Tree Information
Common Name: downy serviceberry
Scientific Name: Amelanchier arborea
Native/Naturalized: Native to Virginia
Database ID: 242
Status: dead
National Champion: no
Virginia Champion: no
Trunk Girth: 79 in.
Tree Height: 39 ft.
Crown Spread: 24 ft.
Points: 124
Date Last Measured: 2015
Last Measured by: Jon Matiuk, John Blankenship
Date First Measured: 1986
Comments:
2025 comments: Visit to the site by Eric Wiseman and Bella Hardaway in October 2025 found the tree fallen down and dead. State of decomposition suggested the tree had been down for three to five years. The previous GPS coordinates were approximate and have been updated.
2015 update: A lightning strike in the past decade has sent this tree into substantial decline. Mostly dead, trunk completely hollow. Still attempting to grow new sprouts and some limbs remain alive.
Some inconsistencies in information make it unclear whether this is the actual tree nominated by L. Hoge in 1986. Measurements then were 108", 60', 53', 181 points. A substantial drop in trunk circumference is not possible unless a leader is lost or there is an adjustment in measurement height. From photos, it appears that the tree lost a large leader. It may have been originally measured near ground line before leader was lost.
Location of Tree
Tree is located in: Tazewell
Land Owner: Private
GPS Coordinates: 37.121109, -81.292859
Directions: Burke's Garden in middle of pasture to south of the Brown-Hall Cemetery. Original map on file. Originally described as in the east end of Burke's Garden off Route 666, 1 mile west of intersection with Route 625. GPS coordinates denote location of the cemetery.
Owner Address: Private
Contact Information
Contact Name: John Blankenship
Contact Email: jblanken@vt.edu
Contact Address: P.O. Box 229
Tazewell, VA 24651
Contact Phone: 276-385-1812
Contact Info: John is VCE Unit Coordinator and excellent local guide.
Nominators
Original Nominator(s): Louise G. Hoge
Additional Information
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