St. Croix 360

River stories to inspire stewardship.

  • Share News
  • Event Calendar
  • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
  • Support

St. Croix Valley tree is officially the biggest of its kind in the country

National organization declares black willow in Marine on St. Croix the largest specimen in America.

By Greg Seitz | October 18, 2018 | 3 minute read

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print
  • More
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • Telegram

Jennifer Teegarden of the MN DNR takes official measurements.

A black willow tree in Marine on St. Croix has been named national champion, bigger than any other known example of the species in the United States.

Last year, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources declared the tree the state winner. While it appeared to score higher than the previous national champion (tree size is calculated from height, trunk circumference, and crown diameter), the application and review process took some time.

The willow was finally crowned champion on September 5, replacing a New Hampshire tree.

Black willow big tree champion (Photo courtesy American Forests)

The news provides an opportunity to celebrate big, old trees, and their critical role in the St. Croix Valley and around the world.

“Big, old trees are not simply enlarged versions of young trees,” Dr. Jerry F. Franklin told American Forests in 2013. “Big, old trees have suffered the slings and arrows of climate, insects and diseases, and so they typically have a lot of features like cavities, which are really important from the standpoint of wildlife.”

Franklin was co-author of a 2012 article about the importance of such trees around the world, and how they are dwindling. The paper reported that large, old trees provide shelter for up to 30 percent of species such as mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians in some ecosystems.

That is supported by an observation from a neighbor of Marine’s big black willow.

“It is filled with birdsong in the springtime and orioles use it to build dramatically high, swinging nests,” Ann Kirn said.

The biggest black willow in America. (Photo by Greg Seitz, St. Croix 360)

According to the scientists, trees also store a lot of climate-change causing carbon, create habitat with rich soil and diverse species of other plants, are critical to managing water, and provide fruits, flowers, foliage, and nectar. They also provide “focal points” for wildlife to gather for pollination and reproduction, and much more.

Protecting large trees appears to be more important than ever, as the number of such specimens declines.

“Just as large-bodied animals such as elephants, tigers, and cetaceans have declined drastically in many parts of the world, a growing body of evidence suggests that large old trees could be equally imperiled,” the study says.

The reasons they are imperiled are as broad as the 150-foot wide crown of Marine’s black willow. Large, old trees are dwindling because they are either removed intentionally during logging, land clearing, agricultural, fire management, and for human safety. They also die faster due to drought, wildfires, invasive plants, air pollution, disease, and insect attacks. The likelihood of new trees growing into large old trees is also reduced due to overgrazing by deer and other wildlife, or domestic livestock, by competition with non-native species, and unnatural fire.

Because the Marine black willow is located on private property, its exact location is not being disclosed. It is growing in the lower part of the village, just over 100 yards from the St. Croix River.

See the St. Croix Valley black willow’s listing in the Champion Tree National Register »

Related

Follow

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter

St. Croix 360 is 100% supported by readers.

Click here to contribute →

 

Latest stories

  • No wakes allowed on lower St. Croix due to high water
  • Snake River Canoe Race sees fast times and smooth paddling
  • Developer proposes 12 new ‘cabins’ on St. Croix River

More news

  • Residents resist St. Croix Falls riverside development proposal
  • Birds, Bugs, and Blooms: A St. Croix 360 spring Saturday
  • Tribal officials applaud plan to change derogatory names for places
  • Stillwater teen drowns in St. Croix River while helping save friend
  • Afton State Park phenology May 13 to 19, 2022
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

About

St. Croix 360 builds support for river stewardship, and connects people and organizations. It is an independent news source produced by Greg Seitz, with past support from the St. Croix River Association.

Donate to St. Croix 360 today »

Story of 360

One of the biggest challenges facing the St. Croix River is harmful blooms of algae in in the lower river, due to excess nutrients in runoff. The goal is to restore the river by reducing phosphorus levels to 360 tons/year. Learn more »

Share Your News

St. Croix 360 is powered by a broad community of St. Croix River-loving people. Please visit our submission page to send tips, press releases, and other news.

Submit an Event

Lower St. Croix: St. Croix 360 partners with online calendar St. Croix Splash.

  • Submit your events to Splash.
  • Share it with St. Croix 360 for promotion.

For events elsewhere in the watershed, contact St. Croix 360 directly.

St. Croix 360 Syndication

To help increase awareness of the St. Croix River, news organizations and other outlets are free to share St. Croix 360 content, as long as you follow a few simple rules.

Republish St. Croix 360 stories »

Partners

  • St. Croix River Association
  • St. Croix Watershed Research Station
  • ArtReach St. Croix
  • You and all St. Croix 360's readers!
Handcrafted in May Township, Minnesota. Please contribute today »
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
 

Loading Comments...