Big Oak Tree State Park
Boardwalk trail through Big Oak Tree State Park
Map showing the location of Big Oak Tree State Park
Map showing the location of Big Oak Tree State Park
Location in Missouri
Map showing the location of Big Oak Tree State Park
Map showing the location of Big Oak Tree State Park
Big Oak Tree State Park (the United States)
LocationMississippi County, Missouri, United States
Coordinates36°38′46″N 89°18′18″W / 36.64611°N 89.30500°W / 36.64611; -89.30500[1]
Area1,028.68 acres (4.1629 km2)[2]
Elevation289 ft (88 m)[1]
Established1938[3]
Visitors24,162 (in 2022)[4]
Governing bodyMissouri Department of Natural Resources
WebsiteBig Oak Tree State Park
DesignatedMay 1986

Big Oak Tree State Park is a state-owned nature preserve with recreational features encompassing 1,029 acres (416 ha) in East Prairie, Missouri, United States. The state park was established in a large expanse of drained cropland in 1938 to protect some of the largest trees in the state and in the nation.[5] The park was declared a National Natural Landmark in May 1986, recognized as a rare, untouched wet-mesic bottomland hardwood forest in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain portion of the Gulf Coastal Plain.[6]

List of champion trees

Big Oak Tree State Park is the home of many current and past state and national champion trees—trees that are, for their species, the largest in the state or in the nation.

Champion Trees Circumference Height Spread Points Status
Pumpkin ash 118" 150' 77' 357 Alive
Rusty blackhaw 48" 29' 25' 83 Alive
Eastern cottonwood 288" 114' 76' 421 Died 1976
Slippery elm 264" 115' 60' 394 Died 1979
Shumard oak 205" 134' 86' 361 Died 1997
Bur oak 229" 154' 92' 406 Alive
Swamp chestnut oak 272" 156' 104' 454 Alive
Pawpaw 24" 39' 26' 70 Died 1980
Persimmon 97" 133' 45' 241 Alive
Possumhaw 14" 21' 30' 42 Alive
Swamp privet 26" 28' 31' 62 Died 1959
Black willow 148" 113' 69' 278 Alive

Activities and amenities

The park has two trails for hiking through the forest, including an accessible boardwalk trail, plus an interpretive center along the boardwalk and picnicking facilities.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 "Big Oak Tree State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ↑ "Big Oak Tree State Park: Data Sheet" (PDF). Missouri Department of Natural Resources. November 2017. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  3. ↑ "Big Oak Tree State Park: General Information". Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Missouri State Park Attendance For January - December, 2022" (PDF). Missouri State Parks. February 3, 2023.
  5. 1 2 "Big Oak Tree State Park". Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Big Oak Tree". National Natural Landmarks Program. National Park Service. June 28, 2012. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
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