alternatively known american state west_virginia long recognized size largest living american tree west_virginia tree stood approximately miles east moist flood plain banks tributary stream reached tree height measurement feet tree crown measurement feet feet breast height declared tree largest species united_states held title weeks association identified larger american maryland despite losing national title remained largest american west_virginia following survey large trees west_virginia named second largest tree white oak land located owned lumber company spared tree lumber operations area 1950s biologist tree stood memorial original virgin forest preserved land surrounding tree park known annual events april hiking led september fire set base trunk tree survived blaze suffered damage performed safety risk assessment tree determined structural feasible considered extreme hazard january year old suspect formally charged count arson setting fire tree following fire experts recommended safety measure according tree finally brought summer time death tree estimated years old geography setting prior arrival european american settlers explorers old growth forests consisting predominantly deciduous hardwood trees characterized individual trees enormous size american species trees old growth forests american grow feet height species distributed usually moist soils streams especially sandy soils american dominant species forests species present county west_virginia abundant state streams west_virginia largest american alternatively known located moist flood plain banks tributary stream tree located approximately miles east dimensions age recognition dimensions age measurements taken tree lifetime measurements differ tree breast height measured feet ground feet inches tree fork feet ground trunk measured feet diameter trunk stood height feet previous tree horizontal canopy spread measured approximately feet width lowest limb feet ground measured feet diameter according official measurements diameter breast height measured feet ground feet measured feet estimated feet height trunk measured approximately feet diameter measured feet forest floor according west virginia big tree program largest american west_virginia height feet tree crown measurement feet feet breast height time estimated years age physical characteristics eastern measuring feet height grew rotten tree main south fork taken root tree south fork remained describing growth upper tree fork writer referenced tree visible outer reported time tree trunk developed opening hollow center base allowed visitors step inside recognition long local landmark account age size known locally world largest american author included image brief description similar american near probably book trees stars birds book outdoor science tree won recognition largest tree species united_states held title weeks larger american maryland discovered recognized association despite losing national title remained largest american west_virginia big tree contest state largest tree went white oak near beating white oak measured feet diameter tree feet diameter speech united states senate honor june senator mentioned biggest best west_virginia preservation land located owned lumber company nearby company spared tree 1950s lumber operations area according biologist tree stood memorial original virgin forest preserved land surrounding tree park known park utilized tourists visiting tree swinging bridge fork provided access tree park trees nominated registry historic trees maintained annual events april hiking led addition nearby falls fork vandalism death afternoon september fire set base trunk fire burned hollow center tree hollow provided joint response fire remained scene hours flames tree survived blaze suffered damage initially following fire tree vicinity closed investigation assessment extent damage safety risk september urban forestry coordinator technical specialist engaged inspection evaluation tree provide recommendations report hannah assessed tree severe structural weakness caused fire instead highlighted tree size age severity defects cause instability assess fire caused mortality tree measurements developed tree risk assessment time investigation tree diameter breast height feet trunk consisting open space hannah found lower trunk root crown demonstrated formation new growth instead severe decay bark hannah determined structural feasible considered extreme hazard public excluded striking zone fencing signage investigation fire led chief investigator investigation lasted months suspect identified case turned attorney office butcher credited investigator bringing investigation conclusion january year old suspect formally charged count arson setting fire tree second juvenile charged providing false information investigators suspect charged counts providing false information conservation officers possession marijuana consumption alcohol second juvenile involved setting fire following fire experts recommended security measure according tree finally brought summer recognition tree office west virginia insurance commissioner considered naming options west_virginia health insurance marketplace following passage affordable care act
Webster Sycamore