Tree Information
Common Name: honeylocust
Scientific Name: Gleditsia triacanthos
Native/Naturalized: Native to Virginia
Database ID: 131
Status: alive
National Champion: yes
Virginia Champion: yes
Circumference: 247 in.
Height: 103 ft.
Crown: 112 ft.
Points: 378
Date Last Measured: 2019
Last Measured by: Jason Sprouls, Sarah Gugercin
Date First Measured: 1990
Comments: Reclaimed national champion status in 2019 after being previously listed in 2010. One of two large honeylocust trees located in Godwin Cemetery of Fincastle United Methodist Church. From Historic Fincastle Tour Guide: "Earliest graves date from the mid 1800s and are located along Church Street, on land purchased by James Godwin in 1801 for a family graveyard. A portion of his property was deeded to John Slicer in 1891 for his family burials. At the top of the hill was land owned by A.E.G. Aurick, which passed to the Bolton family. By 1898, the Godwin Cemetery Trustees acquired the properties." An article was written about the tree in the Roanoke Times in 2010. June 2020 article about the tree also ran in the Botetourt Bee.
2019 Update:
The tree is healthy and has continued to grow since last measured in 2010. The tree has suffered some damage to the main leader, however, a healthy amount of wound wood has formed. There was some poison-ivy in the tree. The score dropped a bit when height was measured using a laser hypsometer.
More Photos

Location of Tree
Tree is located in: Botetourt
Land Owner: Godwin Cemetery Association
GPS Coordinates: 37.49678, -79.87565
Directions: Fincastle United Methodist Church 137 S Church St Fincastle, VA 24090
Owner Address: 137 S Church St
Fincastle, VA 24090
Owner Phone: 540-473-2313
Contact Information
Contact Name: Cathy Benson
Contact Email: catbel8@aol.com
Contact Phone: 540-473-2762
Contact Info: Patricia Coon Ellis is president of cemetery association. Was measured in 2002 at 354 points and 2010 at 384 points.
Nominators
Original Nominator(s): William S. Hubard