tToday is Arbor Day. Always the last Friday in April, Arbor Day is a designated national holiday established to recognize and commemorate the significance of trees. There are many unique ways to celebrate the occasion. The most obvious is, of course, to go out and plant a tree. Other optimal suggestions include engaging kids with fun, themed activities and crafts, going on informative nature walks at a local park or nature center, or visiting an area arboretum or botanical garden. Whichever way you choose to mark the occasion is up to you, but the benefits of trees and their vitality to life on this planet cannot be overlooked, dismissed, or ignored. Every tree has a crucial and impactful role to play, from serving as a habitat and home to countless species of wildlife to producing the very air we breathe!
You may know that Maryland’s State Tree is the mighty White Oak. But once upon a time, three tree greats stood out with such symbolic fortitude and stamina that their lasting legacies remain rooted deep in local history, even though they no longer stand physically bound to the grounds on which they once stood. For this Flashback Friday Feature, and in honor of Arbor Day, I’m recounting a brief history of Maryland’s big three trees of great acclaim and their enduring legacies that still live on.
Arbutus Oak
First on the list is the large White Oak known affectionately as Arbutus Oak. This bucolic beauty once stood in firm formation along the southwest corner of the I-695/I-95 interchange, just outside the city limits of Baltimore. Spanning a height of more than 70 feet and boasting a base of about five feet in diameter, the Arbutus Oak was certainly a sight to behold.
While its imposing size was enough to attract attention, the tree’s antiquated past was one for the history books as well. It was believed to be somewhere in the ballpark of 330 years or more, having been seeded as early as 1690! Local legend even denotes that General Gilbert de Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, and his troop of men passed by this very tree in 1781 on their way to Elkridge during the Revolutionary War.
When the highway interchange was being constructed during the 1950s, ancient Native American artifacts were uncovered around the surrounding tree site. Owing to the significance of such finds, highway planners made amends to adjust the original designs, modifying the highway ramp southward to preserve the historic tree.
Sadly, the Arbutus Oak died in 2019. The cause was cited as being due to internal decay, rendering the trunk to become unstable and splitting in half.
Linden Oak
The legendary Linden Oak in Bethesda was another timeless tree marvel bearing a storied past. Possibly seeded as early as 1718, this stately giant went on to grow a far-reaching zenith of 97 feet with a crown spread of 132 feet.
Owing to its age, it was officially proclaimed a “Maryland Bicentennial Tree” in 1976 by the state’s Maryland Bicentennial Commission. This is an honor awarded to only a select number of historic trees that not only preexisted the official founding of the nation, but also withstood and survived the combat of the American Revolution as it unfolded throughout the state.
The tree’s significance as a historic landmark even caused Washington Metro planners to reroute the intended original course for their Red Line during the 1980s. The decision was worth it, even though the estimated cost ranged between two to four million dollars.
Despite the loss of one of its enormous branches in 2020, the Linden Oak stood its ground for two more years before finally succumbing to death in 2022. Citing safety concerns, it was decided that the dead frame would be removed in June of 2023.
After discussions between local government, civic groups, and even the park service, it was decided that the tree’s lower trunk would remain on location as a memorial. Additionally, a portion of the tree’s felled wood would be made into a sculpture by local chainsaw artist Colon Vale. The latter product has since found new life in Ken-Gar Palisades Park in Kensington as a bench.
Wye Oak
The star contender among notable national White Oaks was, and will always be, Wye Oak. Once dominating the scene in Wye Mills, Talbot County, this graceful green epitome was recognized for being the largest in the nation between 1941 to 2002. It was officially declared the State Tree of Maryland during its time-tested tenure as well.
It is strongly suggested that the acorn that sprouted this adored arbor was germinated as early as the year 1540. That makes it the oldest in addition to the largest. As for Wye Oak’s impressive measurements, records indicate it was 31 feet, 10 inches in circumference of its trunk at breast height, 96 feet in height, and a crown spread of 119 feet.
Over the years, the tree garnered many public recognitions and accolades. Some of these honors included being featured in American Forestry magazine as the first tree in the American Forestry Association’s “Tree Hall of Fame” and being named one of the American Forestry Association’s first National Champion Trees as well. It was after the Maryland General Assembly purchased the tree that they established Wye Oak State Park in 1939.
Wye Oak met its tragic demise back in June 6, 2002, the result of heavy winds and a harrowing, violent thunderstorm. Before the death blows of the storm, the tree was still hale and hearty, producing acorns at the ripe old age of 460 years or more!
The site where the mighty Wye Oak once stood proud and firm remains largely untouched. The same descriptive plaque, placed there originally in 1921, remains intact.
While Wye Oak is now gone, its legacy lives on. There are even ongoing cloning efforts underway at the University of Maryland, College Park. It was initially the grand oak’s mammoth size and resistance to oak wilt fungus and gypsy moth larvae that sparked the interest of Dr. Frank Gouin, Professor Emeritus of Horticulture. The first two successfully cloned samplings were planted at Mount Vernon on April 26, 2002. Another was implemented four years later on the site of the original Wye Oak during a June 6 ceremony.
Trees remain remarkably crucial key players in the overall balance of life on Earth. It is important to remember that undeniable fact on this Arbor Day. Consider showing your appreciation, support, and most of all respect by doing your own small part. Every little bit helps. Without trees, there can be no life.