Big Trees in a Small Town Few things in life can inspire us as a picturesque tree. The beauty and celestial majesty of a towering tree can infuse us with a sense of nature and our place in it. The Town of Avon understands that trees are an integral part of the quality of life in your hometown. That’s why town officials have created a comprehensive urban forestry master plan and have committed resources to improving the quality of life. Because of this dedication, Avon has been designated a Tree City USA by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the National Arbor Day Foundation, and the national Association of State Foresters. The Big Trees of Avon is an attempt to recognize the wonderful trees that already call Avon home. Trees were nominated by residents. Avon Special Projects Coordinator Erin Mulryan verified the trees by circumference. The following publication announces the winners and runners up in several categories. The book is presented backwards starting with Honorable Mentions. For more information about Avon Big Trees contact Erin at EMulryan@AvonGov.org or call her at 272-0948.
Honorable Mention
8721 E. C.R. 100 N. Bur Oak 61.115 inches
Dan Dunnell Although this tree was not the biggest Bur Oa in town, its regal structure and proximity to County Road 100 N. makes it a must-see tree. It is located in the front yard of the home, just west of County Road 900 E. It is one of many large old Bur Oaks in the area.
Hickory Elementary School Eastern Cottonwood 42.335 inches
Avon Community School Corporation This tree is noteworthy because of its massive size and proximity to the school. Because Hickory and Cedar Elementary schools have few mature trees, this one is highly visible and stands out in the local landscape.
Honorable Mention
Honorable Mention
230 Avon Parkway Silver Maple 42.017 inches
Paul Vogel Homeowner Paul Vogel planted this tree along with two other Silver Maples along the east property line in the spring of 1968 and has enjoyed watching them grow over the years. Mr. Vogel’s children were small at the time but probably helped plant the trees.
Honorable Mention 1022 Red Oak Drive
Burnett Woods
White Oak 25.306 inches
White Oak 26.738 inches Central Indiana Land Trust
3
Both of these White Oaks deserve recognition because of their nice structure and beauty. Both stand tall and straight, reaching large branches upward above the surrounding understory. White Oaks are considered the most useful and valuable of oak trees.
4
David and Vickie Lyhman
353 Avon Parkway Chinuapin Oak 35.332 inches
Curtis Roseboom This large oak graces the property along with a large Green Ash. They may not be the biggest in town, but they add shade and tranquility to the home’s large front yard.
Honorable Mention
Honorable Mention
1307 S. C.R. 625 E. Black Locust 61.115 inches
Colleen Carter This novelty tree is definitely deserving of recognition! The homeowners noticed its unusual shape right away and call it the Colts tree and sometimes the I.U. tree. Reasons for its unusual growth pattern are unknown. It is a Black Locust which are common in Indiana.
6589 E. C.R. 150 S. Ginkgo Bilboba 18.462 inches
#29
Sandy Prevost Ginkgos were once found in North Amercia 200 million years ago, but are only found in sparse natural populations in China today. Considered a “living fossil,� the Ginkgo tree is one of the oldes known organisms on the planet. It is a hardy tree that can take the stresses from drought, poor soil, and pollution and does not have many known pests,, making it a popular and useful tree for streets and yards.
In Memoriam Richard Jessup, This winning Ginkgo represents one of many different tree species on the property. Richard Jessup, local forester and tree lover, planted two Gingkos near the end of the driveway in the early 1960’s. This winner is larger than the other Gingko by the driveway presumbably because it receives more sunlight (the other one is in a shady location). Mr. Jessup taught his children the many benefits of trees and how to plant them properly so they would live and grow for future generations of Jessups. When he passed away in the spring of 2008, his wife and daughter had friends and family make monetary contributions in his name to the Town of Avon’s tree fund. Those contributions were used to purchase 17 trees and a memorial stone for Mr. Jessup, and can be found in the Avon Town Hall Park. Because Mr. Jessup loved trees and planted several species around his family’s home, five different species not common in Avon were chosen: Overcup Oak, Shingle Oak, Swamp White Oak, Kentucky Coffee Tree, and Fairview Red Maple.
7125 Sycamore Drive Sweet Gum 25.146 inches
#28
Cheryl Scott & David Vredeveld Known for its variety of fall colors that range from yellow to purple, the Sweet Gum has a star-shaped leaf and spiny seed pods that are a little smaller than a golf ball. This Sweet Gum is one of three planted in a row behind a the home, and can be seen from Avondale Drive.
2110 S. C.R. 800 E. Sycamore 67.482 inches
#27 Dean Turner Just about everyone in Avon knows Dean Turner’s Sycamore. It stands near the intersection of County Road 200 S. and Dan Jones Road, and can be seen plainly from afar. This massive tree is very symmetrical with a few dead branches and a very broad crown, making it one of the most attractive and picturesque trees in town, big and small. Residents and visitors will be able to enjoy its from the soon to be built roundabout.
1307 S. C.R. 625 E. Eastern Cottonwood 42.574 inches
#26 Colleen Carter Because this Cottonwood winner is located in a mature forest, a decent photo was hard to do. This tree’s diameter beat Hickory Elementary School’s Cootonwood tree by only an inch. (See Honorable Mention Trees) Cottonwoods are common in Indiana, and are notorious for spreading their saplings in unwanted areas via their cottony seeds. This tree is an extremenly fast grower.
537 Woodfield Circle White Willow 18.144 - biggest stem; 34.377 inches @ 3 foot height
Brian Bowers
#25
Willows often have several stems instead of one main trunk, which makes it difficult to get a true measurement at 4.5 inches (diameter at breast height). This winning willow has several large spreading branches that shade the front yeard and home.
7621 Black Walnut Dr. Tulip Poplar 30.239 inches
#24
Matthew & Karen French This winning Tulip Poplar has a beautiful straight trunk that towers over the two-story home. The Tulip is Indiana’s Stat Tree and is found throughout the Groves of Beechwood Farms. The yellow-green spring flowers resemble tulips, hence the name of thsi high-quality, useful tree.
C.R. 100 S. White Pine 24.987 inches
#23 Pines of Avon - Common Area The soft needles of a White Pine and its bushy branches make it a popular Christmas Tree.
7766 E. C. R. 100 S. Paw Paw 6.127 inches
#22
Justin & Jessica Miller Paw Paws are typically very small trees, so finding one of this size is exciting. They are often found in colonies, and produce 3-5 inchlong fruits that look somewhat like a banana. Deer do not browse on the leaves because of their unpleassant odor and taste. This tree has the honor of being nominated the Indiana Big Tree Contest. Winners of the state contest will be announced in 2010. You can see 2009 winners On the Indiana Department of Natural Resources website.
7766 E. C.R. 100 S. Baldycypress 28.011 inches
#21 Justin & Jessica Miller There are few mature Baldycypress in Avon. This particular tree is one of many behind the and can be seen from the entrance of Pines of Avon subdivision. Baldycypress trees are deciduous conifers meaning they produce cones like other evergreens but they lose their needles in the fall. Although they are traditionally found in the South, the Baldycyress has proven to grow successfully as far north as Canada.
774 S. C.R. 1050 E. Redbud 10.504 inches
#20
Robert Coraggio The Coraggio residence is also home to the biggest Redbud. This winner has large, graceful branches that cover a large part of the home’s front yard. The little purple flowers are on of the first blooms to be seen in early spring.
774 S. C.R. 1050 E. Hackberry 31.990 inches
#19 Robert Corragio TThis winning tree stands next to County Road 1050 East and the driveway to the home. Hackberry trees are common in Avon, especially along old farm field fence lines that now border neighborhoods. Hackberry trees are great for streets and yards due to their tolerance of pollution, salt, and poor soils. They produce reddish drupes and turn yellow in the fall.
1038 S. C.R. 1050 E. Catalpa 41.699 inches
#18 Katie Hoffar & Roland Sanford III This residence is the home of four big Catalpa trees that separate County Road 1050 East and the house. Catalpas are also known as “Cigar trees� because of their long, distinctive seed pds. Look for Catalpa worl on the leaves in late July and early Augusts. The fuzzy black worms make great fish bait.
1038 S. C.R. 1050 E. Red Maple 37.561 inches
#17 Katie Hoffar & Roland Sanford III Popular for their fall colors and fast growth rate, Red Maple varieties succh as this Big Tree are useful in yards and as street trees.
7514 E. C.R. 100 S. Norway Maple 19.735 inches
#16
Robert & Pamela Ware There are several varieties of Norway Maples. This winner is the “Crimson King,� known for its season-long purple-colored leaves.
1695 Argyle Drive Silver Maple 57.932 inches
#15 Pat McDonald
Silver Maples are abundant in Avon, as well as Indiana. They are known for their fast growth and their massive canopy.
1307 S. C.R. 625 E. Sugar Maple 36.606 inches
#14
Colleen Carter This huge Sugar Maple towers over this historic home built in 1863. The inset photograph shows the tree in a much younger and smaller state. It is interesting to compare the two photographs and see how this tree has flourished over the last two generations.
6685 E. C.R. 150 S. Black Walnut 32.149 inches
#13 Many Black Wlanuts dot the Avon Landscape, including the winner. It stands next to C.R. 150 South and the home’s driveway.
8487 Northern Dr. American Beech 38.515 inches
#12
Richard Boukes Tucked away in the northern part of the Andrews Manor neighborhood off of C.R. 200 South, this large Beech stands in the front yard adding shade for their home and yard.
1307 S. C.R. 625 E. Bitternut Hickory 41.937 inches
#11 Colleen Carter
The Carter’s Biitternut Hickory is among many huge and old trees on the property, including the winning White Ash, Cottonwood, and Sugar Maple. These large trees shade the backyard making it an ideal spot for an afternoon nap.
1022 Red Oaks Dr. Shagbark Hickory 31.911 inches
#10
David & Vickie Lyhman Wildlife must love this Shagbark because it drops plenty of nuts in the Lyhman’s back yard every year. Although this tree forks into two trunks, it stands tall and straight with its hickory and oak neighbors.
8721 C.R. 100 N. Green Ash 38.515 inches
#9 Dan Dunnell
This winning Green Ash and a notable White Ash stand side by side next to the home’s driveway at County Road 100 North.
1307 S. C.R. 625 E. White Ash 56.818 inches
#8
Colleen Carter The lower branches of this sturdy White Ash would be perfect for hanging a swing. This ash exudes beauty all the way around. There are no dead or decaying areas on the trunk and the crown is filed with live branches that soak up the sun.
1839 Argyle Drive Shingle Oak 31.990 inches
#7 Donald and Debra Barnes
The Shingle Oak is unique among oak species because of the dark shiny leaves that have no lobes like other oaks. It has samller acorns than most oaks making it ideal for yards and streets.
761 Raintree Drive Swamp White Oak 37.242 inches
#6 Carol Hefner The Hefner’s Swamp White Oak sits at the
corner of the property, which backs up to the beautifully wooded subdivision called the Groves of Beechwood Farms. Although partially hidden by understory and the surrounding tree canopy, the long and thick branches of this mighty Swamp White extend out over the forest edge and hang over the yard. This is just one of several healthy and mature trees in the Groves vicinity.
1839 Argyle Drive Pin Oak 35.332 inches
#5
TIE Donald & Debra Barnes The Pin Oaks at these homes were so close in size that they are both deserving of the largest Pin Oak award. The Pin Oak on Argyle Drive stands next to the home’s driveway like a guard to the rear yard.
7204 Maple Drive Pin Oak 35.332 inches
Arthur Skibble Jr. The oak in the front yard of 7204 Maple Drive dominates the front of the property and adds to the curb appeal of the home.
#5 TIE
1348 Laurel Oak Drive Red Oak 44.245 inches
#4
Norman & Judy Cody
The Codys have done an excellent job of incorporating their winning Red Oak into their home and landscapting.
County Road 625 E. & 91 N. White Oak 61.115 inches
#3 Avon Gardens
This winning White Oak sits majestically at the corner of County Roads 625 E. and 91 North. Avon Gardens owner Karen Robbins remembers the Indiana Department of Natural Resources saying that this tree was the tallest point in Hendricks County.
ACSC Outdoor Learning Center Chinquapin Oak 62.389 inches
#2
Avon Community School Corporation The Avon Community School Corporation’s Outdoor Learning Center is home to many tree species, including the Town’s biggest Chinquapin Oak. Measuring a bit more than 16 inches in circumference, this tree can be seen from Maple Elementary without entry onto the Outdoor Learning Center Property.
Bur Oak is Winner
J
650 N. Dan Jones Road
ennifer Davies knew this Bur Oak on the property she leases from Joe Cooper was big, but was it big enough? It was. At a resounding 72.654 inches in diameter this tree is the largest and winner of the Avon Big Tree Contest. It was probably a stout sapling when Lincoln was assasinated. Bur Oaks are a common sight along the edge of tallgrass prairie regions. They are considered fire tolerant. Aldo Leopold, in his novel A Sand County Almanac describes the Bur Oak as the only species that can stand up to a prairie fire and live. “Have you ener wondered why a thick crust of corky bark covers the whole tree, even to the smallest twig? This cork is armor. Bur oaks were the shock troops sent by the invading forests to storm the prairie; fire is what they had to fight.� Bur oaks can also resprout from burned stumps, and the thick bark protects these mighty timbers from the elements.