Heritage Trees
06
Behind you, along the wooded drive and before you, are over 80 species** of deciduous and evergreen trees. A large number are native but over half are cultivated. Many are considered "big trees" or "heritage trees" and there is one "champion tree". These specimens anchor an intact biodiverse landscape that has been stewarded for generations.
**For Oakwell's complete species list, click here.
Tree Measurement
When measuring trees, arborists use a tool called a D-tape (diameter tape) which automatically calculates the tree's diameter when placed around the tree's circumference. The point system used to rank champion tree was created by American Forests and is based on a tree's height, trunk circumference, and branch spread. Points are determined by adding Height (ft) + Trunk circumference (in) (at 4.5 ft, "breast height") + ¼ Average branch spread (ft)
For more information on measuring trees, click here.
PA Big Tree Program measurements and registration at Oakwell were completed on December 4, 2022 by ISA Board Certified Master Arborist Aaron Greenberg and ISA Certified Arborist Brice Dorwart.
Specimens of Note
To our left, beside Oakwell Mansion, we have a white oak that has been growing since the birth of our nation. The Lenape call this tree wipunkòkw and the scientific name is Quercus alba. This is the very white oak to which Olmsted referred in his telegram to William Bodine. This In 1919, when distinguished WWI veteran William Bodine was deciding where to place the new home for his young family amongst the forested corner of the Bodine’s Stoneleigh estate, he placed it between multiple oak trees that formed a continuous canopy shading the Oakwell home, their roots intertwined throughout the property, anchoring the soil and communicating through their fungi networks. Deciduous trees planted on the south-facing side of the residence would have allowed for light to warm the house in winter and shade the house in summer. This white oak is one of four that were originally formed a continuous canopy that continued east of the mansion. One of them was struck by lightning around 2012.
Circumference: 13.28' = 159" (50.5" diameter)
Height: 95'
Spread: 107' widest, 97' narrowest = 102' average spread
280 points
If you look to your left, behind the mansion, against the driveway and almost on the north property, is the 3rd largest tuliptree in Montgomery County. In the Lenape language this tree is called mùxulhemënshi, which means “canoe making tree”, and its scientific name is Liriodendron tulipifera.
Circumference: 13.45’ = 161" (51.25" diameter)
Height: 108’
Spread: 69' widest, 58' narrowest = 63.5' average spread
285 points
To the right side of the mansion is the second largest white ash in Montgomery County on the north property line. In the Lenape language, the ash tree is called mixakanakw and its scientific name is Fraxinus americana. Various calculators estimate that a white ash with a diameter this wide is approximately 300 years old.
Circumference: 15.6’ = 187" (59.5" diameter)
Height: 107’
Spread: 93' widest, 75' narrowest = 84' average spread
315 points
And to round out this big tree quartet, if you turn to face the rear of the property, hidden behind multiple towering white oaks, you will eventually reach the largest red oak in Montgomery County, the "County Champion" located at the back right corner of the greenhouse complex. In the Lenape language, the red oak is wisahkakw, and its scientific name is Quercus rubra. This particularly magnificent red oak is one of the newly registered listings of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association’s PA Champion Tree Program.
Circumference: 17.13' = 206" (65.5" diameter)
Height: 115’
Spread: 93' widest, 78' narrowest = 85.5' average spread
342 points
Suggestions for Property Management
This type of landscape is considered "parkland". It is considered unhealthy to have lawn against mature trees. Many of the ash and red oak trees you see here would benefit from mulch zones around their bases to ensure they receive the necessary nutrients for survival.
The rear of the property, with its incredible variety of horticulture and ecology, could easily be transformed into an arboretum. Students could compare insects and bird life on native versus nonnative horticulture.
Our tour now continues back to the driveway where we will walk towards Oakwell Mansion and pause to look at the fascade and horticulture.
