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Ozark National Scenic
Riverways - NPS photo
- Missouri Ozark Forest Ecosystem Project http://mofep.mdc.mo.gov/overview/default_overview.htm
- Big Oak Tree Natural Area, in Big Oak Tree State Park in
Missouri (Missippi County): old-growth wet-mesic bottomland forest
covering 160 acres within a 940-acre natural area. Big Oak
Tree Natural Area is a remnant of the vast bottomland forest and
swamp that once covered the Mississippi Lowlands Natural Division.
An 80-acre portion of the area is virgin wet-mesic bottomland
forest. The park, often called "The Park of Champions,"
has a tree canopy averaging 120 feet with several trees more than
140 feet tall. Nine trees qualify as state champions, including a
persimmon which is more than 133 feet tall. The half-mile long
boardwalk provides access to points of interest which are
interpreted in a self-guiding trail brochure. http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/areas/natareas/p84-1.htm
- Big Oak Tree State Park website: http://www.mostateparks.com/bigoak.htm
The big oak tree that the citizens fought to save was located in an 80-acre
tract of virgin bottomland hardwood forest, which is now designated as a
National Natural Landmark. It stood its ground there for nearly 400 years
before dying in 1952 and was cut down. Today, trees in the park are
unsurpassed in the state for their size, with a canopy averaging 120 feet
and with several trees more than 130 feet tall. Seven trees qualify as
state champions in their species; two of these rank as national champions.
Ninety percent of the park is designated as a Missouri natural area because
of its rarity and value in preserving this significant representation of
Missouri's natural heritage.
- Missouri Champion Tree Program http://mdc.mo.gov/forest/IandE/MOChampionTrees/index.htm
Champion Tree Registry http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/Documents/294.pdf
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July 2005