State Champion Trees
The Pinetum, photographed by Arboretum student workers.
The Haverford College Arboretum is fortunate to have nine State Champion Trees! Read on to find out more!
The Haverford College Arboretum currently has nine State Champion trees. The Pennsylvania Forestry Association (PFA) runs the Champion Tree Program. The PFA and associated conservationists find and document the largest trees in Pennsylvania, preserving and promoting these species. Champion trees are determined from three measurements – the circumference, the height, and the crown spread. The largest known measured specimen of each species becomes the State Champion.
Our first Champion is the Shensi fir (Abies chensiensis), located in the Pinetum. It is 78.5 feet tall (23.9 meters), and has a circumference of 115 inches (292.1 centimeters) and a crown spread of 63 feet (19.2 meters). As a member of the fir genus (Abies), the Shensi fir has a few distinct characteristics. Like most firs, the Shensi fir has flat needles and cones that stand up straight. It is native to China and common in temperate climates near water sources, including riversides.
Another of our Champions is the Farges fir (Abies fargesii), also found in the Pinetum. It is 65 feet tall (19.8 meters), and has a circumference of 58 inches (147.3 centimeters) and a crown spread of 33 feet (10.1 meters). Another member of the fir genus (Abies), the Farges fir also exhibits flat needles and cones that stand up straight. However, in contrast to the Shensi fir, the Farges fir is predominantly found in the higher mountains of China.
The Hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa), found in the Pinetum, is 77 feet tall (23.5 meters), and has a circumference of 96 inches (243.8 centimeters) and a crown spread of 48 feet (14.6 meters). Despite its name, the Hinoki cypress is actually not contained within the cypress genus, but rather the false cypresses. The Hinoki cypress is native to Japan, and has large branches that flatten and droop at the ends. In Japan, it is often used for its wood, as well as for cultural purposes.
Our next Champion, the Sakhalin spruce (Picea glehnii), also found in the Pinetum, is 48 feet tall (14.6 meters), and has a circumference of 79 inches (200.7 centimeters) and a crown spread of 44 feet (13.4 meters). This spruce is native to Japan, and is distinguishable by its flaky, chocolate brown bark and sharp, bright green needles. As a spruce (Picea genus), the Sakhalin spruce has square-shaped needles and cones that hang downward.
A second of our spruce Champions is the Black spruce (Picea mariana), found in the Pinetum. It is 39 feet tall (11.9 meters), with a circumference of 72 inches (182.9 centimeters) and a crown spread of 39 feet (11.9 meters). As with the Sakhalin spruce, the Black spruce shares the common spruce characteristics of square-shaped needles and downward-hanging cones. The Black spruce is native to North America, particularly in the northern United States and Canada. It thrives in cold climates, and is often naturally found in peatlands, bogs, and the boreal forest (Taiga).
A third of our four spruce Champions is the Siberian spruce (Picea obovata), found in the Pinetum. It is 60.5 feet tall (18.4 meters), with a circumference of 55 inches (139.7 centimeters) and a crown spread of 33 feet (10.1 meters). This spruce has twigs that can range from red-brown to bright orange when young. The Siberian spruce is native to Russia and Mongolia, and is often found in cold climates. The wood of this species is important for timber, particularly in Russia.
The final spruce among our Champions is the Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), located in the Pinetum. It is 46 feet tall (14 meters), and has a circumference of 70 inches (177.8 centimeters) and a crown spread of 51 feet (15.5 meters). The Sitka spruce is the largest of all the spruce species, and its wood is often used in the production of musical instruments, including guitars and violins. It is native to western North America and is one of the most common species in the Hoh Rainforest in Washington.
Our lone pine Champion is the Japanese white pine (Pinus parviflora), which is also found in the Pinetum. It is 55 feet tall (16.8 meters), and has a circumference of 98 inches (248.9 centimeters) and a crown spread of 72 feet (21.9 meters). This species of pine is native to the steep slopes and ridges of Japan. The trunks of this tree are often crooked, giving full-grown trees a bonsai-like appearance. As with most pines, the needles of the Japanese white pine are arranged in fascicles (groups).
The final Champion in the Arboretum is the Willow oak (Quercus phellos), located near the sports fields. It is quite large, at 94 feet tall (28.7 meters), with a circumference of 210 inches (533.4 centimeters) and a crown spread of 129 feet (39.3 meters). Unlike the rest of the Champions, the Willow oak is not a conifer. It is native to the southeastern United States, and while it is an oak, it has leaves more reminiscent of a willow tree. As an oak, this tree produces acorns, which are an important source of food for wildlife.
Next time you are wandering about the Arboretum, keep an eye out for a gold tree tag, marking these wonderful and unique State Champion trees! They are a sight to behold.
Sources:
Haverford State Champions
