East Hempfield Township near Lancaster in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Lancaster County's "Old Sycamore"
(Platanus Occidentalis)
Photographed by William Pope, December 6, 2021
1. Lancaster County's "Old Sycamore" Marker
This sycamore was here when the colony of Pennsylvania was "Penns Woods". The tree is situated on land that was part of a 1718 Penn grant, deeded by Penn to the early settlers.
"Pennsylvania's Most Massive Tree"
"The oldest sycamore in Pennsylvania"
"A more heroic sight would be hard to find in the world of trees"
The state forestry department in Harrisburg, PA estimated the tree to be over 250 years old in 1900. Measuring 27 feet in circumference, the main trunk has been visibly hollow since it was hit by lightning in 1957. The Pennsylvania Forestry Assoc. recognized it as over 300 years old in 1982. Monumental Trees documented the girth as 25 feet (or 7.62 meters) in 2014.
265 Plane Tree Dr, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17603 Dedicated by AKA Worldwide Arbor Day, April 27, 2018
Erected 2018 by AKA Worldwide.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Horticulture & Forestry. A significant historical year for this entry is 1718.
Location. 40° 3.046′ N, 76° 23.419′ W. Marker is near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in Lancaster County. It is in East Hempfield Township. It is on Plane Tree Dr. 0.1 miles Old Tree Dr, on the
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania, specifically in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and in the Susquehanna Valley. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Mountville (approx. 1.7 miles away); 1717 (approx. 2.1 miles away); In Grateful Memory (approx. 2.2 miles away); Lancaster Area Refuse Authority (approx. 2.4 miles away); In Honor of our World War heroes (approx. 2.4 miles away); Men and Women of West Hempfield Township (approx. 2.4 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 2½ miles away); Pennsylvania Rifle (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lancaster.
Photographed by William Pope, December 6, 2021
2. Lancaster County's "Old Sycamore" Marker
Photographed by William Pope, December 6, 2021
3. Lancaster County's "Old Sycamore" Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2021, by William Pope of Marietta, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 2,027 times since then and 93 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 6, 2021, by William Pope of Marietta, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
