Poncirus trifoliata, Hardy Orange Calvary Episcopal Church, Stonington Location: In back, near the church in the courtyard Height: 17 Feet Circumference: 48 inches I don’t go to church and I will never go to church, other than for weddings and funerals for people who have such things in churches. I am … [Read more...]
HAS: Greenstone Hollow Nature Preserve
What Did YOU Do on 11-12-13? Greenstone Hollow, East Granby November 12, 2013 I admit, I went to this little property up route 187 thinking it would be a “nothing” little walk. Of course, there’s not many miles of trail here and literally zero feet of elevation gain. I just wanted to finally get an … [Read more...]
(Former) National Champion: Texas Redbud
Cercis canadensis var. texensis, Texas Redbud Loomis-Chaffee School, Windsor I love this page and I love you for coming here to read it. Unfortunately, Loomis-Chaffee dug up this tree and trashed it in 2018. This National Champion tree. Shame on your Loomis. Shame. I wrote the following in 2013, before Loomis … [Read more...]
Rockfall Foundation & Col. C.S. Wadsworth Living Museum
The Rockfall Files Middletown (Google Maps location) May 2011 Connecticut museum visit #204. Perhaps you're not old enough to remember the show that my title alludes to, but if not I have a slightly newer pop culture reference for a secondary title: "Trees Glorious Trees!" Remember those "Cheese, … [Read more...]
118-(and counting)-Year-Old Lemon Tree
A Real Lemon Party Logee's Greenhouse, Danielson June 3, 2011 I feel badly for people who live in Danielson. Ever since The Karate Kid, everyone must say the name of the town like "Daniel-san!" And that must be annoying. Almost as annoying as the fact that Danielson isn't even a real town but is instead the … [Read more...]
The Washington Oak (RIP)
Washington Schlepped Here The Washington Oak, New Milford November 12, 2011 When I write my book, how am I going to incorporate all my brilliant title puns? I lose sleep over this question. During a car transfer in the middle of a day-long Appalachian Trail hike, I made it a point to seek out the … [Read more...]
(Former) National Champion: Downy Serviceberry
Amelanchier arborea, Downy Serviceberry Private Property, Glastonbury Location: In a nice big yard on a corner lot out near the road, so it’s not too creepy to check out Height: 34 Feet Circumference: 134 inches National Champion from January 2010 to January 2020 On a chilly mid-November Friday evening … [Read more...]
National Champion Black Oak
Quercus velutina, Black Oak Private Property, East Granby Location: It's not in a yard or anything, so if you really want to know... Height: 79 Feet Circumference: 344 inches I know there are many kinds of oaks in the world, but I find it rather remarkable that we have two national champion oaks … [Read more...]
(Former) National Champion: Paper Birch
4. Betula papyrifera, Paper Birch Institute of Living, Hartford Location: Gone Height: 72 Feet Circumference: 169 inches 2012 Update: As anyone in northern CT knows, we had a devastating snowstorm on Halloween weekend in 2011. With the leaves still on the trees, and the snow being the heavy/wet variety, tens of … [Read more...]
Bear Oak, Windsor
Quercus ilicifolia, Bear Oak Northwest Park, Windsor Location: North side of driveway in front of the private park manager’s white house. Height: 32 Feet Circumference: 62 inches I love this page and I love you for coming here to read it. Unfortunately, this tree is no longer a national champion in 2018. … [Read more...]