Common Name: boxelder Circumference: 265
Species: Height: 33
Scientific Name: Acer negundo Crown: 34
Native/Naturalized: Native to Virginia Points: 307
Status: alive Last Measured: 2016
National Champion: yes Last Measured by: Greg Zell
Comments: Declared national champion in 2014 and recognized as national co-champion in 2019 with another tree in Maryland. This is an amazing tree. It is a classic old age tree in decline, but stubbornly hanging on to life. It is mostly hollow with new adventitious growth coming up in the middle and along remaining central leaders. It has lost some height and crown spread in recent years due to wind damage. This tree may die next year, or live on for another twenty.

It is growing in the center of a courtyard garden of an historic Inn. A tree worth visiting. The new Innkeepers seem proud to have it on their property. Details from Essex Inn website: https://www.essexinnva.com/about-us. The Essex Inn was built in 1851 by Dr. Lawrence Roane and is an imposing Greek-Revival style structure of white stucco over brick atop a high English basement. The home has a rich history. It is rumored that during the Civil War, when Union forces were firing on Tappahannock from the Rappahannock River, a young man climbed one of the chimneys and fastened a white bedsheet to signal neutrality, saving the home from the bombardment.

Greatest documented size: measured at 257"" circumference, 42' height, 50' crown, and 307 points in 2006 when measured by Greg Zell.


More Photos

Greg Zell Aug-16
Location of Tree
Tree is located in: Essex Land Owner: Essex Inn LLC
GPS Coordinates: 37.92823, -76.85858 Owner Email: info@essexinnva.com
Directions:
203 Duke Street, PO Box 2038 Tappahannock, Virginia 22560. Located on the grounds of the Essex Inn, which is just a few blocks from the Rappahannock River and US Route 360 crossing the river.

Owner Address:
203 Duke Street, PO Box 2038
Tappahannock, VA 22560

 Owner Phone: 804-443-9900
Contact Information
Contact Name: Eric Wiseman Permission to Advertise: Yes
Contact Email: pwiseman@vt.edu Contact Address:
Contact Phone: 540-231-5148
 
Contact Info: Owner is Greg Huff. Additional contact: Warren Coburn, warren.coburn@dof.virginia.gov, Department of Forestry, PO Box 759, Tappahannock, VA 22560.
Nominators
Original Nominator(s): Warren Coburn
Other Nominators: