2022 update: Tree has suffered the loss of a major codominant leader that emanated from near the trunk base in the past decade. Interior wood has decayed considerably and this injury will probably lead to structural failure of the tree in the next decade. Condition of canopy difficult to discern due to density of understory vegetation, but no obvious indications of dieback or decline. Peak of crown was difficult to see due to dense vegetation, so laser measurement was validated with 2017 LiDAR.
2021 update: Crowned state champ in 2012 and national champ in 2017. Dethroned as state and national champion in 2021 because it was outscored by a tree in Russell County, Virginia.
2012 update: Another large bitternut hickory (ID#2031) is about 0.5 mile west along the riverbank. Measured by Byron Carmean, Gary Williamson, Joe Whitby. 176", 130', 103' respectively. 332 points.
Byron Carmean 2012 (top) G. Williamson 2022 (rest)