Kentucky's champion white oak compared to past and present national champions
The current champion white oak for the state of Kentucky grows in Logan County, a couple counties east of where I live. It is 270 inches in circumference (about 22.5 feet.) It's height is 94 feet and the spread of its crown is 104 feet. With 390 points, it ranks as one of the biggest trees in my state -- a "monster" of a white oak in our day!
I'm a bit disappointed that no photograph of this champion white oak is available on the Kentucky's Big Tree Program website.
The Wye Oak of Maryland was the champion white oak of the nation for many years. A windstorm took it down in 2002. Its circumference was well over 31 feet. It was 96 feet in height and the spread of its crown was 115 feet. It was awarded an amazing 508 points for its overall size. At the time of its demise, it was estimated to be over 450 years old.The photograph of the Wye Oak at right was taken by E.H. Pickering, in December of 1936. The image is part of the Historic American Buildings Survey on the Library of Congress website.
The current champion white oak for the nation grows in the Lawrenceville, Virginia, area. It has been awarded 427 points. It is 86 feet tall and 32 feet in diameter. If there's a photograph of it on the internet, I haven't found it yet.
Related:
The Wye Oak Gallery
"The power to recognize trees at a glance without examining their leaves or flowers or fruit as they are seen, for example, from the car-window during a railroad journey, can only be acquired by studying them as they grow under all possible conditions over wide areas of territory. Such an attainment may not have much practical value, but once acquired it gives to the possessor a good deal of pleasure which is denied to less fortunate travelers."
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