Big Tree Tour in Harford & Cecil Counties

Got a tape measure? Bring your extra-long one to size up these tree champions in Harford and Cecil Counties.

Join us for a driving tour to see these record-holding trees registered with the Maryland Big Tree Program. By using a formula developed by Maryland’s first state forester, Fred Besley, these trees are ranked by size and historical significance. Besley advocated for this record-keeping in 1925 and assigned a point value to “notable trees.” This system is now in use all over the US with the Maryland Big Tree Program managing our statewide tree records. If you’re curious about the math, the formula is tree circumference in inches + height in feet + ¼ of the average crown spread = total points. In addition to these trees’ remarkable size and age, we’ll learn about the significant historical events tied to their past.

We’ll start at Steppingstone Museum, following their Big Tree Guide for a walk around the property. From there we will drive through Susquehanna State Park, noting trees as we go, making our way to Deer Creek Friends Meeting House in Darlington. After a few more stops, we’ll check out the 15 registered trees at the Donaldson Brown Center in Port Deposit. Bring your lunch to eat under the trees there with a spectacular view of the Susquehanna River. When finished eating, we’ll make one more stop at Rodger’s Tavern Museum in Perryville. The museum will be open and we can walk the grounds and long pier out into the Susquehanna River.

NHSM is offering a companion Zoom lecture about the Maryland Big Tree Progam. Click here for more information on the Champion Trees of Maryland on June 27, https://marylandnature.wildapricot.org/event-5644996.

Our trip leader is John Bennett, Chair of the Maryland Big Tree Program.  A retired Maryland public school teacher and a  Cecil County Forestry Board member, John became Chairman in 2007 when the Maryland Association of Forest Conservancy District assumed responsibility for the operation of the Big Tree Program.  His favorite tree is the 333-point willow oak in Perryville at the historic Rodgers Tavern we will visit as our last stop. 

For additional information on the Big Trees Program, see https://www.mdbigtrees.org/ 

Difficulty: Easy to moderate, about 2 miles over the day, mostly flat

• The exact meeting location will be listed in your confirmation email after payment has been received.
• Dress according to the weather. Be prepared for hot and humid conditions. We’ll be cooling off in the car between stops.
• Bring water, lunch, snacks, sunblock, tick and insect spray.
• Bring your camera, an extra battery, a memory card, and a lens-cleaning cloth.
• No pets, please.

NEW – Payment and Cancellation Policy: Payment is due online at the time of registration. Cancellations made seven or more days in advance of the event will receive a refund minus a 5% processing fee. Cancellations made within seven days of the event will not receive a refund. Events with fees of $10 or less are not refundable at any time unless canceled by NHSM. NHSM retains the right to update or change these requirements at any time.

For questions, please email Jayne at JAsh@marylandnature.org