Knox County Bicentennial

Heritage Tree Project

In March of 2007, the Knox County Park District initiated a year-long project to collect information concerning the oldest and largest trees in Knox County, as part of the 2008 Knox County Bicentennial.  The trees are referred to as “heritage” trees, because these specimens have witnessed events important to the history, and culture of our county.  The park district relied on citizens and owners to nominate trees, and nearly fifty trees were evaluated.  Also collected were residents’ stories about their relationship or experience with a special tree. 

The list of heritage trees is arranged by the circumference in feet and inches, with the largest circumference listed first.   Generally, the largest of the oaks are expected to be the oldest of the heritage trees.  The four largest trees listed are declared to be the Knox County Heritage Bicentennial Trees.     Each and every one of the trees nominated are permanently recorded and will remain a part of this Bicentennial Project.  Copies of the records will be archived at the Knox County Historical Society and in each of the local libraries.

The selection of the four heritage trees was made by the Knox County Park District.  It is very likely that other trees whose circumference is greater than those listed occur in Knox County.   This Heritage Tree Project is intended as a starting point from which future generations can see the condition and change in size of the trees recorded during this project.  Perhaps some future centennial celebration committee will use these records to find out where the oldest living member of Knox County continues to exist.

All four of the Heritage Bicentennial trees were alive and growing well before the settlement of Knox County.  These trees existed well before the Native Americans moved from this area.  These giants stood when the King of England owned the area and since, have passed thru the possession of the United States Government to the numerous recorded owners of the land upon which they grow.

The park district would be remiss without mentioning the two gentlemen who volunteered their time and expertise to collect the tree measurements: Harold Bower, forester, and Howard Gratz, naturalist, both of which retired after distinguished professional careers with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Doug McLarnan, KCPD operations manager, coordinated the project.  We also thank those who nominated trees, and owners who allowed us to visit these living legacies.

1. Swamp White Oak, 21 feet, 5 inches. 72 feet tall, 100 foot crown          spread.  Owned by John and Deborah Jackson in Milford Township.

2. Silver Maple, 20 feet 7 inches, 96 feet tall, 64 foot crown spread.          Owned by John and Walter Sperry of Clinton Township.

3. Burr Oak, 18 feet 8 inches, 64 feet tall and 137 foot crown   spread.           Owned by Eddie and Rose Earnest of Morgan Township.

4. White Oak, 18 feet 5 inches, 80 feet tall, 112 foot crown spread.           Owned by Denny Campbell Jefferson Township.

Knox County Bicentennial Heritage Trees

Other Notable Bicentennial Trees

 

1. White Oak, 17 feet 5½ inches, 118 feet tall and 112½ feet crown spread.  Owned by Bill Edwards Clinton Township.

2. Sycamore, 17 feet 2 inches, 85 feet tall.  Owned by Lisa Wyne of Fredericktown.

3. Swamp White Oak, 17 feet and 6 inches, 80 feet tall.  90 foot crown spread.   Owned by Dalton Majors of Miller Township.

4. White Ash, 16 feet 8 inches and 100 feet tall.  Owned by Don Rine of Liberty Township.

5. White Oak, 16 feet 7 inches, 96 feet tall and 107 foot crown spread.  Owned by Heather Doherty of Monroe Township.

6. White Oak, 16 feet 6 inches and 112 foot tall, with a crown spread of 93 feet.  Owned by Irene Williams of Mount Vernon.

7. Red Oak, 16 feet 5½ inches, and 89 feet tall with a crown spread of 96 feet.  Owned by Harold and Sylvia Bower of Morris          Township.

8. White Oak, 16 feet 5 inches and 96 feet tall with a crown spread of 104 feet.  Owned by Virginia Dusten of Morris Township.

9. Sugar Maple, 16 feet 5 inches and 80 feet tall with a crown spread of 88 feet.  Owned by Lawrence Laymon of Morris Township.

10. White Oak , 16 feet 1 inches , and 130 foot tall with a crown spread of 100 .5 feet .   Owned by Fred and Pam Hatfield of Berlin          Township.

11. Silver Maple, 15 feet 7 inches and 96½ feet tall with a crown spread of 70 feet 6 inches.  Owned by Lawrence Dailey of Clinton          Township.

12. Box Elder, 15 feet 5 inches and 48 feet tall with a crown spread of 59 feet.  Owned by Norman and Freda Chaney of Clinton          Township.

13. Ginkgo, 15 feet 2 inches and 64 feet tall with a crown spread of 70 feet 6 inches.  Located in Mound View Cemetery near the Cooper          plot.

14. Swamp White Oak, 14 feet 11 inches and 90 feet tall with a crown spread of 124 feet.  Owned by Robert Rauzie of Mount Vernon.

15. Silver Maple, 14 feet 10 inches and 64 feet tall with a crown spread of 133 feet.  Owned by Doug Bittle of Clinton Township.

16. Silver Maple, 14 feet 9 inches and 80 feet tall with a crown spread of 89 feet.  Owned by Marvin Moore of Milford Township.

17. White Oak, 14 feet 7 inches and 80 foot tall with a crown spread of 107.6 feet. Located in Mound View Cemetery near Cooper Plot.

18. White Oak, 14 feet 2 inches and 80 feet tall with a crown spread of 102 feet.   Owned by Harold Bechtol of Pike Township.

19. Black Walnut, 14 feet 2 inches and 80 feet tall with a crown spread of 102 feet.   Owned by Tom Ostrander of Mount   Vernon.

20. White Oak, 14 feet and ½ inches and 64 feet tall with a crown spread of 94 feet.  Owned by Anne Robinson of College          Township.

21. Sycamore, 13 feet 10 inches and 120 feet tall, with a crown spread of 106 feet.  Owned by Alan Cassell of Morris Township.

22. Bald Cypress, 13 feet 9 inches and 88 feet tall with a crown spread of 61 feet.  Ownership unknown, located near 7 Mansfield Ave.          Mount Vernon.

23. White Oak, 13 feet 8 and ½ inches, 96 feet tall with a crown spread of 115 feet.  Owned by Debbie Stone of Hamtrack Street in Mount          Vernon.

24. White Oak, 13 feet 8 inches and 64 feet tall with a crown spread of 110 feet.  Owned by David Levering of Morris Township.

25. Norway spruce, 13 feet 8 inches and 88 feet tall with a crown spread of 65 feet and 6 inches.  Owned by Randy and Diane          Scarbrough of Milford Township.

26. Burr Oak, 13 feet 7 inches and 112 feet tall with a crown spread of 126 feet.  Owned by John Sperry of Miller Township.

27. Linden (little leaf), 13 feet 7 inches and 64 feet tall with a crown spread of 67 feet.  Owned by Kathy Gamble of Pleasant          Township.

28. Osage Orange, 13 feet 4 inches and 56 feet tall with a crown spread of 61 feet 6 inches.  Located on North Mulberry Street.

29. Butternut, 12 feet 4 inches and 90 feet tall with a crown spread of 120 feet.  Owned by Charles Steinman of Brown Township.

30. Butternut, 12 feet 3 inches and 64 feet tall with a crown spread of 70 feet 7 inches.  Owned by Mike Farmer of Mount Vernon.

31. White Oak 12 feet and 96 feet tall with a crown spread of 106 feet.  Owned by Kathy Wereley, Mount Vernon.

32. White Oak, 11 feet 10 inches and 128 feet tall with a crown spread of 101 feet.  Owned by Chuck and Jo Rice of Pleasant          Township.

33. Swamp White Oak, 11 feet 6 inches tall with a crown spread of 109 feet.  Owned by Chuck and Joe Rice of Pleasant Township.

34. Black Cherry, 11 feet 4 inches and 128 feet tall with a crown spread of 75.5 feet.   Owned by Fred Mankins and located in          Jefferson Township.

35. White Oak, 11 feet and 72 feet tall with a crown spread of 98 feet and 7 inches. Owned by Ann Deister of Morgan Township.

36. White Oak, 11 feet and 73 feet tall with a crown spread of 58 feet.  Owned by Bill Lawhorn of Pleasant Township.

37. Hackberry, 10 feet 10 inches and 80 feet tall with a crown spread of 68 feet.  Owned by Alan Cassell of Morris Township.

38. Cottonwood, 10 feet 7 inches and 96 feet tall with a crown spread of 80 feet 6 inches.  Owned by Alan Cassell of Morris          Township.

39. European Horse Chestnut, 10 feet 6 inches and 80 feet tall with a crown spread of 48 feet and 6 inches.  Owned by City of Mount          Vernon, located on west side of Mound View Cemetery.

40. Sassafras, 10 feet 5 inches and 56 feet tall with a crown spread of 46 feet 3 inches.  Owned by Jane Kuhlman of Clinton          Township.

41. Eastern Hemlock, 9 feet 9 inches, unknown height and with a crown spread of 38 feet.  Owned by the Knox County Park District and          located at the Honey Run Waterfall in Butler Township.

42. White Elm, 9 feet 6 inches and 116 feet tall with a crown spread of 79 feet.  Owned by Emerson and Edie Laird of Mount Vernon.

43. Ginkgo, 9 feet 5 inches and 56 feet tall with a crown spread of 66 feet.  Owned by the City of Mount Vernon and located on the Public          Square.

44. Ohio Buckeye, 8 feet 6 inches and 56 feet tall with a crown spread of 44 feet.  Owned by the City of Mount Vernon and located on the          Public Square.

45. Japanese Red Maple, 6 feet 8 ¼ inches, 48 feet tall with a crown spread of 47 feet.  Owned by Duane Johnson of Mount Vernon.

Knox County Heritage Tree—Swamp White Oak

Knox County Heritage Tree Ceremony Photos