From the Maryland Big Tree Program:
Former Maryland State Forester John Riley has discovered a huge yellow poplar in Susquehanna State Park in Harford County. Members of the Maryland Big Tree Program recently measured this tree after Mr. Riley brought it to their attention, and found that this tree is the second largest yellow poplar in Maryland, and the second largest tree in Harford County.
This tree is located on the park’s Blue Trail, about 300 yards from the start of the trail heading north. The trail begins .2 mile north of the intersection of Rock Run and Quaker Bottom Roads near the entrance to Deer Hollow Farm. The tree is available to be viewed by the public but the trail is difficult to access and not suited for those with limited mobility. The tree is slightly right of the trail on a steep slope.
The tree has a circumference of 24’ 8”, a height of 119’ and an average crown spread of 127.5’. The total points are 447. The current Maryland State Champion yellow poplar is located in Montgomery County. It has a total point value of 467. The Harford tree actually has a greater circumference and crown spread, but the Montgomery tree is much taller.
Mr. Riley served as Maryland State Forester from 1991 to 1995. During that time he enthusiastically supported the Maryland Big Tree Program and therefore was thrilled to be able to find a tree to add to Maryland’s database of some 2300 trees. The Maryland Big Tree Program is now run by volunteers from the Maryland Association of Forest Conservancy District Boards with the support and sponsorship of the Department of Natural Resources Forest Service. Big tree owners who wish to nominate their own big tree may access this program using the DNR Forest Service website home page. Go to http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/trees/bigtree.asp.
So what is actually the largest tree in Harford County?
The largest tree in Harford County is an American sycamore at 349 points. It is on private property.