Tree Information
Common Name: northern white-cedar
Scientific Name: Thuja occidentalis
Native/Naturalized: Native to Virginia
Database ID: 53
Status: alive
National Champion: yes
Virginia Champion: yes
Circumference: 182 in.
Height: 120 ft.
Crown: 38 ft.
Points: 312
Date Last Measured: 2015
Last Measured by: Greg Zell
Date First Measured: 1974
Comments: One of the longest-tenured trees in the Va. Big Tree Register. Recognized as national champion in 2019. A higher-scoring tree resides in Alleghany County, but its measurements have not been acceptable for national champion consideration due to the trunk form.
Property was previously occupied by Mrs. Shirley Hancock and family. When re-measured in 2015, the house had been abandoned for some years and was falling apart. The former yard area surrounding the tree is overgrown and returning to forest. The tree itself is quite impressive. It has lost some lateral limbs in excess of 30' long, but appears to be a natural pruning process for older-age trees. Forester Billy Newman remeasured the tree in 1986.
Location of Tree
Tree is located in: Nelson
Land Owner: Private
GPS Coordinates: 37.71115, -78.927922
Directions: Private. GPS shown here is approximate to the general area.
Contact Information
Contact Name: Greg Zell
Contact Email: gregory.zell@verizon.net
Nominators
Original Nominator(s): John A. Carter, Arthur W. Ordel, and George W. Walker
Other Nominators: All three were foresters for Hardwood Lumber Corp. of VA
Additional Information
Our Partners
