2021 update: Tree suffered a catastrophic failure of the trunk on the evening of 6/13/2021 during a severe thunderstorm. The entire crown sheared out of the tree. Discoloration of the wood was evident at the site of failure, suggesting that the strength of the trunk had been compromised by decay. Former state and national champion.
2018 update: Declared national champion in 2018. The tree looks healthy. It has a sidewalk close to its trunk, and high traffic on the lawn below it has worn a patch to compacted soil. Tree has had several lower limbs removed in years past, but all cuts seem to be healing. ID confirmed as white basswood by Tom Wieboldt in the Virginia Tech Herbarium. Good health in 2018, but structural stability questionable. Three support cables have been installed in the upper crown (date unknown).
Top. J. Alan Simpson. June 2018. Bottom. S. Huckestein. June 2021.