CARROLL COUNTY — Maryland Big Tree Program volunteers working with the
Carroll County Forestry Board recently discovered a giant sycamore qualifies as
the new co-champion “Maryland’s Biggest Tree,” as well as the new State Champion
sycamore. The sycamore is located near Little Pipe Creek on the Smith family
dairy farm in New Windsor.The landowner is not taking any credit for the
natural wonder. “What can I say? It’s a big tree,” said John Elmer Smith. “The
good Lord planted the seed… I had nothing to do with it.”
The prized sycamore, Platanus occidentalis, stands a statuesque 121 feet
tall and boasts a trunk circumference of 27 feet at 4 ½ feet above the ground.
The previous “Maryland Biggest Tree” and current co-champion is a silver maple
located in Cecil County and like the sycamore, earned 464 points.
“I was thrilled to have the opportunity to see and measure this excellent
example of a species very familiar many Maryland residents, “said John Bennett,
Maryland Big Tree Program Volunteer Manager.
Official “Big Tree” designations are based on a point system. To nominate a tree
for Big Tree status, three measurements are needed: the trunk circumference at 4
½ feet above the ground (in inches); the vertical tree height (to the nearest
foot); and the average crown spread (to the nearest foot). The trunk
circumference, height and ¼ average crown spread is added to calculate the total
points. Members of the Maryland Big Tree Program must visit the site and verify
the three measurements.
For more information, email John Bennett at:
Mdbigtreeprogram@aol.com.
October 22, 2007
Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov