Tree Information
Common Name: northern white-cedar
Scientific Name: Thuja occidentalis
Native/Naturalized: Native to Virginia
Database ID: 53
Status: alive
National Champion: yes
Virginia Champion: yes
Circumference: 182 in.
Height: 120 ft.
Crown: 38 ft.
Points: 312
Date Last Measured: 2015
Last Measured by: Greg Zell
Date First Measured: 1974
Comments: One of the longest-tenured trees in the Va. Big Tree Register. Recognized as national champion in 2019. A higher-scoring tree resides in Alleghany County, but its measurements have not been acceptable for national champion consideration due to the trunk form.
Property was previously occupied by Mrs. Shirley Hancock and family. When re-measured in 2015, the house had been abandoned for some years and was falling apart. The former yard area surrounding the tree is overgrown and returning to forest. The tree itself is quite impressive. It has lost some lateral limbs in excess of 30' long, but appears to be a natural pruning process for older-age trees. Former owner passed away and unable to locate relatives who own the land.
Location of Tree
Tree is located in: Nelson
Land Owner: Little Mountain LLC
GPS Coordinates: 37.74529, -79.04536
Directions: From Lowesville, follow Rt. 778 to left on Rt. 676 and then turn left on Rt. 677. Rt. 677 (Harewood Lane) will end at an unimproved private dirt driveway. Follow the drive way .044 miles to a farm house. The final 0.25 miles must be walked by following an overgrown woodland road to an abandoned home site. Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended on the driveway.
Owner Address: 2717 Tye Brook Hwy
Piney River, VA 22964
Contact Information
Contact Name: Greg Zell
Contact Email: gregory.zell@verizon.net
Contact Info: Billy Newman remeasured the tree in 1986. He is a former VDOF Forester who now owns a consultancy in Nelson County called EnviroFor, LLC. 434.263.4772, enviroforllc@netscape.net
Nominators
Original Nominator(s): John A. Carter, Arthur W. Ordel, and George W. Walker
Other Nominators: All three were foresters for Hardwood Lumber Corp. of VA
Additional Information
Our Partners
