Declared national champion in 2009. Recognized as national champion in 2019, but dethroned in 2020 by larger tree in Gloucester. The tree appeared very healthy and was in full bloom when measured in 2008.
2017 update: The tree is in very poor condition. The stems are heavily decayed near the base and the crown is about 60% dead. I don't believe the tree will be alive for many more years. Although this is clearly a single plant, it has three major stems that diverge at ground line. In the previous measurement in 2008, the trunk circumference was measured around two of the stems because they were still fused. In 2017, it was decided that only the single largest stem should be measured, which was measured 3 feet above ground, below the divergence of several branches.
Eric Wiseman Mar-17