Wye Mills in Talbot County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Preserving a Legacy
The Wye Oak
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 21, 2017
1. The Wye Oak Marker
In 1909, one of those admirers, Maryland's first state forester, Fred W Besley, took the first official measurements of the tree. The tree quickly gained notoriety as the “largest and finest specimen of white oak in the country”.
The Wye Oak State Park marked, the first time a government purchased a single tree for preservation (1939).
In 1940, the American Forestry Association held a nationwide contest to locate the “largest living specimens of American trees.” The Wye Oak was the first tree to be named a national champion. It was one of only two trees to have held its title since the contests beginning, until it tragically fell in a storm in June of 2002.
The tree measured nearly 32 feet in circumference and 96 feet tall. Its crown spread over 119 feet covering nearly 1/3 of an acre. The main trunk of the tree weighed over 61,000 pounds.
New life is being brought to Wye Oak State Park. A clone of the mighty tree has been transplanted to this site to be
this page online
Erected by Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Horticulture & Forestry. In addition, it is included in the Historic Trees series list.
Location. 38° 56.362′ N, 76° 4.836′ W. Marker is in Wye Mills, Maryland, in Talbot County. This marker is in Wye Oak State Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14214 Old Wye Mills Road, Wye Mills MD 21679, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Wye Oak (here, next to this marker); Wye Oak House (here, next to this marker); The “Little House” in the Shade (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Wye Oak (a few steps from this marker); A Glimpse Inside a Giant (within shouting distance of this marker); Wye Grist Mill (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Brief History of the Mill (approx. 0.2 miles away); So, How Does a Mill Work? (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wye Mills.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 21, 2017
2. The Wye Oak Marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 21, 2017
3. The Wye Oak
E.H. Pickering (Historic American Buildings Survey), December 1936
4. Old House & Wye Oak, Old Wye Mills...
Although difficult to see here for the lack of contrast, the Oak had two plaques back then, possibly historical markers.
E. H. Pickering, Library of Congress, HABS, 1936
5. Signs
The Old
Wye Oak Tree
The Largest
White Oak Tree
Known
Post Cards
For Sale
375 Years Old
Dimensions
Diameter 1 Ft. from ground 18' 8"
4 ½ Ft. from ground 6' 6"
Horizontal Spread 140 1/2’
Height 88’
Largest Limb Diam. 2 1/2’
1914
Credits. This page was last revised on August 19, 2019. It was originally submitted on February 2, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 235 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 2, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 4. submitted on February 5, 2018. 5. submitted on February 5, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
