American sycamore recognized as Champion Tree by the Montgomery County Forestry Board.
SILVER SPRING, MD—A tree grows in Dickerson—a very large tree, in fact the largest known tree in the state. Montgomery Parks, part of the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission is being awarded the 2013 Champion Tree Award today, by the Montgomery County Maryland Forestry Board for the American sycamore tree (Platanus occidentalis) located in Dickerson Conservation Park.
The 137-foot tall tree with a circumference of 310 inches or 25 feet and crown spread of 108 feet is recorded in the 2013 Register of Champion Trees for Montgomery County, MD at 475 points. Tree point index is a measurement determined by adding the tree’s circumference, height and average crown spread. It was discovered by Montgomery Parks Maintenance Crew Leader Dale Crigger at Black Hill Regional Park
Located along the banks of the Potomac River in Maryland, the American sycamore has thrived as a result of optimal growing conditions, including alluvial soils (fertile, wet soils) and a very sheltered environment on a lower bank of the river protecting it from wind and storms. The American sycamore is one of more than 200 trees in a growing inventory of historic, significant and champion trees that are nurtured and protected by Montgomery Parks Arboriculture Section’s Tree Preservation Program. While the sycamore is able to thrive on its own in a remote wooded area, many of the trees in this program require special staff care and attention to thrive in the heavily used, compacted soils of developed parks, including:
- Addition of wood chips to increase aeration to the roots and protect the tree root zones from equipment, vehicle and park patron traffic;
- Soil amendments such as compost to increase root growth;
- Removal of dead, diseased and high risk limbs;
- Installation of cabling, bracing and lightning protection among other special services.
“Montgomery Parks has an extensive tree maintenance, planting and care program that not only helps to beautify our parks, but benefits park users and county residents through the many ecological services trees provide such as clean air and rainwater runoff reduction to name a few,” said Department of Parks Senior Urban Forester Holly Thomas. “Park Arborists actively inspect parks and remove high risk trees and limbs to provide parks that are more inviting to park patrons.”
Champion tree nominations are accepted annually by the Montgomery County Forestry Board. Information and nomination forms are available at www.mcmdforestryboard.org.
About Montgomery Parks Arboriculture Section:
Montgomery Parks Arboriculture section provides a comprehensive tree care program that supports the protection, management and long-term health of trees and forests on parkland and provides a safer environment for park patrons, through the removal of high risk trees and limbs. The program also provides consultation for park renovation and development projects and preserves the most significant and highest valued parkland trees. In addition the Arboriculture section utilizes all green waste produced in the management of parkland to generate compost, soil conditioners and wood products. The Arboriculture section is part of the Montgomery Parks Horticulture, Forestry and Environmental Education Division supporting the acquisition, conservation, development, maintenance and management of parks.
About the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Montgomery Parks
Montgomery Parks manages more than 35,000 acres of parkland, consisting of 418 parks. Montgomery Parks is a department of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), a bi-county agency established in 1927 to steward public land. The M-NCPPC has been nationally recognized for its high quality parks and recreation services and is regarded as a national model by other parks systems.
For more on the Montgomery Parks visit www.MontgomeryParks.org
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