Owensboro in Daviess County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Sassafras Tree

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 1, 2020

1. Sassafras Tree Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

This giant tree, first mentioned for its size in 1883, has been an historic landmark in Daviess County for several centuries. Believed to be 250 or 300 years old, it measures over 100 feet tall, with a circumference of 16 feet. It is probably the largest of its kind in the world, and is registered with American Forestry Association as largest in U.S.

Erected 1968 by Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 1192.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Horticulture & Forestry. In addition, it is included in the Historic Trees, and the Kentucky Historical Society series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.

Location. 37° 45.296′ N, 87° 6.707′ W. Marker is in Owensboro, Kentucky, in Daviess County. Marker is at the intersection of Frederica Street (State Road 2831) and Maple Avenue, on the right when traveling south on Frederica Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2100 Frederica Street, Owensboro KY 42301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as

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the crow flies. Senator McCreery Home (approx. 0.4 miles away); Union Station (approx. ¾ mile away); Buffalo Road (approx. 0.8 miles away); Moneta J. Sleet, Jr. / Pulitzer Prize Winner (approx. one mile away); First Home of Governor Ford (approx. 1.1 miles away); "Stirman's Folly" (approx. 1.1 miles away); Old Trinity Centre Parking Area (approx. 1.1 miles away); Old Trinity Centre (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Owensboro.

Regarding Sassafras Tree. According to the Champion Tree National Register, the tree's truck circumference (measured in 2016) was 283 inches (23 feet, 7 inches), its height was 62 feet and its crown spread was 51 feet.

Also see . . . Sassafras (Sassafras albidum). From the Champion Tree National Register, maintained by American Forests. (Submitted on November 5, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 1, 2020

2. Sassafras Tree Marker

Sassafras Tree image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 1, 2020

3. Sassafras Tree

Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 358 times since then and 152 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 5, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.