Tree Information
Common Name: mountain laurel
Scientific Name: Kalmia latifolia
Native/Naturalized: Native to Virginia
Database ID: 3079
Status: alive
National Champion: yes
Virginia Champion: yes
Circumference: 37 in.
Height: 22 ft.
Crown: 40 ft.
Points: 69
Date Last Measured: 2023
Last Measured by: Byron Carmean, Dylan Kania, Gary Williamson
Date First Measured: 2023
Comments:
2024 update: Recognized as national champion for first time.
This mountain laurel is a remarkable size for its species and is most likely very old. It appears quite healthy, but does have some dead wood on the lower branches. Its trunk splits into 3 stems at ground line, but appears to be a single tree. Three stems: Stem 1: 20" measured @ 4.5'. Stem 2: 37" measured @ 4'. Stem 3: 36" measured @ 1'. For scoring, the largest of these stems was used. All stems included in crown spread.

Location of Tree
Tree is located in: City of Newport News
Land Owner: The Mariners' Museum and Park
GPS Coordinates: 37.042236, -76.484342
Directions: Take Museum Dr/Shore Dr in Newport News to the Noland Trail Parking (near the dam and James River). Take the trail on the east side of Mariners' Lake around the first cove. The tree is on the north side of the peninsula.
Owner Address: 100 Museum Drive
Newport News, VA 23606
Owner Phone: 757-596-2222
Contact Information
Contact Name: Byron Carmean
Contact Email: rockplantrn@gmail.com
Contact Phone: 757-934-0588
Contact Info: Erica Deale, edeale@marinersmuseum.org
Nominators
Original Nominator(s): Byron Carmean, Dylan Kania, Gary Williamson