Tree Notes: A few champion Eastern redcedar trees

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

A few champion Eastern redcedar trees

Some of the nations largest red cedars (Juniperus virginiana)

I posted earlier today about a very large Eastern redcedar tree that I saw at the Fort Donelson National Cemetery in Dover, TN. I estimated its circumference to be over 120 inches.

This made me curious about how the Fort Donelson red cedar compares with champions of the species. Here are some of the statistics for large Eastern redcedars that I found on the internet. As you can see, the Fort Donelson tree has a seriously big trunk, but it's not a contender for national champion.

Bon Homme County, South Dakota:
Circumference: 80 inches
Height: 69 feet
Crown spread: 30 feet
Bigness index: 157

Peru, Nebraska
Circumference: 9.08 feet (about 109 inches)
Height: 71 feet
Crown spread: 34 feet
Bigness index: 189

Lawrence County, Indiana
Circumference at 4 ½ Feet: 120 inches
Height: 86 feet
Crown spread: 31.5 feet
Bigness index: 207

Monroe County, Arkansas
Circumference: 131 inches
Height: 60 feet
Crown spread: 45 feet
Bigness index: 202

Wilson County, Kansas
Circumference: 134 inches
Height: 57 feet
Crown spread: 40 feet
Bigness index: 201

Clermont County, Ohio
Circumference: 153 inches
Height: 66 feet
Crown spread: 29 feet
Bigness index: 226

Wilcox County, Alabama
Circumference: 168.6 inches
Height: 62 feet
Crown spread: 40 feet
Bigness index: 240.6

St. Augustine County, Texas
Circumference: 187 inches
Height: 78 feet
Crown spread: 47 feet
Bigness index: ?

Image of redcedar trunk: "The heart within" by Flickr user meonomous
Creative Commons License 2.0

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Enrich your life with the study of trees.

Print references I frequently consult

Benvie, Sam. Encyclopedia of North American Trees. Buffalo, NY: Firefly, 2000.

Brockman, C. Frank. Trees of North America: A Guide to Field Identification. Ed. Herbert S. Zim. New York: Golden, 1986.

Cliburn, Jerry, and Ginny Clomps. A Key to Missouri Trees in Winter: An Identification Guide. Conservation Commission of the State of Missouri, 1980.

Collingwood, G. H., Warren David Brush, and Devereux Butcher. Knowing Your Trees. Washington: American Forestry Association, 1978.

Dirr, Michael. Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs: an Illustrated Encyclopedia. Portland, Or.: Timber, 1997.

Elias, Thomas S. The Complete Trees of North America; Field Guide and Natural History. New York: Book Division, Times Mirror Magazines, 1980.

Grimm, William Carey. The Book of Trees;. Harrisburg, PA: Stackpole, 1962.

Hightshoe, Gary L. Native Trees, Shrubs, and Vines for Urban and Rural America: a Planting Design Manual for Environmental Designers. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1988.

Little, Elbert L. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees. New York: Chanticleer, 1996.

Martin, Alexander C., Herbert S. Zim, and Arnold L. Nelson. American Wildlife and Plants. New York: McGraw Hill, 1951.

Mitchell, Alan F., and David More. The Trees of North America. New York, NY: Facts On File Publications, 1987.

Randall, Charles E. Enjoying Our Trees. Washington: American Forestry Association, 1969.

Settergren, Carl D., and R. E. McDermott. Trees of Missouri. Columbia: University Extension, 1995.

Sternberg, Guy, and James W. Wilson. Native Trees for North American Landscapes: from the Atlantic to the Rockies. Portland: Timber, 2004.

Wharton, Mary E., and Roger W. Barbour. Trees and Shrubs of Kentucky. Lexington: University of Kentucky, 1973.

Wyman, Donald. Trees for American Gardens. New York: Macmillan, 1965.

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