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.

https://univofillinois.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Shortlist/index.html?appid=090997c75b2e4ca39dd7d35db4328962

A Register of Illinois’ Big Trees

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.

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