Harford County 'Big Tree' Takes State Title

Harford County has bragging rights on a newly named Maryland State Champion tree.

Dan Wilson, a volunteer with the Maryland Big Tree Program, recently discovered a sweet birch tree, also referred to as a black birch, deep in the Harford County part of Gunpowder Falls State Park, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

The tree stands about 100 yards north of the blue trail in the Sweet Air region of the Park and is measured at 115 feet tall and 10 feet, 1 inch around with a crown spread of 45 feet, according to the a release.

The tree is assigned a point value of 247, which is determined by the circumference in inches, plus the height in feet plus one-fourth of the average crown spread in feet.

According to American Forests, the Harford County tree is the tallest tree of its species on record and the largest of its species ever recorded in Maryland.

"The United States Champion is located in New Hampshire at 266 points. The Maryland champion appears healthy and could seize the national title in future years," the release states.