Bald Hill Prairie Preserve
Byron, Illinois
Ogle County
The "Big Tree Champion" is the largest tree of its kind in Illinois, determined by a scoring system based on circumference, height, and crown diameter.
Illinois Big Tree Champion
Species: Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides)
Measurements: 122 feet tall (11 stories tall!), 28.5 feet in circumference, and 116 feet crown spread
Age: Estimated to be around 200 years old. Was at least around in the 1830s - since local farmers started preventing prairie fires and got rid of a lot of trees during that time frame.
This Eastern Cottonwood was designated the state champion in 2018.
I first stumbled upon this tree in 2021 by pure accident while browsing Google Maps, stating it was the Biggest Tree in Illinois. I got to photograph it finally in October 2022.
The tree was discovered by the Byron Forest Preserve District after purchasing the prairieland in 2017.
