 in diameter.
ref.: Clarkson, Roy B. 1964. Tumult on the Mountains, p. 8.
Tuliptree. A large poplar cut by Hamlett and Strother on Long Pole, in McDowell County in September 1899 was 85 across the stump, and 90 long. It took three men half a day to fell, and 22 men to turn a 16 log. Eight horses were required to skid it. The tree yielded 12,500 board feet.
ref.: The Charleston Gazette September 20,
1999 (via Internet).
The Poplar Cube. It is said that a cube of solid yellow poplar, 6 feet on a side, was exhibited by West Virginia at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis, 30 April 1 December, 1904.
ref.: Letter from the Hills, West Virginia Hillbilly (newspaper), 8/16/1985, p. 9.
Comments: If the cube was as described, the tree was probably notched and felled about seven feet above grade, and the remainder cut very low and shaped. To yield such a cube, the trunk would have been nearly nine feet in diameter over six feet above grade. That suggests a CBH over thirty feet, an astounding size for a sound tree, even if open-grown. A cube five feet on a side would suggest a cbh of about 24 feet, which would be an exceptional specimen, but possible.
Washingtons Sycamore. This specimen was mentioned in George Washingtons journal for 11/4/1770. Girth 44 10, 3 feet above grade. In about 1790, Andre Michaux recorded the tree as being Washingtons, and measuring 40 4 at five feet above grade. Located along the lower Kanawha River.
ref.: Peattie, Donald Culross, 1950. A Natural History of Trees, p.319.
ref.: Letter from the Hills, West Virginia Hillbilly (newspaper), 8/23/1975, p.1.
ref.: Clarkson, Roy B., 1964. Tumult on the Mountains, p. 2.
Ref.: Lamb, Franh H., 1939. Book of the Hardwood Trees, p.249.
Comments: Lamb mentions a 47 sycamore found by Francois Michaux on a small island in the Ohio River, near Marietta, Ohio in 1802, and then states, Another near by at five feet above the ground was forty feet and four inches in girth. This might suggest the smaller tree was also in Ohio, but nearby seems to be relative, referring to the Kanawha River specimen, perhaps twenty miles distant.
Washingtons Second Sycamore. In his journal of 11/4/1770, George Washington mentioned a second large sycamore along the lower Kanawha River, only 50 yards from the first. It was 31 feet in girth.
ref.: Letter from the Hills, West Virginia Hillbilly, 8/23/1975, p. 1.
ref: Clarkson, Roy B., 1964. Tumult on the Mountains, p.2.
Blennerhasset Sycamore. This huge tree stood on Blennerhasset Island. It was once claimed that a team of horses could be driven into the hollow trunk and turned around. The tree was gone by 1975.
ref.: Letter from the Hills, West Virginia Hillbilly, 8/23/1975, p.6.
Pringle Sycamore. The Pringle brothers, Samuel and John, lived in this huge tree from 1764 to 1767. In They had deserted in 1761 from the British Army at Fort Pitt in the French and Indian War. The tree was twelve feet across the hollow. A successor arose from the roots, but was destroyed in a flood in 1880. Its successor, in turn, is called the Old Pringle Sycamore, and has a large hollow trunk. Located at the mouth of Turkey Run near the Buckhannon River in Upshur County.
ref.: Cutright, W. B., 1907. History of Upshur County, West Virginia, Chapter XVIII. (via Internet)
ref.: Lamb, Frank H. 1939. Book of the Broadleaf Trees, p.249.
ref.: Cater, Ruth Cooley 1950. Tree Trails and Hobbies, p.195.
ref.: Lane, Ferdinand C. 1953. The Story of Trees, p.65.
American Elm. In 1963, the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources listed an American elm on Big Hurricane Creek, Putnam County, as the states largest, with a breast-high diameter of 97 (ca. 25.4 CBH). It is assumed this tree is now dead.
ref.: Strausbaugh and Core, Flora of West Virginia, p. xl.
OTHER WEST VIRGINIA GIANTS
Yellow Buckeye. State champion 2002: CBH 13 9, ht. 196, spr. 81. Clendening, Kanawha County.
ref.: Internet. Big Trees of West Virginia. List of 10/9/02.
Comments: The height of 196 appears to be greatly exaggerated, probably by false-top triangulation.
Eastern Cottonwood. State champion, 2002. CBH 24 4, ht. 105, spr. 114. Greystone, Berkeley County.
ref.: Internet. Big Trees of West Virginia. List of 10/9/2002.
Centennial Hemlock. Eastern hemlock. State champion, 2002: CBH 155, ht. 94, spr. 49. Located in Cathedral State Park, near Aurora, in Preston County. It has been struck by lightning, and has dieback in the top. Claimed to be 500 years old.
ref.: Internet. Big Trees of West Virginia. List of 10/9/2002.
ref.: Internet, web page for Cathedral State Park.
ref.: Internet, web page for Corridor H, West Virginia Division of Highways.
Comments: The circumference has been given as 21 feet or 26 feet, which may have been taken at grade. According to Leverett and Luthringer, the Centennial Hemlock is on a slope with a boardwalk around it. Luthringer (9/26/03) measured CBH as 16 2.5, height 94.3. This is compatible with 1995 measurements by Leverett and Landenberger. American Forests listed a national champion hemlock at Aurora from 1979-1995 as CBH 18 8, ht. 123, spr 68 (pts 364). The AF entry is probably a bad measurement of the same tree. The web page for the park includes two photographs of a large double-trunked hemlock, forking well above breast height, but gives no details. This is, apparently, a different tree.
Silver Maple. State champion, 2002: CBH 21 7, ht. 97, spr. 93. Mission Road, Jefferson County.
ref.: Internet. Big Trees of West Virginia. List of 10/9/2002.
Bur Oak. State champion 2002: CBH 22 2, Ht. 113, spr. 118. Lone Oak Campground, South of West Columbia, Mason Co.
ref.: Internet. Big Trees of West Virginia. List of 10/9/2002.
Chestnut Oak. In 1963, the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources listed a chestnut oak one mile from Center, in Upshur County, as the states largest, with a breast-high diameter of 84 (CBH would be ca. 22).
ref.: Strausbaugh and Core, Flora of West Virginia, p. xl.
Comments: The location might have been one mile south of Century, a town just over the county line, in Barbour County. This would be perhaps six miles north of Buckhannon.
Chestnut Oak. State champion 2002: CBH 184, ht. 111. Spr. 69. Buckhannon, Upshur County.
ref.: Internet. Big Trees of West Virginia. List of 10/9/2002.
Comments: It appears that this tree is the same as the 1963 chestnut oak, Buckhannon being a better-known reference point. A trunk smaller than the 1963 diameter suggests that breast height was an approximation.
Northern Red Oak. CBH (1975) just over 22 feet. Ht. 90, spr. 110. Said to be the states largest red oak, and second-largest tree. Located in a pasture on Sam Warners farm in Pocahontas County.
ref.: Letter from the Hills, West Virginia Hillbilly, 12/20/1975. pp. 1, 12 (text & photo).
Northern Red Oak. In 1963, the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources listed a northern red oak on Hackers Camp Run, in Lewis County, as the states largest, with a breast-high diameter of 84 (ca. 22 CBH).
ref.: Strausbaugh and Core, Flora of West Virginia, p. xl.
Northern Red Oak. State champion 2002: CBH 22 2, ht. 106, spr. 85. Located in Arnold Cemetery, Weston, Lewis County.
ref.: Internet. Big Trees of West Virginia. List of 10/9/2002.
Comments: It is unknown if this is the Lewis County tree of 1963.
White Oak. In 1963, the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources listed a white oak one mile south of Huttonsville, in Randolph County, as the states largest, with a breast-high diameter of 135.
ref.: Strausbaugh and Core, Flora of West Virginia, p. xl.
Comments: If the tree was single-trunked, the CBH would be ca. 35.6, which would be an astounding (and improbable) size for the species, suggesting the tree was multiple-trunked.
White Oak. State champion, 2002: CBH 18 8, ht. 100, spr. 109. Foxs Hollow, Hampshire County.
ref.: Internet. Big Trees of West Virginia. List of 10/9/2002.
Webster Sycamore. State champion, 2002: CBH 25 9, ht. 112, spr. 90. This tall forest giant has a straight trunk with little taper. Hollow. Trunk broken off at 86 ½ -90 feet, with a hemlock growing in the break. Located in Sycamore Park, Backfork Road. Tree on Back Fork of Elk River above Webster Springs, Webster County. Called the largest sycamore in the world. In 1963, the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources listed the tree as the states largest sycamore, with a breast-high diameter of 89 (CBH would be ca. 23.3).
ref. Internet. Big Trees of West Virginia. List of 10/9/2002.
ref.: Strausbaugh and Core, Flora of West Virginia, p. xl.
ref.: Letter from the Hills, West Virginia Hillbilly (newspaper) 8/23/1975, p. 6 (photo).
Comments: Circumference (January 1925) said to be 39 feet, which was probably a measurement taken at grade. In terms of trunk volume, the Webster Sycamore may be one of the largest trees in the east.
Widen Poplar. State champion, 2002. CBH 18 9, ht. 195, spr. 72. Byers states it is the largest yellow poplar in West Virginia, with a height of 200 feet. Located on a four-acre parcel once occupied by the sportmens club of the Elk River Coal and Lumber Company. The surrounding area has been strip-mined. Site is near the town of Dille (Widen), in Nicholas County, near the Clay County line. The big-tree list states the tree is in Clay County.
ref.: Internet. Big Trees of West Virginia. Big-tree list of 10/9/2002.
ref.: Internet. Robert J. Byers, Living History. Sunday Gazette (newspaper, Charleston) 6/23/2002.
Comments: The
claimed heights of 195 and 200 feet are certainly greatly exaggerated; the
Blennerhasset tree may be larger.
Blennerhasset Tuliptree. In 1963, the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources listed a tuliptree on Blennerhasset Island, in Wood County, as the states largest, with a breast-high diameter of 88 inches (ca. 23 CBH).
ref.: Strausbaugh and Core, Flora of West Virginia, p. xl.
ref.: Internet, 2003. A Brief Sketch of Blennerhasset Island.
Comments: The Blennerhasset website claims the tree is the second largest yellow poplar east of the Mississippi. That seems rather unlikely, and West Virginias Widen Poplar is now (2003) listed as the state champion. However, the Widen tree has a greatly exaggerated height, and the unusually large trunk of the Blennerhasset tree probably makes it the state champion.
BIG
TREES OF THE PAST
Reems Creek Poplar. Tuliptree. Tall forest giant on Craggy Mountain (on the slope of Mt. Mitchell), about 12 miles northeast of Asheville, at an elevation of 3000 feet. Girth 33 at 3 feet up in 1866 (Mathews). Girth also said to be 34 6 (Lane). Girth 31 at ten feet up (Lounsberry). Height claimed to be 198 feet (American Genetic Association); other sources say 150 feet. Hollow (Lounsberry; also photos). Felled by fire sometime after 1928.
ref.: Lounsberry, Alice, 1900. A Guide to the Trees.
ref.: Mathews, F. Schuyler 1923. Familiar Trees and Their Leaves. p. 39.
ref.: Old photograph of base, from National Park Service archives. (courtesy of Will Blozan 2003)
ref.: Photo of entire tree, before fire. (courtesy of Michael Davie, 2003)
ref.: Pre-fire photo of base, 1/1/1932. Photo # 000385, D. H. Ramsey Library, NCSU, Asheville. (via Internet) http://toto.lib.unca.edu/findingaids/photo/usfs/show.asp?PassVar=000385
ref.: Post-fire photograph of base, from National Park Service archives. (courtesy of Will Blozan 2003)
ref.: Lamb, Frank H. 1939. Book of the Broadleaf Trees. p. 245.
ref.: Harlow, William M. 1942. Trees of the Eastern and Central United States and Canada, p. 185. (reference to 198 feet).
ref.: Preston 1948. North American Trees, p. 235. (reference to 198 feet)
ref.: Lane, Ferdinand C. 1953, The Story of Trees, p. 67. (reference to 198 feet)
ref.: American Forests, Spring 2000, p. 37.
Comments: Lounsberry gives a circumference of 31 at ten feet above grade, which is grossly inaccurate. Any measurement at that height is unlikely. Photo #000385 suggests a girth of perhaps 22 feet six feet up, and 29 at 4 ½ feet. Further supposition would place 31 at 4 feet, 33 at 3 feet, and 34 ½ feet below that. This does not consider date or angle of measurement. The base was enlarged due to the influence of the hollow trunk, which had a small opening near the downhill side. Another photo shows the trees tall straight trunk extending perhaps 80 to a large spreading crown. The claimed height of 198 feet, which has appeared in texts, including Preston and Harlow, has been questioned by many, and was probably due to false-top triangulation, due to the spreading top. Lounsberry stated the tree stands upward of 150 feet tall, which seems more reasonable. A section of trunk cut from 53 up is preserved at Sugarlands Visitors Center, GSMNP. The section is ca. 4.5 in diameter sans bark, and more than 350 years old (per Will Blozan 2003). The preservation of this section suggests the tree was in public ownership when it fell. Trunk volume was roughly 3000 cubic feet. A reported volume of 5000 cubic feet (AF) is greatly exaggerated.
Tuliptree. Stupka (1964) quoted Buckley (1859): [A yellow poplar] near the Pigeon River in Haywood County, North Carolina, about eight miles from the Tennessee line, thirty-three (33) feet in circumference at three feet from the ground, or eleven feet in diameter, and upwards of one hundred feet high.
ref.: Stupka, Arthur, 1964. Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, p. 62.
Comments: Although the 1859 reference gives dimensions identical to those in an 1866 reference to a tree on Mt. Mitchell, the locations appear to be in different counties, and perhaps thirty miles apart.
Tuliptree. A giant yellow poplar was cut long ago on the Little Santeetlah Creek watershed. It scaled a total of 20,163 board feet.
ref.: Information courtesy of Bob Leverett, 3/26/2003.
American Chestnut. Joseph S. Illick stated that a chestnut at Francis Cove, near Waynesville, Haywood County, had a trunk diameter of seventeen feet. This is considered the greatest known diameter of any eastern hardwood.
ref.: Grimm, William C. 1967. Familiar Trees of America, p. 109.
ref.: Detwiler, Samuel B. The American Chestnut Tree, American Forestry, October 1915.
Comments: Randy Cyr of ENTS reported (1/18/2004) that he had interviewed a relative of the trees owner who knew the stump as a boy, and said the tree was hollow, single-trunked, and was cut for firewood, but any photographs had been lost.
American Chestnut. A. J. Sharp reported an ankle-high stump of a chestnut in the Greenbrier section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that was 13 feet the long way across.
ref.: Grimm, William C. 1967. Familiar Trees of America, p. 109.
Comments: It seems curious that the tree was cut so low. Perhaps the trunk was hollow, and was cut for firewood, or was on a slope, and was cut low on the uphill side.
American Chestnut. Girth 33 6, height 75. Great Smoky Mountains. Lane does not indicate whether this tree was in North Carolina or Tennessee.
ref.: Lane, Ferdinand C. 1953. The Story of Trees, p.67.
O'Neal-Brevoort Oak. White Oak. Circumference said to be "more than 28 feet," height and spread over 100 feet. Located on a hill in dairy farm pasture near Wake Forest, in northern Wake Co. Tree destroyed by Hurricane Fran in September 1996.
ref.: Internet. Capital Tree Program. Wake County. (text and photo).,
NORTH CAROLINAS APPALACHIAN
GIANTS
Tuliptree. CBH 24 0, ht. 120. Measured by Jess Riddle. Located on Collins Creek, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Information courtesy of Will Blozan, 3/3/2003.
Sag Branch Tuliptree. CBH 22 3, ht. 167.7. Volume of trunk 2430 cu. ft., branch volume 1560 cu. ft., total 3990 cu. ft. Measured by Will Blozan, Robert Van Pelt et al Feb 2004. Located on Sag Branch, Cataloochee Valley, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Haywood County. .
Tuliptree. CBH 20 6, ht. 175.5. Measured by Will Blozan before 1999, this is the third-tallest tuliptree accurately measured. Located on Left Fork, Deep Creek, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Swain County.
Fodderstack Poplar. This appears to be the same as the Horse Cove Poplar, which has a trunk diameter of 71 (circumference would be 18 7). Promoted as the second-largest poplar in the state, third largest in the east. 100 yards from trail head off Rich Gap Road, three miles east of Highlands.
ref.: Internet hiking information.
Comments: Although a relatively large tree, the supposed ranking is completely in error.
NORTH CAROLINAS LARGEST NATIONAL
CHAMPIONS
Baldcypress. National co-champion 1977-78: CBH 38 3, ht. 138, spr. 36. State list as (1977) CBH 38 3, ht. 138, spr. 34. Windsor, Bertie County.
Southern Magnolia. National champion 1978-1986: CBH 20 3, ht. 86, spr. 96. Bladen County. Owner: H. C. Blake of Riegelwood, N.C.
ref.: Davey/American Forests calendar, June 1990 (photo).
Comments: A large tree with two leads above a compact but valid trunk, with a very large low limb. Probably measured below breast height; the Rule of 73 should be applied to such trees.
Cherrybark Oak. National champion 1975-1978: CBH 29 0, ht. 120, spr. 126. Perquimans Co.
ref.: American Forests, National Register of Big Trees, 1982, p.25 (photo).
Comments: Large open-grown specimen in agricultural area. Valid trunk, but the height may be somewhat exaggerated.
Cherrybark Oak. National champion 1989-1990: CBH 28 0, ht.105, spr. 140. SR1231, South Mills, Camden County. On state champion list as (1988) CBH 27 0, ht. 105, spr. 140.
Northern Red Oak. National champion 1997-2000: CBH 21 5, ht. 134, spr. 81. Double Gap Bridge, Cataloochee Valley, GSMNP, Haywood County. Nominated by Will Blozan & Michael Davie.
ref: American Forests, National Register of Big Trees, 2000, p. 47 (photo).
Overcup Oak. National champion 1987-2002: CBH 21 6, ht. 156, spr. 120. Lewiston-Woodville, Bertie Co. On state list as (1987) CBH 21 4, ht. 156, spr. 120. Owner: Georgia-Pacific Corp.
Comments: Height exceeds any known oak, probably exaggerated by false-top triangulation.
Water Oak. National champion 1983-1986: CBH 20 2, ht. 110, spr. 122. On state list as (1984) CBH 20 2, ht. 110, spr. 123. Currituck Co.
Sweetgum. National champion 1986-2002: CBH 23 2, ht. 136, spr. 66. State list (1984) same dimensions. Neuse River, near Perfection, Craven Co.
NORTH CAROLINA STATE
CHAMPION TREES
Pond Cypress. State champion list as (1994) CBH 28 8, ht. 32, spr. 24. Hyde Co.
Comments: It is unknown if the height is correct.
Live Oak. State champion list as (1996) CBH 25 4, ht. 79, spr. 127. New Hanover Co. Owner: Oak Landing Homeowners Assn.
Southern Red Oak. State champion list as (1990) CBH 23 2, ht. 101, spr. 128. Cumberland Co.
Willow Oak. State champion list as (1990) CBH 25 9, ht. 90, spr. 101. Mecklenburg Co. Owner: Betty Pope.
Willow Oak. CBH 27 1, ht. 127, spr. 113. Located on a residential property at 4611 Gibbon Road, Charlotte.
ref.: Internet. Treasure Tree Program of Mecklenburg County. (three photos)
Comments: A photograph indicates that this is a double tree, a coppice, but probably abutting to six or ten feet. It is said to have been listed as state champion in 1990. It is unknown if this is the same as Betty Popes willow oak, in the same county.
White Oak. State champion list as (1988) CBH 22 10, ht. 124, spr. 114, pts. 426.5. Johnston Co. Owner: Ben Wadsworth.
Osage Orange. State champion list as (5/3/2001) CBH 26 5, ht. 74, spr. 84. Haywood Co.
Pecan. State champion list as (1989) CBH 20 1, ht. 109, spr. 115. Chowan Co.
Tuliptree. State champion list as (1992) CBH 22 8, ht. 151, spr. 163. Bertie Co. Owner: Ben Williams Estate.
Comments: From the height, this appears to be a forest grown tree. The spread exceeds records for nearly all species, and is far beyond the known capability of tuliptree. The spread is almost certainly an aggregate, not average, calculation.
OTHER NORTH CAROLINA GIANTS
Live Oak. A large tree at Hilton Park, north of Wilmington is illuminated each year and billed as the Worlds Largest Living Christmas Tree. It is said to be 35 feet in circumference.
ref.: Willard Fell, Georgia big tree coordinator.
Comments: Fell states (October 2003) that this tree is multiple-trunked.
Tuliptree. CBH 21 8, ht. 121, spr. 131. Old Duke Mansion, 400 Hermitage Road, Charlotte. The tree is visible from the street.
ref.: Internet. Treasure Tree Program of Mecklenburg County. (three photos)
Comments: The photographs are poor, but suggest that this is a single-trunked tree. The spread of 131, if correct, is exceptional for a tuliptree; it may be an aggregate, not average, measurement.
GREAT
TREES OF THE PAST
The Tennessee Titan. Baldcypress. National champion 1954-1977; co-champion 1978: CBH 39 8, ht. 122, spr. 47. Located in bottomland on south fork of Obion River, three miles west of Sharon, Weakley County. Site within 330-acre Big Cypress Tree State Natural Area, 297 Big Cypress Road, Greenfield. The tree was killed by a lightning strike in July 1976. It is no longer standing.
ref.: Randall, Charles Edgar and Henry Clepper 1976. Famous and Historic Trees. The American Forestry Association, p. 83.
ref.: American Forests, September 1955, p. 37 (photo).
Comments: This was a
very significant specimen. The tree was
completely hollow, with a large opening extending up about 20 feet on one
side. The wide-flaring base was not
fluted, and did not suggest the site was subject to significant flooding. The huge base tapered concavely to perhaps
six feet in diameter at 25-30 feet above grade.
American Beech. Circumference 28.5 feet, height 70 feet. Estimated to be 365 years old. Inscription on bark: D. Boone cilled a bar on tree in year 1760. This famous tree stood near Carroll Creek, on the old stage road between Jonesboro and Blountsville, Washington County. The tree fell in 1916.
ref.: Peattie, Donald Culross 1950. A Natural History of Trees, p. 182.
Rich Mountain Pine. Eastern white pine. This tree was felled to salvage the timber after the top was blown out. Diameter, 6 up downhill side was 6 2; circumference was 19 2. The logs scaled 7522 board feet. Length to broken top, 168. Considered the largest white pine in nation, and to have been nearly 200 tall before wind breakage. Rich Mountain, Unicoi County.
ref.: Undated newspaper clipping, courtesy of Will Blozan.
Tuliptree. Stupka (1964) quoted Buckley (1859) : [A yellow poplar] on the western slope of the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, on the Little Pigeon River, is twenty-nine feet in circumference at three feet from the ground.
ref.: Stupka, Arthur 1964. Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, p. 62.
American Chestnut. Circumference 28 ½ feet at four feet above grade. Located at Porters Flats, Greenbrier Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Sevier County.
ref.: 11/19/1933 photo, Flora and Fauna Section, Albert Dutch Roth Digital Photograph Collection, University of Tennessee. (via Internet).
NOTABLE TENNESSEE TULIPTREES OF THE GREAT SMOKIES
Greenbrier Giant. Tuliptree. Tall forest giant. CBH 24 3, ht. 154(laser), spr. 96. Measured by Will Blozan. Kalanu Prong, near Gatlinburg, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Sevier County. Information courtesy of Will Blozan, 3/5/2003.
Tuliptree. 23 7 in circumference. Between Indian Camp Creek and Dunns Creek, almost on the Sevier-Cocke County line, north of Mt. Guyot.
ref.: Stupka, Arthur 1964. Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, p. 62.
Comments: It is unknown if this tree still exists. Stupka considered it to be the largest sound tuliptree in the park. This suggests he may have been aware of a larger, but hollow, specimen.
Mill Creek Monster. Tuliptree. Tall forest giant. CBH 22 10, ht. 156(laser). Measured by Will Blozan. Located near Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. (information courtesy of Will Blozan, 3/5/2003).
ref.: See photo, ENTS webpage, courtesy of Will Blozan.
Tuliptree. CBH 21 3, ht. 162.3 (laser). Measured by Will Blozan and Michael Davie 5/5/2002. Porters Creek, Greenbrier District, Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Other Tuliptrees. According to Will Blozan (5/6/2002), there are a total of nine tuliptree over 20 CBH in the Greenbrier/Cosby sections of GSMNP, including the 24 3, 22 10, and 21 3 trees.
.
TENNESSEES LARGEST NATIONAL
CHAMPIONS
American Elm. National co-champion 2002 CBH 23 1, ht.122, spr. 84. State list 2001 with same dimensions. Meerman-Shelby State Park, Shelby Co.
American Elm. National champion 1951-1966: CBH 24 7, ht. 160, spr. 147. Blount County. Now dead.
ref.: American Forests, September 1955, p. 34 (photo).
Comments: The height was greatly exaggerated, probably due to false-top triangulation. The photo suggests the tree was much wider than tall.
Red Maple. National champion 1997-2002: CBH 23 0.5, ht. 141.0(laser), spr. 88. Indian Camp Creek, Maddron Bald Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cocke County. Nominated by Will Blozan.
Red Mulberry. National champion 1999-2002: CBH 25 1, ht. 52, spr. 52. Private residence, Fayette Co. Owner: Doug & Janet Jackson.
Chestnut Oak. National champion 2002: CBH 18' 5", ht. 144', spr. 78'. Mill Creel, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Nominated by Will Blozan, Michael Davie and A. Stupka.
Comments: This tree
has a single trunk. It was accurately
measured, and is the tallest known chestnut oak.
Pin Oak. National champion 1994: CBH 20 0, ht. 110, spr. 112. Dick Barry Farm, Henderson County.
ref.: Davey/American Forests calendar, May 1994 (photo).
Comments: The photo showed this handsome tree to be open-grown, but having a tall well-defined trunk.
Shumard Oak. National champion 1994-2001: CBH 20 9, ht. 190, spr. 88. National champion 2001-2002: CBH 17 10, ht. 147, spr. 88. State co-champion. Overton Park Forest, Memphis.
Comments: The 190 height was greatly exaggerated, and would have exceeded any hardwood in the east. It is assumed the same tree was remeasured in 2001, and the height reduced by 43 feet. The CBH was reduced by nearly 3 feet, suggesting the tree was first measured at 34 above grade.
Swamp Chestnut Oak. National co-champion 1998-2000: CBH 23 0, ht. 105, spr. 216. State list as (2000) CBH 21 10, ht. 83.5, spr. 114.5. Private residence, Marshall County. Owner: Sharon Hayes.
Comments: The first measurements of this tree were greatly exaggerated. The incomprehensible spread of 216 feet appears to have been the aggregate of two measurements, not the average. The tree was remeasured in 2000, and proved smaller in all respects. It has been removed from the national register.
Pecan. National champion 2000-2002: CBH 22 3, ht. 136, spr. 111. Emily Boyd residence, Newport, Cocke County.
Comments: Michael Davie, of the Eastern Native Tree Society, examined the tree on 9/8/03. It is an open grown specimen near a house, apparently a coppice, having double trunks dividing about ten feet up, with included bark to the ground. It would not pass the slice test. Height by laser was 141.1.
THE LARGEST TENNESSEE STATE CHAMPIONS
Green Ash. State champion list as (2001) CBH 21 5, ht. 63, spr. 76. Private residence, Henderson Co. Owner: Keith Harris.
Baldcypress. State champion list as (2001) CBH 28 8, ht. 97, spr. 76. State of Tennessee, Weakley Co.
Comments: This tree may be on the same tract as was the Tennessee Titan.
Northern Catalpa. State champion list as (1998) CBH 20 11, ht. 52, spr. 39. Private residence, Giles, Co. Owner: Janice and James Duncan.
Eastern Cottonwood. State champion list as (2001) CBH 23 3, ht. 147, spr. 115. Private residence, Shelby Co. Owner: Dorothy Smith.
Hackberry. State champion list as (2002) CBH 20 0, ht. 73, spr. 89. Private residence, Loudon Co. Owner: David Bartlett.
Black Locust. State champion list as (1998) CBH 22 0, ht. 93, spr. 43. Private residence, Maury Co. Owner: Helen Thurman.
Black Oak. State champion list as (1998) CBH 23 1, ht. 83, spr. 75. Private residence, Giles Co. Owner: Milky Way Farms.
Bur Oak. State champion list as (2001) CBH 21 8, ht. 94, spr. 92. Celebration of Life Church property, Sumner Co.
Cherrybark Oak. State champion list as (2002) CBH 27 8, ht. 123, spr. 122. Private residence, Tipton Co. Owner: John Hayes (JCH Development Co.)
Shumard Oak. Co-champion on state list as (2001) CBH 21 5, ht. 98, spr. 107.5. Private residence, Davidson Co. Owner: Michael R. Shea.
Comments: This tree is within one point (382 to 383) of the national champion shumard oak measured in 2001 in Memphis, and should be listed as a national co-champion.
Southern Red Oak. State champion list as (2001) CBH 27 8, ht. 123, spr. 122. Private residence, Washington Co. Owner: George & Laura Boy.
White Oak.
State champion list as (1985) CBH 22 4, ht. 93, spr. 118. State list as (2001) CBH 21 6.2, ht. 110,
spr. 118, pts. 398.1. Private
residence, Union Co. Owner: Paula Hornan
Less Gray & Lori Rose.
Willow Oak. State champion list as (2001) CBH 26 11, ht. 115, spr. 143, Private residence, Shelby Co. Owner: Larry & Joyce White
Osage Orange. State champion list as (1985) 20 0, ht. 61, spr. 84. State list (2000) as CBH 23 0, ht. 63, spr. 81. Private residence, Maury Co. Owner: Dr. and Mrs. Walter Brown.
American Sycamore. State champion list as (2001) CBH 22 0, ht. 117, spr. 131. Private residence, Dickson Co. Owner: Wallace Ramussen.
FAMOUS
LIVE OAKS
Angel Oak. Live Oak. Johns Island, 6 miles south of Charleston, off Highway 700, Charleston County.
Trunk circumference 25, spr. 160. Some limbs rest on the ground. Once a privately owned tourist attraction, now open as a park owned by the city of Charleston. The largest limb is 11 in circumference, 89 in length, and rests on the ground.
ref.: Randall, Charles Edgar and Henry Clepper 1976. Famous and Historic Trees. The American Forestry Association, pp. 74, 75 (photo).
ref.: Postcard by Charleston Post Card Co., Inc. (description and photo).
Comments: This is a very picturesque tree, but the estimated age (1400-1526 years) was grossly exaggerated, probably for promotional purposes. Randall and Clepper downplay a suggested age of 700 years, pointing to the rapid growth of live oaks, and a more conservative estimate of 275-300 years.
Middleton Live Oak. State champion list as (1984) CBH 30 0, ht. 85, spr. 145. Randall & Clepper quote dimensions as: circumference 37 feet, spread 144 feet. Grimm gives the circumference as 35 feet at 5 feet above grade, with a symmetrical spread of 180 feet. Measured by the Eastern Native Tree Society in February 2004, the tree is 67.4 feet tall, with an average spread of 118 feet, and has a trunk volume of 970 cu. ft., branch volume 3850 cu. ft.; the total of 4820 cu. ft. appears to be the greatest volume of any tree standing in the east. This tree is 1st vice president of the Live Oak Society, which lists its girth as 31 feet. Located at the Middleton Place Gardens, 4300 Ashley River Road, seventeen miles north of Charleston, Dorchester Co. The site is within the formal gardens, near the Ashley River.
ref.: Grimm, William C. 1967. Familiar Trees of America, p. 121.
ref.: Randall, Charles Edgar and Henry Clepper 1976. Famous and Historic Trees. The American Forestry Association, p. 40.
ref.: Live Oak Society (Internet).
Comments: The variety of stated girths illustrates the lack of conformity in measuring trees. This is a rather upright tree, with two massive limbs about 20 feet up, and the trunk continuing above that. It is higher branched, with a taller crown, than many live oaks. It appears that only two branches approach the ground.
SOUTH CAROLINAS LARGEST NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Laurel Oak. National champion 1958-1966: CBH 20 0, ht. 84 spr. 102. Darlington.
Laurel Oak. National champion 1976-1978: CBH 20 9 ht. 148, spr. 76. Beidler Tract, Congaree Swamp, Richland Co.
Overcup Oak. National co-champion 1976-1982: CBH 22 0, ht. 123, spr. 48. Beidler Tract, Congaree Swamp, Richland Co.
ref.: American Forests April 1978, p. 50 (photo).
Shumard Oak. National champion 1984-1986: CBH 20 0, ht. 155, spr. 116. State list as (1999) CBH 21 11, ht. 155, spr. 106, presumably the same tree. Congaree Swamp National Monument, Richland Co.
Sugarberry. National champion 1969-1971: CBH 19 10, ht. 59, spr. 57. North Augusta.
Sugarberry.
National champion 1994-2002: CBH 25 1, ht. 81, spr. 114. Society Hill.
Sugarberry. National champion. CBH 26' 9", ht. 79', spr. 87'. Darlington County.
ref.: Davey/American Forests calendar, March 2004. (photo)
Comments: This tree
stands near a farmhouse. The two trunks
divide perhaps 8-10 feet from the ground.
Although possibly of coppice origin, the trunks appear to be rather well
united.
Sweetgum. National champion 1970-1971: CBH 19 8, ht. 125, spr. 100. Richland County.
BIG STATE CHAMPION TREES OF SOUTH
CAROLINA
Baldcypress. State list as (1995) CBH 26 1, ht. 131, spr. 48. Congaree Swamp National Monument.
Cherrybark Oak. State list as (1999) CBH 23 2, ht. 156, spr. 122. Congaree Swamp National Monument.
Laurel Oak. National champion 1966: CBH 20 0.
Laurel Oak. National champion 1976: CBH 20 9.
Southern Red Oak. State list as (1989) CBH 20 4, ht. 73, spr. 79. Henson residence, Fort Lawn, Chester Co.
Swamp Chestnut Oak.
State list as (1995) CBH 20 2. Ht. 120, spr. 106. Congaree Swamp
National Monument.
Willow Oak.
State list as (1992) CBH 22 0, ht. 103, spr. 116. Maidendown Bay, near Marion, Marion Co.
Tuliptree. State
list as (1984) CBH 20 1, ht. 135, spr. 85.
Hunter May residence, near Hodges, Abbeville Co.
Water Tupelo. State champion (1978) CBH 20 11, ht. 124, spr. 62. Beidler Tract, Congaree Swamp, Richland Co.
ref.: American Forests, April 1978, pp. 50-53: Congaree: Forest of Giants.
INTERESTING TREES OF
GEORGIA
Lovers Oak. Live oak. Corner of Albany Street and Prince Street, Brunswick. Once listed as the state champion. Marked by bronze plaque U.S. Constitution bicentennial tree 1787-1987. Said to be 13 feet in diameter at 3 feet up.
ref.: numerous Internet sites.
Comments: This tree has a huge base, tapering rapidly to a fork about eight feet up, with two leads perhaps four feet thick. A very large low limb is about three feet above grade, greatly contributing to the mass of the base.
Clubhouse Oak. Live oak. Located at guards clubhouse, Georgia State Prison. CBH 22 2.
ref.: Information courtesy of Willard H. Fell.
Comments: From Fells photo, this tree has a single trunk of classic shape, dividing into numerous leads at about fifteen feet up. The crown is symmetrical, and well elevated.
Gennett Poplar. Tuliptree. Called the largest poplar in Georgia, or the second-largest tree in northern Georgia. Circumference said to be almost 18 feet or nearly twenty feet. About 100 feet tall, part of top blown out. Located near Bear Creek Trail, Cohutta Mountains, Chattahoochee National Forest, Murray County.
ref.: Internet hiking information.
GREAT NATIONAL CHAMPION TREES
OF GEORGIA
Cherrybark Oak. National champion 1969-1971: CBH 24 0, ht. 115, spr. 131. Dougherty County.
Laurel Oak. National champion 1969-1971: CBH 19 5, ht. 102, spr. 116. Waycross. (replaced North Carolina champion).
Village Sentinel. Live Oak. National co-champion, 2000-2002: CBH 34 3, ht. 77, spr. 140. State list 8/3/2000. Single trunk. It appears that the limbs do not rest on the ground. Symmetrical crown. Bronze plaque. Located within Baptist Village Retirement Communities, Waycross, Ware Co.
Southern Red Oak. National champion 1999-2002: CBH 26 0, ht. 150, spr. 156. State list 1/12/1996. Thomaston, Upson Co.
Comments: The height appears to be greatly exaggerated, due to false top triangulation. Obviously open grown, the actual height may be 40 feet less.
Water Oak. National champion 1969-1971: CBH 20 11, ht. 72, spr. 90. Hawkinsville, Pulaski Co.
Willow Oak. National co-champion 1972-1982: CBH 24 0, ht. 112, spr. 125. Taliaferro County.
Willow Oak. National champion 1998-2002: CBH 21 7, ht. 138, spr. 116. State list 8/28/1998. Thomaston, Upson Co.
Comments: For a tree with a broad spread, the height appears to be exaggerated (false-top triangulation).
Pondcypress. National champion 1999-2000: CBH 20 3, ht. 115, spr. 54. Altamaha River, Jefferson Davis Co.
ref.: American Forests, 2002 Register, pp 12-13.
Comments: This tree was actually a common baldcypress, and was deleted from the 2002 Register.
Eastern Redcedar. National champion 1997-2002: CBH 20 2, ht. 57, spr. 69. State list 8/8/1994. Lone Hill Church Cemetery, West Green, Coffee County.
ref.: Davey/American Forests calendar, June 2000 (photo).
Comments: This is a most remarkable heavy-limbed tree, with a single trunk.
Baldcypress. CBH 32 11, ht. 78, spr. 53. 11/27/1998. Ebenezer, Effingham Co.
Baldcypress. CBH 23 7, ht. 135, spr. 90. 7/29/1998. Wadley, Jefferson Co.
Black Oak. CBH 20 9, ht. 124, spr. 124. 9/19/1994. Atlanta, Fulton Co.
Cherrybark Oak. CBH 22 6, ht. 91, spr. 140. 6/10/1996. Albany, Dougherty Co.
Laurel Oak. CBH 22 6, ht. 77, spr. 94. 6/7/2000. Fargo, Echols Co.
Scarlet Oak. CBH 20 10, ht. 70, spr. 56. 9/12/2002. Commerce, Jackson Co.
Swamp Chestnut Oak. CBH 20 1, ht. 95, spr. 72. 9/1/1994. Hawkinsville, Pulaski Co.
Water Oak. CBH 21 7, ht. 87, spr. 121. 7/10/1998. Ft. Benning, Chattahoochee Co.
Pecan. CBH 20 10, ht. 83, spr. 123. 8/16/1994. Milledgeville, Wilkinson Co.
American Sycamore.
CBH 20 3, ht. 108, spr. 105.
21/11/2000. Metter, Candler Co.
Tuliptree. CBH 21 3, ht. 128, spr. 65. 3/10/2001. Oconee National Forest, Farmington, Oconee Co.
Water Tupelo. CBH
24 7, ht. 70, spr. 53.
11/28/1998. Ebenezer, Effingham
Co.
The Senator. Baldcypress. Also called the Sovereign Cypress, this is the largest known baldcypress in terms of trunk volume, estimated at 4217 cu. ft. CBH 35 5, ht. 115 (per Dr. Robert Van Pelt). Circumference (at grade) 54 feet, diameter (at grade, before 1979) 17 6. CBH (before 1979) 34 6. Av. spr. 57. Floridas largest tree, claimed to be 3500 years old. Located in Big Tree Park, Spring Hammock Nature Park (state owned), General Hutchinson Parkway, Longwood, Seminole Co.
ref.: American Forests Register, 2002, p. 13 (photo).
ref.: Grimm, William C., 1967. Familiar Trees of America, p. 48.
ref.: Morris, Allen, 1979. The Florida Handbook, p. 422 (description & photo).
ref.: American Forests, Spring 2000, p. 36.
Comments: The age estimate seems excessive, but this is, undoubtedly, a very old tree. The trunk has been found to be entirely hollow, from the ground, where the walls are about thirty inches thick, to a broken top at the 109-foot level. Compared to many old cypresses, the Senator has minimal basal flare. The trunk tapers very gradually, and the tree is thought to have the largest trunk volume of any tree in the eastern United States. A reference to a volume of 8000 cubic feet (AF 2000) appears to be an error.
Water Hickory. National champion 1967-1978: CBH 22 2, ht. 150, spr. 87. Near Blountstown, Calhoun Co.
Laurel Oak. National co-champion 1987-2002: CBH 21 6, ht. 80, spr. 114. Baker, Okaloosa County.
Bulow Creek Live Oak. A live oak in the Bulow Creek State Park is said to be the states seventh largest, and to be 150 feet tall.
ref.: Internet. Bulow Creek State Park.
Comments: The claimed height appears to be enormously exaggerated, approaching twice the actual.
Lake Griffin Live Oak. A live oak in Lake Griffin State Park (460 acres north of Orlando) is said to be Floridas fifth largest, and 130 feet tall.
ref.: Internet. Lake Griffin State Park.
Comments: The stated height appears to be greatly exaggerated.
Old Pisa. Live Oak. Located near Daytona, Florida. Girth 35 feet.
ref.: Lane, Ferdinand C., 1953. The Story of Trees, p. 67.
Live Oak. Circumference 36 feet. Alexander Blair Big Oak Trail, Highlands Hammock State Park, Sebring.
ref.: Internet.
NATIONAL CHAMPION OAKS
Laurel Oak. National champion 1993-2000: CBH 22 2.5, ht. 93, spr. 121.9. Marengo Co. Owner: Charles Mayton.
Swamp Chestnut Oak. National champion 1989-2000: CBH 16 5, ht. 200, spr. 148. National champion 2000-2002: CBH 16 5, ht. 156, spr. 148. Fayette Co.
ref.: Davey/American Forests calendar, July 1994 (photo).
Comments: This tree was first listed as being 200 in height, which exceeded the height record for any eastern hardwood. The measurement was revised to 156, which still appears excessive, taller than any known oak in the east. From the photograph, the actual height may be 120-130 feet. Also, the spread would be unprecedented for a forest-grown tree. It appears the claimed 148 spread is the aggregate of two measurements, not the average; an average spread of 74 feet is more plausible. This tree is more than fifty points smaller than the Maryland champion at St. Pauls Cemetery. It is located in a seasonally flooded brushy wet bottom, apparently a cutover area.
Water Oak. National champion 1990: CBH 22 9, ht. 97, spr. 117. Monroe County.
ALABAMAS BIGGEST STATE CHAMPIONS
Baldcypress. State champion list as CBH 27 0, ht. 131, spr. 47.8. Baldwin Co.
Cherrybark Oak. State champion list as (1999) CBH 20 4.2, ht. 123, spr. 140. Bibb Co. Owner: Joe Elliott, Jr.
Southern Red Oak. State champion list as (1987) CBH 23 10, ht. 92, spr. 123. Pike Co.
Southern Red Oak. State champion list as (1987) CBH 23 11, ht. 107, spr. 133. Montgomery Co. Owner: Hunter J. Flack.
Water Oak. State champion list as (2003) CBH 24 10.2, ht. 80, spr. 98. Montgomery Co. Owner: Hartley & Diane McLaney.
White Oak. State champion list as (1973) CBH 20 11, ht. 140, spr. 130, pts. 423.5. Autauga Co.
Comments: The height of this tree is excessive for a broad crown, suggesting exaggeration by false-top triangulation.
Sycamore.
State champion list as (1973) CBH 28 8.4, ht. 124, spr. 108. Marengo Co.
Owner: W. T. McAlpine.
Tuliptree. State champion list as (1974) CBH 20 8, ht. 151, spr. 73. Lawrence Co. Owner: USDA Forest Service.
Comments: This is presumed to be the same as a tuliptree said to have a 22-foot girth and 150-foot height in the Bee Branch Scenic Area of the Sipsey Wilderness, in the William B. Bankhead National Forest.
Water Tupelo. State champion list as (1984) CBH 21 9.6, ht. 82, spr. 48. Jackson Co. Owner: Washington estate.
GREAT
TREES OF THE PAST
Old Boss, or Old King Shortleaf. Shortleaf Pine. This huge pine escaped injury by a tornado in 1920, but was struck by lightning and killed soon after. It was 120 feet tall, and 91 feet to the first limb. Cut to salvage the lumber, its diameter was 7 3 across the stump, and 4 1 at the first limb. It yielded five 16 logs, and one 10 log, all clear. Three ten-foot logs were cut from leads in the top. Owned by Legan and McClure Lumber Co. of Bates, Mississippi, the tree stood near Nanawayah Creek, in the headwaters of the Pearl River, in Winston County, 16 miles east of Louisville, Mississsippi.
ref.: Internet 2003, Sam Lindsey web page. See old newspaper article and photographs.
The Tree That Won a Locomotive. Longleaf pine. Cut by J. S. Newman Lumber Co. of Hattiesburg in 1902 or 1903. The butt log of this tree was exhibited at the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis. The log was 12 long, and 9 in diameter at the larger end. It won a competition, receiving a full-sized logging locomotive as the prize. The tree stood in northwest Lamar County.
ref.: Internet, 2003. Sam Lindsey web page. Text and old photograph.
MISSISSIPPI
LIVE OAKS
Councilor Oak. Live oak. Circumference over 21 feet. Spread over 100 feet. Pradat House, Biloxi.
ref.: Randall, Charles Edgar and Henry Clepper, 1976. Famous and Historic Trees. The American Forestry Association, p. 33.
MISSISSIPPIS LARGEST NATIONAL
CHAMPION TREES
Southern Catalpa. National champion. State list as CBH 22 7, ht. 88, spr. 68. Yalobusha Co.
Southern Magnolia. National champion 1986-1992: CBH 20 3, ht. 122, spr. 63. Smith County.
Southern Magnolia.
National champion 1994-2002: CBH 22 4, ht. 98, spr. 90. Spead (state list): 89.5. Jones County.
Nuttall Oak. National co-champion. State list as CBH 21 8, ht. 110, spr. 96. Washington Co.
Water Oak. National champion 1990: CBH 21 8, ht. 105, spr. 117. Itawamba County.
Water Oak.
National co-champion. State list
as CBH 23 10, ht. 118, spr. 108.
Jones Co.
Willow Oak.
National champion 1986-2000: CBH 26 6, ht. 73, spr. 132. Noxubee Co.
Pecan.
National co-champion 1981-1982: CBH 19 11.5, ht. 128, spr. 130.
Warren Co.
BIG STATE CHAMPIONS OF
MISSISSIPPI
Baldcypress. State champion list as CBH 46 9, ht. 70. Located on Mississippi Dept. of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks property, 8 miles north of Belzoni, in Humphreys Co.
Baldcypress. See state champion list. Former state champion, located within 300 feet of present (46 9) champion.
Eastern Cottonwood. State champion list as CBH 23 8, ht. 120, spr. 141. Tunica Co.
Cherrybark Oak. State champion list as CBH 24 3, ht. 137, spr. 133. Warren Co.
Live Oak. State champion list as CBH 30 4, ht. 81, spr. 145. Pearl River Co.
Southern Red Oak. State champion list as CBH 25 3, ht. 96, spr. 48 7. Panola Co.
Swamp Chestnut Oak.
State champion list as CBH 21 2, ht. 92, spr. 93.5. Warren Co.
Willow Oak. State champion list as CBH 21 1, ht. 140, spr. 118. Lee Co.
Pecan. State champion list as CBH 21 2, ht. 132, spr. 115. Adams Co.
Water Tupelo. State champion list as CBH 25 3, ht. 96, spr. 58. Leflore Co.
LIVE OAKS
The Live Oak Society was founded in Louisiana in 1934. Live oaks are designated as officers of the society, being nominated by their owner or sponsor. More than 4000 live oaks in eight states have been listed as members, including some that were larger than trees serving (presumably permanently) as officers. It is unknown if there are any rules regarding the height where circumference is taken.
ref.: The Live Oak Society (Internet)
Locke Breaux Live Oak. National champion April1941-1966: CBH 35 0, ht. 78, spr. 168. President of the Live Oak Society 1934-1966. Located near Hahnville (or Taft), St. Charles Parish. Died 1966.
ref.: American Forests, August 1955, p. 38 (photos).
Comments: Perhaps the largest of measured live oaks, this massive tree had a fairly decent trunk. Heavy limbed; from the 1955 photograph it appears a very large limb had torn away, leaving a gaping hole in the lower trunk, which may have been hollow. It appears that the ends of some limbs reached to the ground, but the tree was essentially self-supporting. The 168-foot spread may have been a maximum, not average, but was probably a record for any eastern species.
Seven Sisters Live Oak. Formerly called Dobys Seven Sisters, due to its seven trunks. National champion 1976-2002: CBH 36 7, ht. 55, spr. 132. President of the Live Oak Society since 1966. Located at 200 Fountain Street, Lewisburg, Mandeville, St. Tammany Parish (north of Lake Ponchartrain).
ref.: American Forests, National Register of Big Trees, Spring 2000, p 22 (photo).
ref.: American Forests, Spring 2000, p. 35 (photo), 36 (text).
ref.: American Forests, National Register of Big Trees, Spring 2002, p. 25 (photo)
Comments: As acknowledged by American Forests, this is a seven trunked coppice-like structure with no defined trunk, and a cleft between basal groups. Circumference probably taken well below breast height.
St. John The Divine Cathedral Oak. Girth 27 feet. 2nd vice president of the Live Oak Society (South Carolinas Middleton Oak is the 1st vice president). Located in Lafayette, La. This impressive tree stands in a developed area, presumably on church grounds. It has a massive trunk about 30 feet tall, with perhaps eight large limbs at different levels. Reportedly, some limbs are supported by props.
LaGarde Oak. (Luling Live Oak). Girth 29 feet. 3rd vice president of Live Oak Society since 1934. Luling, La.
Arnaud Robert Live Oak. Girth 33.10 feet. Former 1st vice president of the Live Oak Society. Cecilia, St. Martin Parish. Died before 1989.
George Washington Live Oak. Girth 28.06 feet. Former 2nd vice president of the Live Oak Society. Audubon Park, New Orleans, Orleans Parish. Died before 1989.
Martha Washington Oak. Girth 28 feet. Former 4th vice president of the Live Oak Society. Audubon Park, New Orleans, Orleans Parish. Now dead.
McDonough Oak. Live oak. Trunk diameter ca. 8 feet. Circumference over 24 feet. Ht. 60 feet, spr. 140 feet. Named in honor of John McDonough, city benefactor. Located in City Park, New Orleans.
ref.: Famous Trees of the United States, Womans Day Magazine, ca. 1959. (photo)
ref.: Randall, Charles Edgar and Henry Clepper, 1976. Famous and Historic Trees. The American Forestry Association, p. 81.
Cat Island Cypress. Baldcypress. National champion 1981-2002: CBH 53 8, ht. 83, spr. 85. Cat Island Wildlife Management Area, five miles west of St. Francisville, West Feliciana Parish.
ref.: American Forests, National Register of Big Trees, 1982, p. 25 (photo).
ref.: American Forests, Spring 2000, p. 38 (photo).
ref.: American Forests, National Register of Big Trees, Spring 2002, p. 12 (photo).
Comments: Unusual stocky hollow tree with an irregular double but unified trunk and flaring bases. The trees unusual form has resulted in some controversy regarding its chief competitor, The Senator, in Florida.
Shumard Oak. National champion 1975-1982: CBH 21 9, ht. 97, spr. 105. Lake Providence.
Swamp Chestnut Oak. National champion 1961-1966: CBH 20 9, ht. 130, spr. 100. Near Urania, La Salle County.
Water Oak. National champion 1996-2002: 23 2, ht. 120, spr. 111. Roseland Plantation, Concordia Parish.
Pecan. National champion 1945-1966: CBH 21 4, ht. 135, spr. 145. Assumption Parish.
ref. Grimm, William C., 1967. Familiar Trees of America, p. 93.
Comments: In 1966, AFA mistakenly listed this tree as being in Michigan.
This tree is probably dead, the 1972 champion pecan from Louisiana being smaller in all respects.
Water Tupelo. National champion 1970-71: CBH 27 1, ht. 105, spr. 45. Kinder, Allen County.
EXCEPTIONAL
TREES
Pecan. Locally called Jumbo. Girth 24 feet, height 120 feet. Near San Saba.
ref.: Lane, Ferdinand C. 1953. The Story of Trees, p.67.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Water Oak. National champion 1960-1966: CBH 20 3, ht. 77, spr. 100. Near Center.
Pecan. National champion 1999-2000: CBH 21 5, ht. 91, spr. 120. Internet: CBH 20 11, ht. 118, spr. 159. A local tourist attraction, located on the farm of Billy and Lynn Finch, Highway 51, 2.7 miles north of Weatherford, Parker Co.
Comments: It appears this tree is in failing condition with serious basal decay. From a photo on the Internet, this is a very handsome tree, heavy limbed and symmetrical, with perhaps twenty feet of single trunk. The claimed 159 spread seems excessive, as does the suggested age of 1000-1100 years. This tree was dethroned by a Tennessee pecan (431 points to 388) but that tree is double trunked.
Red Mulberry. National champion 1984-1999: CBH 20 8, ht. 62, spr. 76. Edmond, Oklahoma County.
Arkansas
Persimmon. Girth said to be 22 feet, height 130 feet. Luxora.
ref.: Lane, Ferdinand C. 1953. The Story of Trees, p. 67.
Comments: The girth of this tree is far beyond other known maximums for the species. This may have been a basal girth of a multiple-trunked tree.
GREAT
TREES OF THE PAST
Big Oak. Bur oak. The largest tree at Big Oak Tree State Park. The park was named for this tree, and contains numerous champion trees. The old oak was a tall, forest grown specimen nearly seven feet in diameter with some basal decay. It died ca. 1975, and was felled.
ref.: American Forests, July 1986, p. 40.
MISSOURIS GREATEST
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Swamp Chestnut Oak. National champion July 1986. 1984 measurement: CBH 20 11, ht. 142, spr. 96, pts 417, easily surpassing the 352-point April 1986 champion found in Virginia. Big Oak Tree State Park, Mississippi County.
ref: American Forests, July 1986, p.40 (photo).
Comments: This is a very significant forest grown tree with columnar trunk. It was nearly equaled by a 416-point North Carolina tree listed as co-champion in 1988. Both trees were deprived of national listing in 1992, when an Alabama tree with a bogus height of 200 and 435 points was crowned. A bogus tree from Tennessee with an impossible spread of 216 and 434 points was listed in 2000. The Tennessee tree was dropped in 2002, and the Alabama tree was reduced to 390 points. Neither the Missouri nor North Carolina tree was reinstated. The Maryland champion in Kent County appears to be the leader with a 425.2-point measurement in 2002. The Missouri and North Carolina trees (if extant) should be remeasured.
MISSOURIS LARGEST
STATE CHAMPIONS
Baldcypress. State champion list as CBH 25 10, ht. 128, spr. 74. New Madrid Co.
Northern Catalpa. State champion list as CBH 20 2, ht. 50, spr. 72. Robinson Cemetery. Owner: Virginia Robinson, Hannibal, Marion County.
Eastern Cottonwood. State champion list as CBH 25 9, ht. 117, spr. 103. Property of Robert L. Bell, Joseph and Esther Streets, St. Joseph, Buchanan Co.
American Elm. State champion list as CBH 22 3, ht. 73, spr. 67. Location: 200 yards south of Old Bass Road, 1.3 miles west of Hwy. 54, Cote County. Owner: Wesley and Betty Scott.
Hackberry. State champion list as CBH 19 11, ht. 87, spr. 86. Location: front yard of Mr. and Mrs. Duane Schaller, 2.3 miles south of Lexington on Hwy. 13, Lafayette County.
Silver Maple . State champion list as CBH 23 0, ht. 100, spr. 75. Location: Sec 17, T47N, R4W, off Bear Creek Road, Warren County. Owner: Bill, David and Katherine Klein.
Silver Maple. State champion list as CBH 20 1, ht. 121, spr. 120. Location: NWNE, Sec 17, T51N, R23W, near railroad and levee, Saline Co. Owner: Jay Plattner.
Bur Oak. State champion list as CBH 22 8, ht. 84, spr. 116. Along Bur Oak Road, one mile northwest of McBaine, Boone Co. Owner: John Sam Williamson, Jr.
Swamp Chestnut Oak. State champion list as CBH 21 6, ht. 128, spr. 101. Big Oak Tree State park, Mississippi County.
Comments: This 411.25-point specimen is of different dimensions from the 417-point 1986 national champion in the same state park. It is unknown if it is the same tree.
American Sycamore. State champion list as CBH 24 3, ht. 112, spr. 200. Cape Girardeau Co.
ref.: American Forests, February 1969. (photo)
Comments: The photograph suggests that this is a forest-grown tree with a clear trunk to some height. Under any circumstances, the claimed 200 spread is implausible, and is probably an aggregate, not an average.
GREAT
TREES OF THE PAST
The Coonden Tree. American Chestnut. Diameter: ten feet eight inches across the stump. This was a hollow tree, located on the former Seaton Farm, in a small valley called Coonden Tree Hollow. It was the largest tree in the area where Jesse Stuart grew up. Not yet claimed by blight, the old chestnut was felled by raccoon hunters, probably in the 1920s. Undoubtedly located near W-Hollow, in Greenup County.
ref.: Stewart, Jesse. Trees I Have Known. American Forests, March 1970, pp. 33, 40, 42.
Comments: If perfectly round, the stump girth would have been 33.5. Hunters would have no incentive to cut low, so we might assume the tree was cut about three feet above grade. Correcting by the Rule of 73, CBH would have been 30 5.
Tuliptree. Forest-grown specimen said to have been eighty feet to the first branch. Owned by Ritter Lumber Company, cut 1/12/1937. Said to have been 27 feet around the base. Proved to have a hollow center 5 10 in diameter at stump height. Located at Linn Fork, near Highway 699, ca. one mile from the Leatherwood school, Leatherwood, Perry County.
ref.: Internet (hazardkentucky.com) Article and photograph. Courtesy of Will Blozan, November 2003.
Comments: The article contains a number of wild exaggerations to support the claim of worlds largest tuliptree. These include a height of nearly 250 feet, and an age of 2000 years. Accounts submitted to the web page included a stump diameter of eleven feet. The photograph suggests the hollow base might have produced a girth of 27 feet at grade, but tapered rapidly.
KENTUCKYS LARGEST NATIONAL
CHAMPIONS
Eastern Cottonwood. National champion 1972-1978: CBH 27 4, ht. 121, spr. 96. Kentucky Bend.
American Elm. National champion 1991-1992: CBH 260, ht. 100, spr. 91. Louisville. This tree is presumed dead.
Slippery Elm. National champion 1966: CBH 21 2.
Bur Oak. National champion 1980-1982: CBH 26 6, ht. 95, spr. 101. 1994: CBH 26 7, ht. 95, spr. 102. National champion 1995-2003: CBH 26 7, ht. 96, spr. 103. Northeast of Parris.
ref.: Davey/American Forests calendar, October 1994 (photo).
ref.: Davey/American Forests calendar, November 2002 (photo).
ref.: Davey/American Forests calendar, November 2003 (photo).
Comments: This is a handsome single trunked specimen.
Chinquapin Oak. National champion/co-champion 1973-1990: CBH 20 1, ht. 91, spr. 82. Montgomery Co.
ref.: American Forests, National Register of Big Trees, February 1992, pp. 8-9 (photo).
Chinquapin Oak. National champion 1995-2002: 26 6, ht. 110, spr. 92. Near Montgomery, Clark Co.
ref.: American Forests, National Register of Big Trees, Spring 2002, pp. 10-11 (photo).
Comments: The photograph is unclear, but this may be a double tree.
Pin Oak. National champion 2001-2002: CBH 20, ht. 134, spr. 88. Bell County.
Scarlet Oak. National champion 1995-2002: CBH 20 8, ht. 120, spr. 93. Powell Co.
ref.: American Forests, National Register of Big Trees 2000, pp. 12-13 (photo).
ref.: Davey/American Forests calendar, October 2002 (photo).
Comments: This is a handsome single-trunked tree on a road bank with an unusually large buttressed base.
Swamp White Oak. National co-champion 1977-1982: CBH 20 7, ht. 104 spr. 119. Tomkinsville.
ref.: American Forests, National Register of Big Trees, 1982, p. 42 (photo).
Comments: A massive open-grown tree, heavy-limbed with one central trunk to some height.
Sassafras. National champion since 1954. 1966: CBH 16 0, ht. 88, spr. 68; 1972: CBH 17 3, ht. 100, spr. 68; 1986: CBH 21 1, ht. 76, spr. 69. National champion 1995-2002: 21 10, ht. 78 spr. 69. Identified by a historical highway marker. Owensboro, Davless County.
ref.: American Forestry Association, additions to national register, February 1969 (photo).
ref.: American Forests, National Register of Big Trees, 2000, pp. 4-5 (photo).
Comments: This tree has a single trunk, with two large limbs perhaps 6 up. With the death of Marylands Wye Oak (champion 1940-2002), this tree may be the longest-reigning national champion in the east.
American Sycamore. National champion 2001-2002: CBH 36 8, ht. 85, spr. 68. Grassy Creek, Montgomery Co. Owners: Barbara Vaughn and Hubert Verhofstadt.
ref.: American Forests, National Register of Big Trees, 2002, pp. 12-13 (photo).
ref.: Internet. BywaysUSA.com (photo)
Comments: This tree is a very significant specimen with an immense single trunk, which is completely hollow, with a large opening. Much of the crown has been lost to trunk failure, perhaps thirty feet up, but vigorous branches sustain the tree. Three cows have been seen in the hollow at one time.
American Sycamore. National champion 1973-1982: CBH 39, ht. 96, spr. 100. Estil County. This tree died in 1982.
Comments: It is unknown if this tree had a single trunk. It was succeeded by a multiple-trunked specimen in Ohio.
KENTUCKY STATE CHAMPION
Kentucky Coffeetree. CBH 20 1. Located in Morgan Co.
ref.: Internet.
GREAT
TREES OF THE PAST
Logan Elm. American elm. Once Ohios best-known historic tree. Reputed site of 1774 treaty with Indians, named in honor of Chief Logan. Trunk diameter (before 1927) 7 feet at 6 feet above grade. Height 70 feet, spread 148 feet. Logan Elm State Park, 6 miles south of Circleville, Pickaway County. Tree damaged by storm 1961, dead by 1964.
ref.: Illick, Joseph S. 1927, Common Trees of Ohio, p. 9.
ref.: Logan Elm Hit by Heavy Winds, Baltimore Sun, 5/16/1961.
ref.: Tree Named after Indian Chief is Dead. Baltimore Morning Sun, 8/8/1964.
Rathbone Elm. American elm. Circumference at ground 50 feet. Height 99 feet, spread 150 feet. Located on Muskingum Drive, Marietta, Washington County, Ohio. Died (Dutch elm disease), taken down 1959. Claimed to be 400 years old, and the largest standing elm in the world.
ref.: Mammoth Ohio Elm Tree Dies. Baltimore Sun, 11/6/1959.
ref.: The Marcolian (newsletter of Marietta College). Internet.
Comments: The claim largest standing elm, may have been justified, since many of the great elms (Gowanda, Wethersfield, etc.) had died by 1959. According to The Marcolian, the tree was 105 feet high, with a girth of 24 feet, and 170 foot spread. Even a maximum spread of 170 feet is probably exaggerated; it would exceed that of any tree recorded in the east, and far more than the Wethersfield Elm.
American Sycamore. Washington, as a young surveyor, measured a hollow sycamore having a girth of a round forty feet on an island in the Ohio River.
ref.: Lane, Ferdinand C., 1952. The Story of Trees, p.65.
Comments: Lane continues to say that, in 1802, Joseph Francois Michaud [Michaux] found a 47 tree in the same neighborhood. He does not suggest that it was the same tree as Washingtons.
American Sycamore. Tree measured in 1802 by Francois Michaux near Marietta. Girth 47 feet at four feet above grade, trunk hollow, but without any visible opening.
ref.: Lamb, Frank H. 1939. Book of the Hardwood Trees, p. 249.
ref.: Peattie, Donald Culross, 1950. A Natural History of Trees, p. 319.
ref.: Lane, Ferdinand C., 1952. The Story of Trees, p.65.
Comments: Lamb mentions a 40 4 sycamore as being near by, but the tree actually was one measured by Michauxs father Andre in 1790, and located some miles away on the Kanawha River in West Virginia.
American Sycamore. Hollow tree, circumference 42 at 5 above grade. 21 feet in diameter, and 60 in girth at the base. The opening was ten feet across at the base, and 9 ½ feet high. The hollow was 14 in diameter, presumably at grade. The tree was forked, dividing about eight feet up. One lead was broken off, the other living. Thirteen horses were ridden into the hollow in June 1808. The tree was still standing in 1810. Located on the farm of Abram Miller. Seal Township (now Valley Township), Northern Scioto County.
ref.: Internet. Back to Our Roots: A Trek Through the History of Ohios Forests.
ref.: Internet. Scioto County History. (The Sycamore of Fifteen Horsemen).
OHIOS LARGEST NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Slippery Elm. National champion 1989-1994: CBH 20 0, ht. 100, spr. 119. Village Park, Sugar Grove.
ref.: Davey/American Forests calendar, November 1994 (photo).
ref.: Davey/American Forests calendar, January 1997 (photo).
Comments: Despite numerous leads above a short trunk, the tree may be valid.
Black Oak. National champion 1964-1966: CBH 22 3, ht. 125, spr. 85. Warrensville Heights.
Chinquapin Oak.
National co-champion 1971-1982: CBH 21 11, ht. 72, spr. 62. 1990: CBH 22 0, ht. 72, spr. 66. Ross
Co.
Northern Red Oak. National co-champion 1978-1982: CBH 26 3, ht. 88, spr. 88. Ashtabula County.
Swamp White Oak. National champion 1999-2002: CBH 23 6, ht. 75, spr. 107. Washington County.
American Sycamore. National champion 1986-1999: CBH 48 6, ht. 129, spr. 105. Clarence Briggs Farm, Jeromesville, Ashland County.
ref.: American Forests, Spring 2000, p.36.
ref.: Internet. Helios: Barbara Bosworth National Champion Sycamore. photo.
Comments: The Bosworth photo shows that this tree was located near a stream, and was a coppice, with four well-separated stems, and no central trunk. In 2000, American Forests acknowledged that the Ohio tree had multiple trunks forking below breast height, and has removed it from the national register. Although this tree was listed as being measured in 1974, a Kentucky tree was listed as the champion in 1978 and 1982. The Ohio tree was first listed in American Forests for April 1986
American Sycamore. National champion 1957-1966: CBH 32 10, ht. 80, spr. 102. Near South Bloomfield.
Yellowwood. National champion 1987-1998: CBH 23, ht. 72, spr. 73; 2000-2002: CBH 21 4, ht. 61, spr. 63. Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati.
ref.: Davey/American Forests calendar, October 1997 (photo).
Comments: This tree is a large coppice with numerous leads. The circumference was probably taken about one foot above grade. The measurements were reduced by 2000, but it is presumed to be the same tree.
OHIOS LARGEST
STATE CHAMPION TREES
White Ash. State champion list as CBH 21 0, ht. 115, spr. 90. Erie Co.
American Beech. State champion list as CBH 20 2, ht. 110, spr. 60. Ashtabula Co.
Northern Catalpa. State champion list as CBH 21 1, ht. 73, spr. 91. Gallia Co.
Eastern Cottonwood. State champion list as CBH 28 7, ht. 136, spr. 135. Delaware Co.
American Elm. State champion list as CBH 22 2, ht. 118, spr. 107. Ross Co.
Slippery Elm. State champion list as CBH 20 10, ht. 100, spr. 100. Huron Co.
Cucumber Magnolia. State champion list as CBH 20 7, ht. 94, spr. 93. Stark Co.
Red Maple. State champion list as CBH 23 0, ht. 81, spr. 70. Carroll Co.
Silver Maple. State champion list as CBH 22 10, ht. 100, spr. 90. Ashtabula Co.
Black Oak. State champion list as CBH 20 10, ht. 55, spr. 88. Gallia Co.
Bur Oak. State champion list as CBH 20 9, ht. 117, spr. 117. Hamilton Co.
Northern Red Oak. State champion list as CBH 23 3, ht. 90, spr. 61. Ashtabula Co.
White Oak. State champion list as CBH 21 5, ht. 104, spr. 130, pts. 393.5. Ross Co.
White Oak. State champion list as CBH 22 10, ht. 93, spr, 122, pts. 397.5. Athens Co.
Osage Orange. State champion list as CBH 22 1, ht. 60, spr. 80. Coshocton Co.
American Sycamore. State champion list as CBH 29 3, ht. 119, spr. 94. Grand River watershed, Sustinburg Township, Ashtabula Co.
Black Willow. State champion list as CBH 28 8, ht. 74, spr. 85. Richland Co.
GREAT
TREES OF THE PAST
American Sycamore. Tree near Worthington, Greene County. Girth 42 3 at 5 above grade, according to the American Genetic Association (Lamb, 1939). Height said to be 150 feet.
ref.: Illick, Joseph S. 1927. Common Trees of Indiana, p. 83.
ref.: Lamb, Frank H., 1939. Book of the Hardwood Trees, p. 249.
ref.: Lane, Ferdinand C., 1953. The Story of Trees, p.66.
Comments: Although Lane speaks of the tree as now growing in 1953, Illick states that it was blown down in 1925. The 150-foot height is excessive for what was, certainly, an open-grown tree.
American Sycamore. The Worlds Biggest Sycamore Stump. This large tree grew on the north bank of Wildcat Creek, two miles north of New London, in Howard County. The trunk was broken in a storm, leaving a high hollow stump. A large limb was said to be eight feet in diameter. On June 18, 1916, the stump was moved 2 ½ miles to City Park (now Highland Park) in Kokomo, at a cost of $300. The stump once served as a phone booth, and is now housed as a tourist attraction. Estimates of the trees age have ranged from 434 to 1500 years. The stump is said to be 12 feet high, 57 feet in girth, and 217 inches (18 feet 1 inch) in diameter.
ref.: Numerous Internet references.
Comments: The stump appears to have been cut at grade, and includes considerable root flare. The diameter is proportionate to the basal circumference. Size at breast height is unknown.
NATIONAL
CHAMPIONS OF INDIANA
Pin Oak. National co-champion 1982-1986: CBH 22 0, ht. 81, spr. 99. Hope.
GREAT TREES
OF THE PAST
American Sycamore. A tree on the banks of Coffee Creek, four miles below Mt. Carmel, in Wabash County, is said to have been 16 feet in diameter and 168 feet tall. Another source gives a girth of 66 feet at the base, and a circumference of 62 feet twenty feet above grade. The tree was cut by the owner in 1897, after numerous sightseers damaged his crops. Photographs of the tree are displayed at the Red Barn Nature Center in Beall Woods State Park.
ref.: American Forests, Spring 2000, p.36.
ref.: Internet. INHS Reports November-December 1997.
Comments: Some of the dimensions are questionable. An exposed root system could measure 66 feet, but the claimed 62-foot girth at twenty feet may have been a transposition. The elevation of the 16-foot diameter is unknown. The height of 168 feet is well above accurate records for the species.
SOME LARGE ILLINOIS
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Southern Catalpa. National champion 1981-1990: CBH 22 2, ht. 80, spr. 60. Henderson County.
Eastern Cottonwood. National champion 1973-1978: CBH 27 4, ht. 120, spr. 111. Called the largest tree in the state. Located on the south side of the I & M Canal, one mile west of Gebhard Woods, in Grundy County.
Hackberry. National champion 1994-2003: CBH 20 9, ht. 84, spr. 89. Owner: John and Carol Witt, Ware County. Blown down 2003.
ref.: American Forests, Summer 2003, p. 14 (photo).
Pin Oak. National co-champion 1978-1982: CBH 20 0, ht. 100, spr. 80. Mt. Eric Township.
LARGE STATE CHAMPIONS OF ILLINOIS
Sycamore. State champion (1998) as CBH 31 0, ht. 119, spr. 134. Located in the southern part of Christian County.
ref.: Internet. Stately Sycamore. (text & photo by William McClain).
Comments: From the photograph, this is a double tree, cleft to the ground. The article suggests that the central trunk has been hidden by continuing soil deposition around the tree, but it is clearly a coppice.
NATIONAL
CHAMPIONS
Eastern Cottonwood. National champion 1979-1982: CBH 34 1, ht. 78, spr. 126. Tama County.
Cucumber Magnolia. National champion 1985-2002: CBH 24 5, ht. 75, spr. 83. Waukon.
Comments: Planted, not indigenous.
Silver Maple. National champion 1993-1998: CBH 31 7, ht. 61, spr. 82. Polk City.
Wisconsin
GREAT
TREES OF THE PAST
MacArthur Pine. Eastern white pine. National champion, 1948-1971. Named by a Milwaukee newspaper in 1945 in honor of General Douglas MacArthur. CBH 17 8, ht. 148. Weight 27 tons. 35 feet of trunk hollow. Nicolet National Forest, near Newald. 40 feet of top blown out in 1977. Struck by lightning in 1986. Felled by a suspicious fire on 6/23/2001.
ref.: The
Capital, newspaper, Annapolis, Md. 7/12/2001.
ref.: Randall, Charles Edgar and Henry Clepper 1976. Famous and Historic Trees. The American Forestry Association, p. 22.
Eastern white pine. A white pine felled near the Flambeau River, in northwest Wisconsin yielded 14 logs that scaled 22,620 board feet.
ref.: Stevens Point Journal, 2/26/1898. (courtesy of Paul Jost, 2/16/2004).
Eastern white pine. A white pine near the Plover River, in the Hatley area of Marathon County, was reported to have a circumference of 19 6, and a height of nearly 200 feet.
ref.: S. A. Sherman, pioneer lumberman, 1884. (courtesy of Paul Yost, 2/16/2004)
Eastern white pine. A white pine to be cut on the land of Mr. Wadleigh, near Hatley, Marathon County, was said to be the largest in Wisconsin. It was 27 feet in circumference.
ref.: Stevens Point Journal, 12/1/1883. (courtesy of Paul Yost, 2/16/2004)
WISCONSINS
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Hackberry. National champion 1989-1990: CBH 20 2, ht. 111, spr. 89. Rock County.
Silver Maple. National champion 1989-1992, also 1998-2002: CBH 24 5, ht. 115, spr. 110. Columbia County.
ref.: National Register of Big Trees, American Forests, January/February 1994, p.23 (photo).
ref.: National Register of Big Trees, American Forests, Spring 2002, p.21 (photo).
Comments: This is a multiple trunked tree of coppice form. Although the elevation of the lowest fork may be above breast height, owing to the sloping terrain, the obvious coppice form should take precedence, and the tree should be removed from the register.
Peachleaf Willow. National champion 1988-2000: CBH 34 9, ht. 58, spr. 82. Greenfield Park, West Allis.
ref.: American Forests, National Register
of Big Trees, Spring 1998, p. 27 (photo).
ref.: American Forests, National Register of Big Trees, Spring 2000, p. 57 (photo),
ref.: American Forests, Spring 2000, p. 37 (photo).
Comments: This appears to be a five or six-trunked coppice, with no defined trunk. In one photograph, exposed roots seem to indicate where the central parent tree has rotted away.
WISCONSINS
LARGEST STATE CHAMPIONS
Eastern Cottonwood. State champion list as CBH 29 6, ht. 110, spr. 41.3. Seneca, Green Lake Co.
Bur Oak. State champion list as (1995) CBH 20 2, ht. 53, spr. 79. Dousman, Waukesha Co.
OTHER BIG
TREES OF WISCONSIN
Eastern Cottonwood. Circumference 23.2, ht. 138, spr. 132. Located in a park near the Marquette County courthouse on State Highway 23 west of Montello, in Marquette County.
BIG
TREES OF THE PAST
Tuliptree. National champion 1967: CBH 19' 3", ht. 176', spr. 112'. Fred Russ Forest Park (10 acres), near Dowagiac, Cass County. Tree blown down in May 1984. About sixteen feet of the trunk has been preserved under a shelter. An Internet source claims the tree was 23.6' in girth, 200' tall, and had a spread of 136'.
ref.: American Forests, September 1967.
ref.: Internet. "TreeHunt: Yellow-Poplar"
Comments: The height of this tree was greatly exaggerated.
SOME MICHIGAN
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Green Ash. National champion 1990-1994: CBH 20 2, ht. 131, spr. 121. 1995-2002: CBH 21 6, ht. 95, spr. 95. Cass County. State champion 1994-1997: CBH 21 7, ht. 95, spr. 95. Topash and Townline Road, North of Dowagiac, Cass Co.
ref.: Davey/American Forests calendar, January 1994(photo)
ref.: Davey/American Forests calendar, October 2000 (photo).
ref.: Internet. 1997 Michigan list.
Comments: Trunk
probably measured below breast height.
A very low-branched specimen, with three massive leads, but not a
typical coppice. The reduction in
height and spread suggests some earlier problems in measuring.
White Ash. National champion 1976: CBH 20 5, ht. 114, spr. 126. Near Adrian, Lenawee County.
American Basswood. National champion1971-1982: CBH 22 3, ht. 115, spr. 76. Grand Traverse County.
Northern Catalpa. National champion/co-champion 1990-1997: CBH 20 2, ht. 107, spr. 85. State Capitol grounds, Lansing, Ingham County.
Black Cherry. National champion 1959-1966: CBH 23 4, ht. 102, spr. 89. National champion 1972-1978: CBH 23 9, ht. 114, spr. 93. Lawrence, Van Buren Co.
Black Cherry. National champion 1994-1996: CBH 15 11, ht. 138, spr. 126. Waswhtenaw County. State co-champion 1997: CBH 15 3, ht. 82, spr. 36. North end of Pineview Road, south of Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County.
ref.: American Forests, National Register of Big Trees, 1996, p. 31 (photo).
ref.: Internet. 1997 Michigan list.
Comments: It appears the national and state champions are the same tree. The photograph shows three remaining limbs on one side of a short trunk hidden by vegetation. Much decay, breakage, and dieback is evident, all well-weathered, suggesting the breakage occurred well before the tree was listed as a national champion. It is extremely doubtful that an open-grown tree ever reached 138 in height.
Eastern Cottonwood. National champion 1963-1966: CBH 25 9, ht. 131, spr. 129. National champion 1973-1978: CBH 25 9, ht. 137, spr. 129. Wayne County. State champion 1992-1997: CBH 28 7, ht. 107, spr. 92. Near Michigan and Josephine, Wayne, Wayne Co.
ref.: Internet. 1997 Michigan list.
Comments: It is uncertain if the national and state champions are the same tree.
American Elm (Buckley Elm). Dead. National co-champion September 1997-2002: CBH 23 6, ht. 112, spr. 115. near Buckley, near Traverse City, Grand Traverse Co. State champion 1997: CBH 23 6, ht. 112, spr. 116. Located in a cornfield on Wilson Road, 3 miles northwest of Buckley. The tree is in Grand Traverse County, 1.5 miles north of the Grand Traverse/Wexford county line. Buckley is in Wexford Co. Tree dead from Dutch elm disease by 2003.
ref.: Internet. 1997 Michigan list.
ref.: Champion Elm Dying of Disease, Expert Says. Baltimore Sun 9/11/2000.
ref.: American Forests, National Register of Big Trees, Spring 1998, p. 20 (photo).
Red Maple. National champion 1984-1994: CBH 18 6, ht. 179, spr. 120. 6700 Puttygut Road, St. Clair, China Township, St. Clair County.
Comments: The height was greatly exaggerated, probably due to false-top triangulation, resulting in a figure taller than any known eastern hardwood. The spread also was inflated. The tree was measured with a laser by Will Blozan on 12/30/2002: CBH 19 6, ht. 120.4, spr. 82. No crown breakage or other explanation for the difference has been determined.
Silver Maple. National champion 1972-1982: CBH 22 7, ht. 125, spr. 111. National champion 1986-1992: CBH 23 0, ht. 125, spr. 134. Rochester, Oakland Co. State champion 1997: CBH 24 9, ht. 79, spr. 77. 405 West Stony Creek Road, ½ mile ,west of Rochester Road, Oakland County.
ref.: Internet. 1997 Michigan list.
Comments: It is
uncertain that the national and state champions are the same tree.
Black Oak. National co-champion 1981-1982: 21 2, ht. 107, spr. 122. Monroe County.
ref.: American Forests, National Register of Big Trees, 1982, p. 37 (photo).
Black Oak. National champion & co-champion 1976-1982: CBH 199, ht. 117, spr. 129. National champion 1986: CBH 20 6, ht. 127, spr. 137. National champion 1990: CBH 20 7, ht. 131, spr. 137. St. Clair County. State champion 1964-1997: CBH 20 7, ht. 131, spr. 137 Washington and Clay (school), Algonac, St. Clair Co.
ref.: American Forests, National Register of Big Trees, 1986, p. 21 (photo).
ref.: Internet. 1997 Michigan list.
Comments: This is a very handsome open-grown tree with a good trunk, but probably not as tall as listed.
Bur Oak. National champion 1965-1966: CBH 20 9, ht. 122, spr. 107. Algonac, St. Clair County.
Bur Oak. National champion 1975-1978. CBH 22 0, ht. 126, spr. 124. Niles, Berrien Co. State champion 1994-1997: CBH 24 0, ht. 92, spr. 106. 702 Chippewa Trail, Niles, Berrien County.
ref.: Internet. 1997 Michigan list.
Comments: It is uncertain that the national and state champions are the same tree.
Northern Red Oak. National co-champion 1978-1982: CBH 23 3, ht. 118, spr. 128. Berrien County.
Pecan. National champion 1945-1966: CBH 21 4, ht. 135, spr. 145. Clawson, Oakland County.
Eastern White Pine. National co-champion 1984-1990: CBH 15 6, ht. 201, spr. 52. Fisher Creek Trail, Huron Mt. Club, Marquette Co.
Comments: The height was greatly exaggerated. The tallest known accurately measured white pine in Michigan is in Hartwick Pines State Park, and is 157 tall.
Eastern White Pine. National co-champion 1984-1990: CBH 16 10, ht. 181, spr. 64. Fisher Creek Trail, Huron Mt. Club, Marquette Co.
Comments: The height was greatly exaggerated.
Russ Forest Tuliptree #1. Dead. Listed as a national co-champion with a tuliptree in Amelia, Va. In 1967: CBH 19 3, ht. 176, spr. 112. The tree was blown down in May 1984 and the 16-foot butt log has been protected by a shelter. Russ Forest and Newton Woods County Park, Cass County, near Dowagiac.
ref.: Internet. TreeHunt: Yellow-Poplar
Comments: The spread is exceptional for a tuliptree, and suggests an open-grown tree. The 1967 height of 176 feet is considered to be greatly exaggerated, probably due to false-top triangulation. The actual height was probably fifty feet less. Inexplicably, measurements of this tree are now (2003) given as CBH 23.6, ht. 200, spr. 136, which interestingly, give a point total of 517.2, just surpassing Virginias Bedford Poplar, with 516.25.
Black Willow. The following entries are from American Forests, and are, presumably, the same tree.
National champion 1960-1966: CBH 26 1, ht. 85, spr. 79. Traverse City.
National champion 1973-1986: CBH 28 1, ht. 90, spr. 96. Traverse City.
National champion 1990: CBH 31 5, ht. 109, spr. 132. Grand Traverse Co.
National champion 1992-1994: CBH 31 7, ht. 114, spr. 136. Grand Traverse Co.
National champion 1995-2002: CBH 33 4, ht. 76, spr. 92. State Hospital (west side), Grand Traverse Co.
ref.: Davey/American Forests calendar, September 2003 (photo).
Comments: Although the photograph is inconclusive, it appears this tree may be a three-trunked coppice. The 2003 photograph may have been taken earlier; it shows no top breakage to account for the crown reduction in 1995.
MICHIGAN
STATE CHAMPIONS
White Ash. State champion 1995-1997: CBH 20 3, ht. 100, spr. 61. 11347 Hanel Road, south of Elk Rapids, Antrim County.
ref.: Internet.
1997 Michigan list.
American Basswood. State champion 1993-1997: CBH 22 11, ht. 57, spr. 68. South side of Michigan Route 36, southeast of Dansville, Ingham County.
ref.: Internet. 1997 Michigan list.
Black Cherry. State champion 1995-1997: CBH 16 3, ht. 74, spr. 90. 54622 Rudy Street, north of Dowagiac, Cass County.
ref.: Internet. 1997 Michigan list.
Northern Red Oak. State champion 1993-1997: CBH 23 0, HT. 100, SPR. 87. 329 St. Joseph, Saugatuck, Allegan Co.
ref.: Internet. 1997 Michigan list.
Scarlet Oak. State champion 1997: CBH 20 3, ht. 117, spr. 126. North Adams Road, east of Jonesville, Hilldale Co.
ref.: Internet. 1997 Michigan list.
Swamp White Oak. State champion 1988-1997: CBH 20 8, ht. 129, spr. 128. Rouge Branch (southwest of Palsar and Sheldon), Canton Township, Wayne County.
ref.: Internet. 1997 Michigan list.
White Oak. State champion 1993-1997: CBH 21 8, ht. 84, spr. 125, pts. 375.25. 1308 Ely Street, Allegan, Allegan County.
ref.: Internet. 1997 Michigan list.
Tuliptree. State champion 1989-1997: CBH 19 11, ht. 105, spr. 90, pts. 366.5. Tuliptree Trail, Lower Huron Metro Park, Wayne County.
ref.: 1997 Michigan list.
Tuliptree (Russ Forest Tuliptree #2). State champion 1996: CBH 14 9, ht. 171, spr. 133, pts. 381.25. Russ Forest County Park, Cass County, near Dowagiac. Tree located southeast of Dowagiac Creek.
ref.: Internet. TreeHunt: Yellow-Poplar
Comments: These measurements are extremely questionable. The height is exaggerated, perhaps due to false-top triangulation. No tuliptrees over 160 feet have been found outside the Southern Appalachians. The exceptional spread may be unequaled for a tuliptree, is incompatible with a tall forest-grown tree, and may be an aggregate, not average measurement.
Black Walnut. State champion 1997: CBH 22 2, ht. 121, spr. 119. 6565 W H Avenue, Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County.
ref.: Internet. 1997 Michigan list.
Comments: If this is a single-trunked tree, and the measurements are valid, this would be the largest black walnut remaining in the east.
Eastern Cottonwood. State champion list as (1998) CBH 28 8, ht. 124, spr. 106. Nicollet, Nicollet Co.
Silver Maple. State champion list as (1988) CBH 22 8, ht. 90, spr. 118. Spring Grove, Houston Co.
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Waverly Oaks, New York August 2005