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
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. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 37° 17.833′ N, 89° 31.203′ W. Marker was in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in Cape Girardeau County. It was 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 was in this post office area: Cape Girardeau MO 63701, United States of America.
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
this page online
Regionally, this marker was in Southeast Missouri. It was also in the American Ozarks, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, in the Corn Belt, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: St Vincent's Seminary and Southeast Missouri State University (about 500 feet away); Cape La Croix Creek (approx. Ό mile away); Don Louis Lorimier / El Camino Real (approx. Ό mile away); Old St. Vincent's Church (approx. Ό mile away); The Red House (approx. Ό mile away); George Drouillard (approx. Ό mile away); The Red House Interpretive Center (approx. Ό mile away); The Lewis and Clark Expedition Across Missouri (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape Girardeau.
Other markers no longer nearby. River Commerce (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Cape Girardeau and the Railroad (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing); Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed); Cape Girardeau River Crossings (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed).
Additional commentary.
1. Marker confirmed missing.
Just visited 10/25/2025. This park area has been renovated without updates to the markers.
— Submitted October 28, 2025, by Garrett Koch 
of Saint Louis, Missouri.
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)
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, August 12, 2012
4. Champion Beech Tree
Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2012, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 1,626 times since then and 18 times this year. Last updated on November 22, 2024, by Edward Troxel of Creal Springs, Illinois. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 23, 2012, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
