Big Oak Tree State Park
| Big Oak Tree State Park | |
| Missouri State Park | |
 Boardwalk trail through Big Oak Tree State Park | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| State | Missouri |
| County | Mississippi |
| Elevation | 289 ft (88 m) [1] |
| Coordinates | 36°38′46″N 89°18′18″W / 36.64611°N 89.30500°WCoordinates: 36°38′46″N 89°18′18″W / 36.64611°N 89.30500°W [1] |
| Area | 1,028.68 acres (416 ha) [2] |
| Established | 1937 |
| Management | Missouri Department of Natural Resources |
| style=""color: #cde5b2"" | IUCN category | III - Natural Monument |
  Location in Missouri
| |
| Website: Big Oak Tree State Park | |
Big Oak Tree State Park is a 1,029-acre (416 ha) state park located in East Prairie, Missouri, United States. It was established in 1937 to help preserve some of the largest trees in the state and in the nation in a region of farmland.[3] It was declared a National Natural Landmark in May 1986 because it was a rare untouched wet-mesic bottomland hardwood forest in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain, which is part of the Gulf Coastal Plain[4]
List of champion trees
Big Oak Tree State Park is the home for many current and past state and national champion trees — trees that are, for their species, the largest in the state or in the nation.
| Champion Trees | Circumference | Height | Spread | Points | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pumpkin Ash | 118" | 150' | 77' | 357 | Alive |
| Rusty Blackhaw | 48" | 29" | 25' | 83 | Alive |
| Eastern Cottonwood | 288" | 114' | 76' | 421 | Died 1976 |
| Slippery Elm | 264" | 115' | 60' | 394 | Died 1979 |
| Shumard Oak | 205" | 134' | 86' | 361 | Died 1997 |
| Bur Oak | 229" | 154' | 92' | 406 | Alive |
| Swamp Chestnut Oak | 272" | 156' | 104' | 454 | Alive |
| Pawpaw | 24" | 39' | 26' | 70 | Died 1980 |
| Persimmon | 97" | 133' | 45' | 241 | Alive |
| Possumhaw | 14" | 21' | 30' | 42 | Alive |
| Swamp Privet | 26" | 28' | 31' | 62 | Died 1959 |
| Black Willow | 148" | 113' | 69' | 278 | Alive |
Activities and amenities
Activities in the park include fishing, hiking, and picnicking. An accessible boardwalk trail is available to take visitors through the forest.[3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Big Oak Tree State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
- ↑ "State parks...estimated acres". Revised Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan: 2008-2012. Missouri Department of Natural Resources. pp. 142–143. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Big Oak Tree State Park". Missouri State Parks. Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Big Oak Tree". National Natural Landmarks Program. National Park Service. June 28, 2012. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
External links
- Big Oak Tree State Park Missouri Department of Natural Resources