Big Tree Contest
2024 BigTree Contest ~ WHITE OAK TREE WINNER:
CONGRATULATIONS TO MARK AND JODY PAYNE - THEIR BEAUTIFUL OLD OAK TREE SCORED 370 POINTS!
Scoll down to see details about the 2025 Big Tree Contest....
Jody Payne with her Winning White Oak Tree! The circumference of this beauty was 235 inches (19'7") around and estimated to be 110 ft tall with one spread to be 110 ft wide! Score: 370
Parry and Susie Cochran's Oak tree just off of Rt.95 is also a sight to behold, with a circumference of 235 inches (19'7") around, height of 94 feet, and one spread to be 100 feet wide. Score: 353
Arlen & Jean Hostetler have this picture perfect white oak just outside of Smithville. Coming in with a circumference of 212 inches (17'8") a height of 85 ft. and one spread to be 110 feet wide, it scored 323 points for 3rd.
We are pleased to announce the winner of the BIG TREE CONTEST for WHITE OAK in Wayne County goes to Mark and Jody Payne’s magnificent tree that scored 370 points! This beauty of a tree had a total circumference of 235 inches (19’7”) and was 110 feet tall! She was closely followed by a well-known and easily seen oak tree, owned by Parry and Susie Cochran – that scored 353 points. Their tree can be viewed if you drive on Rt. 95 South (Blachleyville Rd). It also had a total circumference of 235 inches (19’7”) and measured 94 feet tall. We were thrilled to have 9 entries in our contest this year, and along with viewing and measuring these important trees, we were more than happy to meet the people belonging to the trees, and hear their stories and share their enthusiasm and passion for the trees and the environment. We want to thank all of the individuals for their entries so please come by our fair barn at the Wayne County Fair and check out the tree pictures. Here are the complete results and scores of the white oaks, and the BIG TREE Measuring Trees /SCORE SHEET that we use.
370 points : Mark and Jody Payne of Wooster
352 points : Parry and Susie Cochran of Wooster
323 points : Arlen and Jean Hostetler of Smithville
313 points : Colton Nussbaum & Family of Shreve
287 points : Justin Sheeter & Family of Wooster
274 points : Jeanne Mercer & JD of Wooster
273 points : Beth & Dan Tegtmeier of West Salem
246 points : David and Richard Guenther of Wooster
190 points : Bernadette Rohr of Doylestown
White oak trees (Quercus alba) are valued for their impressive size, which is a direct indicator of their age and ecological significance. These trees can reach heights of 80-100 feet and spread widely, with some specimens living for several centuries. Their large size provides extensive habitats and food sources for various wildlife, contributing to biodiversity. The age of a white oak enhances its ecological role, as older trees support more complex ecosystems. A large white oak symbolizes resilience, stability, and the intricate balance of nature. Their acorns are a critical food source for various birds, such as woodpeckers, jays, and wild turkeys, and mammals, including deer and squirrels. The dense foliage and broad canopy offer nesting sites and shelter for numerous bird species. The bark and branches support insects, which in turn attract insectivorous birds. Large, old white oaks thus play a vital role in sustaining rich and diverse ecosystems, underscoring their significance in nature. Their wood is highly valued for its strength, durability, and attractive grain, making it a preferred choice for furniture, flooring, and barrel-making. It’s no wonder the white oak is known as an ecological powerhouse!
Make sure you are on the lookout for the next BIG TREE winner – in 2025 we are searching for the largest SHAGBARK HICKORY TREE in Wayne County! Check back for more details!
2025 Wayne SWCD BIG TREE Contest ~ Shagbark Hickory !
We are nuts about the contest.. so get out, and get looking! We are ready to find the largest SHAGGY tree in Wayne County! You have until July 18th 2025 to get your nominations in to us! It's simple and easy to do! Fill out the form. Let us do the rest. Winning nominator gets a $25 gift card and the winnning tree owner gets a special plaque. Forms and details are in the office or can be downloaded by clicking the links below.
Web Links -
DID YOU KNOW? The number of leaflets is one good way to distinguish shellbark hickory from shagbark hickory, which mostly has 5 leaflets. So LOOK for the tree with mostly FIVE leaflets. Leaves are broad, up to 15 inches long, alternate, pinnately compound, and almost always have 5 finely toothed leaflets with serrations on leaflet margins. For more information, go to page 54 & 55 on the Trees of OHIO Field Guide.
2024 Wayne SWCD Big Tree Contest ~ White Oak
Get out, and get looking! We are ready to find the largest WHITE OAK tree in Wayne County! You have until July 19th 2024 to get your nominations in to us! It's simple and easy to do! Fill out the form. Let us do the rest. Winning nominator gets a $25 gift card and the winnning tree owner gets a special plaque. Forms and details are in the office or can be downloaded by clicking the links below.
ABOVE: image by rawpixel.com BELOW: Parfitt's Winning Eastern White Pine
2023 Big Tree Winner:
EWP Tree Nominated by Dave Parfitt/ Owned by Chippewa Local Schools
We decorate them, heat our homes with the wood from them, frame barns and houses with them, birds and animals seek shelter in them, and now it’s time to start searching them! What are they? Oh yes, TREES! Not just any tree, the wonderful Eastern White Pine! We are looking for the LARGEST white pine here in Wayne County! So, keep your eyes open… be on the lookout, and get that tape measure ready! We decided on the Eastern White Pine for a few reasons… first to give everyone a good head start. As a Conifer, the EWP tree keeps their needs all year long (also known as evergreen trees). However; Cedar, Spruce, Fir, Cypress, Hemlock and Pine are all evergreen conifers, so please make sure you know you have an Eastern White Pine. One sure telltale sign of the EWP is the needles – they have clusters of five , and the pine needles are bundles together at the base of the cluster. Spruce and Fir needles grow individually on the branch. Another reason we picked the Pine, was to spotlight the latest troubles the trees have been dealing with, which is White Pine Needle Damage (WPND). Known as needle blight it is a fungal disease that causes discoloration of needles and premature needle loss. WPND is favored by prolonged periods of wet weather in the spring. We want to educate everyone about this, as well as insects and other threats forests and trees are facing. Big Tree nominations are due July 14th and the forms and more information can below or stop by our office! We hope you get out and look for that lovely white pine tree! Winning nominator will receive a $25 gift card and the winning tree owner will receive a special plaque.
Links about EWP & Tree Contest
Ohio State Champion Trees: https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/safety-conservation/about-ODNR/forestry/champion-trees
Do I have a White Pine? https://blog.davey.com/do-i-have-a-white-pine/
Is it Pine, Spruce or Fir? By OSU Ext. https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/anr-80
White Pine Needle Damage Maine Forest Service https://digitalmaine.com/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1098&context=for_docs
National Tree Benefit Calculator - find out how much value a street tree has! http://www.treebenefits.com/calculator/