Monday morning a co-worker and I met up in Slidell, La. We changed
vehicles and headed for Audubon Park in New Orleans looking for the elusive
30 footer. We arrived at about 1030, he grew up in N.O., so he showed me
around a bit before we got to the park.         He knew of a larger tree
near the back of the park so we started there. Wow, I saw the tree from
the car, huge tree. We we got over to it and I thought how old this Live
Oak must be, around 400-500! A beautiful rounded crown specimen, with
the largest root mass I've ever seen on any tree. A single trunk with
forked limbs splitting at 15' above the ground. This tree looks similar
to the Middleton Oak you guys measured. The results, Audubon Park Oak,
CBH-35'2", Spread-165', making it the largest single
trunk tree I've seen or measured. Making it the new #2 on our list.
Located next to Exposition Blvd., Audubon Park, New Orleans, La.     

	The Audubon Park Oak- CBH-35’ 2”, Spread-165’, making it the new # 2 on our list.

    Next I noticed a Large Cherrybark Oak and had to measure it, wow!, 
very large for a park setting. CBH-16'2", Spread-78',making it the largest 
Cherrybark I've measured!       

A large Cherry bark Oak at Audubon Park, CBH-16’2”, Spread-78.

                          
            Next we started walking around the park looking at all the
Oaks, they are everywhere. There are approx. 1000 Live Oaks here with
269 being registered with the LA Live Oak Society. I could spend a
couple of days here to find larger trees, but time was short so I could
only measure a few more before we left for Mandeville, La to see the
National Champion Live Oak. The Seven Sisters Oak, measuring 38' CBH in
2001. Two more Live Oaks in the park measured, CBH-23'2", Spread-105',
and CBH-23',Spread-120'. It was now time to go.   

	The remaining trees from Audubon Park. Cbh-23’2”, Spread-105’ , Cbh-23’, Spread-120’. Cbh-21’4”, Spread-118’.  Making these Oaks the new # 20, 22 and  # 25 on our list.

We left NO and crossed the 24 mile Lake Ponchatrain Bridge north to Mandeville.
We arrived at the Champ at about 2:30, located on private property. I
took a couple of photos, but didn't measure the Champ without the owners
permission. I'm going to contact them, and return at a later date, the
tree is about an hour from where I live. I'm looking forward to
measuring it.              

The Angel Oak

	I got some photos, but didn’t measure the tree without the owners permission. Cbh-38’, measured in 2001. I will write the owners for permission to measure the Oak. What a Huge tree! I can’t wait to measure it to see the change in growth since 2001.

 In closing I'd say what a special place the Audubon Park is, I could
imagine the Native Americans and wildlife living in the Groves of
Ancient Oaks. If you get a chance to see them, you should.        Ed,
I'll send some photos.     

Larry                                         

Larry