Big Oak Tree State Park is a state-owned nature preserve with recreational features encompassing 1,029 acres (416 ha) in East Prairie, Missouri, United States. The state park was established in a large expanse of drained cropland in 1938 to protect some of the largest trees in the state and in the nation.[5] The park was declared a National Natural Landmark in May 1986, recognized as a rare, untouched wet-mesic bottomland hardwood forest in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain portion of the Gulf Coastal Plain.[6]
| Big Oak Tree State Park | |
|---|---|
 Boardwalk trail through Big Oak Tree State Park | |
  Location in Missouri  Big Oak Tree State Park (the United States) | |
| Location | Mississippi County, Missouri, United States |
| Coordinates | 36°38′46″N 89°18′18″W / 36.64611°N 89.30500°W[1] |
| Area | 1,028.68 acres (4.1629 km2)[2] |
| Elevation | 289 ft (88 m)[1] |
| Established | 1938[3] |
| Visitors | 24,162 (in 2022)[4] |
| Governing body | Missouri Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | Big Oak Tree State Park |
| Designated | May 1986 |
List of champion trees
editBig Oak Tree State Park is the home of 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
editThe park has two trails for hiking through the forest, including an accessible boardwalk trail, plus an interpretive center along the boardwalk and picnicking facilities.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b "Big Oak Tree State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
- ^ "Big Oak Tree State Park: Data Sheet" (PDF). Missouri Department of Natural Resources. November 2017. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
- ^ "Big Oak Tree State Park: General Information". Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
- ^ "Missouri State Park Attendance For January - December, 2022" (PDF). Missouri State Parks. February 3, 2023.
- ^ a b "Big Oak Tree State Park". Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
- ^ "Big Oak Tree". National Natural Landmarks Program. National Park Service. June 28, 2012. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
External links
edit
Big Oak Tree State Park.
- Big Oak Tree State Park Missouri Department of Natural Resources
- Big Oak Tree State Park Map Missouri Department of Natural Resources