Wildman, Edward E, 1933, Penn’s Woods 1682-1932.

Wye Oak Statistics and History

With the designation of “Flora’s Oak”, a large white oak in Montgomery County, as “Maryland’s State Tree”, there has been interest generated in the comparison with the Wye Oak, which was blown down in a storm in June, 2002.

While there is no discrepancy about the historical and emotional record, there is considerable question about the growth and measurement statistics over the years.

This is what we have been able to recover from the various public documents. We would appreciate additional references and information to clarify certain discrepancies.

We have a reference to the first “public notice” of the Wye Oak in 1909. We have no other information from that period.

We know that in 1925 Fred Besley, Maryland’s first State Forester, developed the basis of the measurement system we use today. He did so in response to the first Big Tree Contest in Maryland. We do not have records of those trees that were entered. We do know, however, that 450 trees were nominated, and 155 species of trees were identified with champions. We presume the Wye Oak was listed as the State Champion white oak.

Again, in 1937, a similar search was undertaken. In this case, this was apparently not a contest as such, but a collection of nominations to determine the champion tree of each species. In this case, 156 species were identified and champions established. We do not have this list either.

In 1939, the State of Maryland acquired an acre of the property on which the Wye Oak stood and organized it as a State Park. In 1941 the white oak was designated as “Maryland’s State Tree.”

In 1940, the American Forestry Association inaugurated the Big Tree Contest nationwide. We know the Wye Oak was declared the National Champion White Oak, but we do not have the measurements or the list from 1940.

The first set of measurements we have for the Wye Oak is from the 1956 “Big Tree Champions of Maryland” publication, by Mr. Besley. At that time, the Wye Oak had a circumference of 27’ 8” (332”), a height of 95’ and an average crown spread of 165’ for a total point value of 468.0. This would put it at about the same size as the Eder Park Silver Maple and the Little Pipe Creek Sycamore; both trees are considered in 2007 as “Maryland’s Biggest Trees”.

In the subsequent years, the Wye Oak put on an impressive growth spurt for such an old tree. The next recorded measurement we have is for 1973, in “The Big Tree Champions of Maryland 1973” booklet, by Earl L. Yingling, State Roadside Tree Supervisor. In that booklet, the Wye Oak has a circumference of 32’ 2” (386”), a height of 108’ and an average crown spread of 160’, for a total point value of 534.0. This was a gain of 66 points over a span of 17 years. This was also the high point of the Wye Oak’s size.

In 1990, “The Big Tree Champions of Maryland 1990” was published. The Wye Oak’s measurements were: 31’ 2” (374”) circumference, 79’ height, 102’ average crown spread; total points 478.5. We have been told that a huge limb broke off sometime between 1973 and 1990, but do not know the date. That loss would account for the loss of height and crown spread, but does not explain the loss of circumference. One has to assume there was a measurement error, probably in 1973.

The last measurement we have is for 2000. At that time, the Wye Oak had continued to grow fairly well despite its poor state of health. The circumference was recorded at 31’ 10” (382”), height at 96’, and average crown spread of 119’, for a total point value of 507.75. However, the same listing gives the total points at 500.75, so it is not clear if there is a measurement or calculation error.

“Flora’s Oak” has a circumference of 22’ 4” (268”), a height of 107’, and a average crown spread of 115’; for a total point value of 404.0. It is obviously not yet in the Wye Oak’s class, but may be comparable to the size of the Wye Oak in the early part of the last century. Time will tell if it can sustain the same growth potential that it has shown since its last measurement in 2003, when it gained 21 points in four years.

Please send any additional information on the Wye Oak to John Bennett, Manager, Maryland Big Tree Program, at mdbigtreeprogram@aol.com.

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