ENTS,
bur oaks as well as white oaks and swamp white oaks are of particular interest
to me. I've been collecting seed from these three species from across the
country since 2002. I've been focusing on state champs, but not exclusively.
At the end of this year or perhaps early next year I was planning to present a
report on the largest specimens that I've encountered in my travels. I hope to
include the largest based on AF points, girth, height and spread (average,
maximum and longest limb). I have made few measurements so far, but I have
visited many of the largest state champs and I have some idea of which ones
I'll need to measure. Here is some of the info that I have regarding these
species...any updates would be much appreciated.
Bur Oaks
points
430 Indiana
414 Kentucky
410 Missouri
409 Ohio
408 Kentucky
408 New York
408 West Virginia
407 Michigan
Yes, Indiana has the largest AF points Bur Oak not Kentucky or Missouri. The
current Kentucky champ is not the same as the old national champion in Paris,
KY because the old champ lost much of its' leader. It went from 444 points
down to 408 points. I still think it may be the largest in terms of volume
though. I have visited all of the above trees except the 414 Kentucky tree and
I really do think that the Indiana tree is the largest in terms of AF points.
Unfortunately, three very impressive bur oaks have been lost. Illinois once
had one that had 416 points, Arkansas had one to 404 points and Indiana had one
that was probably larger than all of them according to Guy Sternberg (this one
was never measured for champion tree status). Ofcourse all of these
measurements may be relatively poor by ENTS standards and they really need to
accurately measured.
Bur Oak
girth
322 Kentucky (old champ)
293 Indiana
288 Michigan
287 Missouri
287 Kentucky (new champ)
These are in inches ofcourse. The tree in New York is probably over 300 inches
but I only have the point total for this tree.
Bur Oak
height
132.7 Missouri
136 Michigan
The Missouri tree was measured by Bob Leverett so I don't feel the need to
remeasure this tree. It is not the same tree as the Missouri AF point champ.
The Michigan tree is also not the state point champ, but I doubt that the
figure is anywhere near the true height. I'll try to find it anyway.
Bur Oak
spread
141 Pennsylvania
152 Michigan
142 Michigan
The Pennsylvania tree was measured by Scott Wade. This info is from Jess's max
list...as was the Missouri height champ. The two Michigan trees are likely too
high but I'll try and verify this.
White Oak
points
427 Virginia
410 Ohio
408 New Jersey
I visited the trees in Ohio and New Jersey. Impressive trees. The amazing Wye
Oak of Maryland was lost in 2002...the very year I was going out to collect
acorns from it. Bummer! I have it down for 508 points. I also had some notes
on a 427 point tree from North Carolina, but it is no longer listed. I don't
know what happened to it.
White Oak
girth
312 Virginia
288 Ohio
283 Indiana
279 New Jersey
I also visited the Indiana tree.
White Oak
height
147.1 North Carolina
>From Jess's max list and measured by Will Blozan. Obviously no need to
>remeasure. Kentucky lists a 147 foot tree but it probably wasn't measured
>correctly and it is no taller than the tree in North Carolina anyway.
White Oak
spread
145 Tennessee
135 Pennsylvania
131.5 North Carolina
The North Carolina tree was measured by Jess Riddle and this is from his list.
The Tennessee tree is on the ENTS site with the photo taken by Carl Absher. I
don't know if Carl measured the tree or not. The Pennsylvania tree is the only
one that I've visited.
Swamp White Oak
points
389 New Jersey
381 Iowa
379 Maryland
378 Virginia
I've visited the Maryland and Virginia tree. The Virginia tree has seen better
days and it seems that it is not long for this world. I'm not convinced that
the Maryland tree is a swamp white oak...I think it is a swamp chestnut oak.
The current Michigan champ is listed at 397 points, but I don't think the
figures are even close. I've tried three times to find this tree and failed
miserably.
Swamp White Oak
girth
300 Virginia
280 Ohio
I've seen both of these trees. I'm sure the one in Virginia is fatter.
Swamp White Oak
height
155 Indiana
Yes, this measurement is way off but I'm quite certain that it is taller than
any that ENTS have measured (between 119 and 120 feet so far).
Swamp White Oak
spread
122 South Carolina
118 Pennsylvania
I've visited the Pennsylvania tree. I've only seen pictures of the South
Carolina tree online and I really wonder if it isn't actually a swamp chestnut
oak. Michigan has three trees listed with greater spreads but I doubt all of
them. I've actually visited one of them and it was no more than 90 feet, not
the listed 124 feet.
Well this is the info I have so far. If anyone can make additions or
corrections I'd really appreciate it. I'll be collected like a madman from
September to November. Not too long now!
Doug
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