Cape Girardeau in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Champion Beech Tree

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 12, 2012

1. Champion Beech Tree Marker

Photo: Michael M. Grace

Inscription. This stately Beech is one of the largest and oldest trees in the State of Missouri. A registered "champion" tree, it is approximately 200 years old. Quite possibly it was alive at the time of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.

The American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) is the only native North American species of beech. A slow growing hardwood, beaches may live 300-400 years and attain heights of 70-120 feet. Beech trees are typically found in the hardwood forests of eastern United States.

Cape Girardeau is located at the edge of beech tree's growth range, where the beech-maple forest of Illinois-Indiana give way to the oak-hickory forests of Missouri.

Erected by Southeast Missouri State University.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Environment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1803.

Location. 37° 17.833′ N, 89° 31.203′ W. Marker is in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in Cape Girardeau County. Marker is on Morgan Oak Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is in a park on Southeast University Missouri - River Campus. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cape Girardeau MO 63701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. River Commerce (within shouting distance of this marker); Cape Girardeau and the Railroad (about 300 feet

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away, measured in a direct line); St Vincent's Seminary and Southeast Missouri State University (about 500 feet away); Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company (about 500 feet away); Cape Girardeau River Crossings (about 500 feet away); Cape La Croix Creek (approx. ¼ mile away); Don Louis Lorimier / El Camino Real (approx. ¼ mile away); Old St. Vincent's Church (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape Girardeau.

Champion Beech Tree (middle tree) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 12, 2012

2. Champion Beech Tree (middle tree)

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 12, 2012

3. Champion Beech Tree (middle tree)

Champion Beech Tree image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 12, 2012

4. Champion Beech Tree

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2012, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 1,146 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 23, 2012, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.