Wye Mills in Talbot County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Wye Oak

By F. Robby, June 7, 2011

1. The Wye Oak Marker

This marker, and the tree it describes, was knocked down by a storm in 2002, but is now back up by at least June 2011.

Inscription. The largest white oak in the United States. Estimated to be 400 years old (1940). Deeded to the state of Maryland Sept. 20, 1939, and made a state park.

Erected 1940 by State Roads Commission of Maryland.

Location. 38° 56.364′ N, 76° 4.821′ W. Marker is in Wye Mills, Maryland, in Talbot County. Marker is on Old Wye Mills Road (Maryland Route 662) 0.1 miles south of Wye Mills-Queen Anne Road (Maryland Route 404), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wye Mills MD 21679, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Wye Oak * National Champion White Oak (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Wye Oak (a few steps from this marker); The “Little House” in the Shade (within shouting distance of this marker); Wye Oak House (within shouting distance of this marker); A Glimpse Inside a Giant (within shouting distance of this marker); Wye Grist Mill

2. The Wye Oak Marker

DNR Photo, undated.

(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.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This link takes you to the "Wye Oak - National Champion White Oak" marker. It includes a brief history and several links about the historic tree.

Also see . . . DNR webpage on the Wye Oak. (Submitted on November 30, 2007.)

Marker and Tree Felled by Storm image. Click for full size.

3. Marker and Tree Felled by Storm

DNR Photo. Marker went down with the tree on June 6, 2002. Replaced with another marker: "Wye Oak - National Champion White Oak".

By F. Robby, June 7, 2011

4. Old and New

In the background to the left is a piece of the original Wye Oak trunk, protected by a pavilion. Inside the fenced area grows a clone of the original Wye Oak. The traditional Maryland Historical marker stands in the foreground. To the right of the marker is the Wye Oak House.

By F. Robby, c. 2000

5. The Wye Oak

The original marker can be seen in this photo just to the right of the trunk.

Trunk of the Wye Oak image. Click for full size.

By F. Robby, June 7, 2011

6. Trunk of the Wye Oak

This pavilion protecting a large piece of the original trunk of the Wye Oak is located a few yards behind where it lived and died.

The Cloned Wye Oak image. Click for full size.

By F. Robby, June 7, 2011

7. The Cloned Wye Oak

The cloned Wye Oak in 2011, growing within the footprint of the original, has grown quite a bit since its planting in 2006. For comparison, see the Wye Oak * National Champion White Oak Marker page for a photo taken by Beverly Pfingsten in 2007.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on November 30, 2007, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,991 times since then and 28 times this year. This page was the Marker of the Week December 2, 2007. Photos: 1. submitted on November 27, 2011, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. 2, 3. submitted on November 30, 2007, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. 4. submitted on November 27, 2011, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. 5. submitted on April 25, 2010, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. 6, 7. submitted on November 27, 2011, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland.