Have you ever stood next to a tree so large it feels like it touches the sky? The ohio champion trees delaware county usd lewis center area holds some of Ohio’s most impressive living giants. These record-breaking trees grow right in and near Lewis Center in Delaware County. Families, teachers, and anyone who loves the outdoors can enjoy them easily. They stand as quiet reminders of Ohio’s rich natural past and give shade, homes for animals, and fun learning spots for kids today.
What Are Champion Trees?
Champion trees are simply the biggest of their kind. People measure them in three easy ways. First, they check how big around the trunk is at 4.5 feet off the ground. That is called circumference at breast height, or CBH. Next, they find the total height from the ground to the top. Last, they measure the crown spread – how wide the branches reach. They add up points like this: CBH in inches plus height in feet plus one-fourth of the crown spread. The tree with the most points wins for its species.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources runs the official program. Anyone can nominate a tree. You just send clear photos, measurements, and the exact spot. Volunteers check the numbers to make sure they are correct. This program started years ago to celebrate and protect these special trees. You can find the full rules and nomination form on the Ohio DNR champion trees page.
Why Big Trees Grow So Well in Delaware County
Delaware County sits on rich soil left by ancient glaciers. The land is flat in places and has plenty of water from rivers and creeks. Lewis Center sits in the southern part of the county, close to Alum Creek and the Olentangy River. These wet areas help fast-growing trees like cottonwoods reach huge sizes. Older trees, such as white oaks, grew before many houses were built and survived because people left them standing.
Preservation Parks of Delaware County works hard to keep green spaces safe. Their page on Ohio’s big trees explains how these giants connect us to the past. Early settlers saw forests full of trees much larger than today. Many were cut for farms, but some big ones stayed in parks, old cemeteries, and backyards. Now, local champions remind everyone why we need to care for what is left.
Discovering the ohio champion trees delaware county usd lewis center
One of the stars in the ohio champion trees delaware county usd lewis center is the Eastern Cottonwood at Alum Creek State Park. This tree measures 380 inches around at breast height. That is more than 31 feet! It stands 122 feet tall with a crown spread of 102.9 feet. Its total points reach 527. That makes it the state champion for its species and one of the biggest trees anywhere in Ohio.
You can find it near the corner of Africa Road and Cheshire Road, just east of Lewis Center. Park at Alum Creek State Park and take the short trail. The tree grows right by the water, with strong roots that hold the soil and stop erosion. In summer its leaves shake in the breeze and make a soft sound. Kids love to look up and try to see the top. In fall the leaves turn bright yellow.
Another favorite is a giant White Oak right in Lewis Center. This beauty has a circumference of about 233 inches. Its wide crown spreads over 120 feet in some reports and gives wonderful shade. People call it a “honker” or “beast” because of its thick trunk and huge branches. It likely started as a pasture tree many years ago and stayed while houses went up around it. Now it stands as a landmark that makes the neighborhood special.
A Black Walnut on private land near Lewis Center also holds state champion status. It measures 211 inches around, 103 feet tall, and has a crown spread of 102.8 feet for 340 points. Its nuts feed squirrels and birds every year. The wood is strong and valuable, but the tree itself is the real treasure because it has lasted so long.
Even smaller trees get attention. A Common Pawpaw in wooded spots near Lewis Center is a state co-champion. It may only reach 23 feet tall, but it produces sweet fruit that people and animals enjoy. These examples show that the ohio champion trees delaware county usd lewis center include many different kinds, each important in its own way.
How to Measure a Tree Like the Pros
Want to check a tree in your own yard? Follow these simple steps:
- Find a straight spot on the trunk 4.5 feet from the ground.
- Wrap a soft tape measure all the way around. Write down the inches.
- For height, stand far away and use a simple app on your phone or a stick method with a friend.
- Measure the widest part of the crown and the narrowest part, then take the average.
- Add the points the same way the experts do.
Always ask the owner first if the tree is on private land. Take clear pictures and send them to Big Trees Ohio on Facebook. They love hearing from local families.
Visiting the ohio champion trees delaware county usd lewis center – A Family Guide
Lewis Center makes it easy for everyone to see these trees. Start at Alum Creek State Park. The entrance is at 3615 South Old State Road. From Lewis Center, drive east on Route 37 and turn onto Africa Road. Free parking is close to the trails. Bring water, snacks, and comfortable shoes. In spring look for wildflowers. Summer is great for picnics under the big cottonwood. Fall colors are bright, and winter shows the bare branches against the sky.
Highbanks Metro Park also has large trees and easy walking paths. The Overlook Trail is good for all ages and even has some paved sections. Pack a field guide or use the free iNaturalist app to identify what you see.
Best times to visit are early morning or late afternoon when the light is soft for photos. Go on weekdays to avoid crowds. Always follow the “Leave No Trace” rules: stay on trails, pick up trash, and never carve on the trees.
Many schools in the Lewis Center area plan field trips to these spots. Teachers use the trees to teach science, history, and respect for nature. Kids measure trunks with string and learn how old the trees might be by counting growth rings on fallen logs.
The Science Behind These Giant Trees
Trees grow big when they have good soil, water, and time. Delaware County’s glacial soil is full of nutrients. Creeks and rivers keep roots wet without flooding too much. Cottonwoods grow fast – sometimes two feet a year when young. White oaks grow slower but live for hundreds of years.
These big trees do important jobs. They clean the air by taking in carbon dioxide. Their leaves make oxygen for us to breathe. Roots hold soil so rain does not wash it away. Branches give birds and squirrels safe homes. In one big tree, dozens of animals can live at the same time.
Scientists study these champions to learn how trees handle storms, dry summers, and pests. The information helps foresters plant better trees for the future.
Keeping the Giants Safe for Tomorrow
Delaware County grows quickly with new homes and roads. That puts pressure on old trees. Storms can break big branches. Bugs and diseases sometimes attack. People can help in simple ways:
- Plant native trees in your yard.
- Support local parks with donations or volunteer days.
- Tell neighbors about the champions so they protect them too.
- Nominate new big trees when you spot them.
- Teach children to care for nature.
The ohio champion trees delaware county usd lewis center show what happens when communities work together. By saving one tree, we save a piece of history and a home for wildlife.
More Ways These Trees Help the Community
Beyond beauty, the trees bring people together. Local photographers post pictures online. Bird watchers keep lists of species they see in the big canopies. Families have traditions like annual photos next to the cottonwood.
In Lewis Center, the trees add value to neighborhoods. Houses near big healthy trees often feel cooler in summer and sell faster because people love the shade and look. Schools use them for outdoor classrooms where kids learn math by measuring and writing by describing what they see.
Other Big Trees Worth Seeing Nearby
While the champions get the spotlight, many other large trees grow in the area. Look for American Sycamores along Alum Creek with white bark that peels like puzzle pieces. Shagbark Hickories have funny shaggy bark and sweet nuts. Sugar Maples turn fiery red in fall. Each one adds to the green beauty that makes Delaware County special.
Fun Facts About Ohio Champion Trees
- The biggest sycamore in the whole country grows in Ohio.
- Some champion trees are more than 300 years old.
- One cottonwood can drink hundreds of gallons of water each day.
- White oak wood was once used to build strong ships.
- Big trees can lower heating and cooling costs for nearby homes.
These fun facts make the ohio champion trees delaware county usd lewis center even more exciting to talk about with friends and family.
Step-by-Step Plan for Your Next Tree Adventure
- Pick a sunny weekend.
- Check the weather and park hours.
- Pack a backpack with water, sunscreen, and a notebook.
- Drive to Alum Creek State Park or Highbanks.
- Find the big tree and take turns guessing its age.
- Measure with string if you want.
- Sit quietly and listen to the leaves.
- Take a photo and share it safely online with #OhioBigTrees.
- Stop for ice cream on the way home.
- Talk about one thing you learned.
This simple plan turns an ordinary day into a memory that lasts.
How the Champion Program Started and Grows
The national big tree list began in 1940 with American Forests. Ohio joined early and now keeps its own state list too. Volunteers across the state walk woods, measure trees, and send reports. Facebook groups like Big Trees Ohio share photos and updates. In 2026 the list grows every year as more people look carefully.
You do not need to be an expert. Just love trees and want to help. Many families in Lewis Center have found new champions this way.
Stories from People Who Love These Trees
One park ranger at Alum Creek says the cottonwood is her favorite spot to start the day. “It never fails to make me smile,” she shares. A teacher from a Lewis Center school brings her class every spring. The kids draw pictures and write stories about the “tree that touches the clouds.”
A grandfather who grew up nearby remembers climbing smaller trees as a boy. Now he takes his grandkids to see the same giants still standing strong. These real stories show how the trees connect generations.
What Makes Lewis Center Perfect for Big Trees
Lewis Center sits in just the right spot. It has older neighborhoods with big lots where trees were never cut. Parks and greenways protect land along creeks. The soil drains well but holds moisture. All these things let trees grow tall and wide for hundreds of years.
As the town grows, leaders and residents work to keep green spaces. New building plans often include saving big trees or planting new ones. That balance keeps the ohio champion trees delaware county usd lewis center safe while the community gets bigger.
Tips for Teachers and Parents
Use the trees for hands-on lessons. Measure and compare sizes to everyday things – the cottonwood trunk is wider than a school bus! Talk about life cycles, weather, and animals. Take photos and make a class book. Invite a park ranger to speak. These activities turn a simple walk into real learning that kids remember.
Seasonal Changes You Will See
Spring brings bright green leaves and bird songs. Summer offers cool shade on hot days. Fall paints the canopy in reds, oranges, and yellows. Winter lets you see the strong branch shapes against gray skies. Each season gives a new reason to visit the same trees.
Small Actions That Make a Big Difference
- Water young trees during dry spells.
- Pick up litter near big roots.
- Join a park clean-up day.
- Tell friends about the champions.
- Plant a tree on Arbor Day.
When many people do small things, big trees stay healthy for the next 100 years.
Connecting with Other Nature Lovers
Join the Big Trees Ohio Facebook group. Follow Preservation Parks news. Attend free walks at Alum Creek State Park. Share your own tree photos. You will meet others who care about the same things and learn even more.
For more helpful local guides, visit laaster.co.uk and explore their nature and community sections.
The Big Picture: Why These Trees Matter to All of Us
The ohio champion trees delaware county usd lewis center are more than big plants. They clean our air, cool our neighborhoods, give homes to wildlife, and bring joy to families. They teach us patience because they grow slowly. They show strength because they survive storms. They remind us to protect what is special.
In a busy world with new houses and busy roads, these giants stand still and steady. They invite us to slow down, look up, and feel thankful for nature right in our own backyard.
Conclusion The ohio champion trees delaware county usd lewis center give us living treasures we can visit any time. From the massive cottonwood at Alum Creek to the wide white oak in Lewis Center, these trees tell stories of the past and offer hope for the future. They help schools teach, families play, and the whole community feel connected to the land. By learning about them, measuring them, and protecting them, we keep Ohio beautiful for everyone.
What is the biggest tree you have seen in the Lewis Center area? Tell us in the comments or take a photo on your next visit and share it. Your story might help someone else fall in love with these giants too!
References
- Ohio Department of Natural Resources. National Champion Trees in Ohio. https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/safety-conservation/about-ODNR/forestry/champion-trees/national-champion-trees (Accessed February 2026). Official state program details, measurements, and nomination info for all audiences interested in verified records.
- Preservation Parks of Delaware County. Ohio’s Big Trees. https://preservationparks.com/ohios-big-trees/ (Accessed February 2026). Local park system overview perfect for families and teachers planning visits.
- State of Delaware News. New Big Trees of Delaware (2019). https://news.delaware.gov/2019/05/21/new-big-trees-of-delaware/