ï~~2007
THE MICHIGAN BOTANIST
87
THE BIG TREES AND SHRUBS OF MICHIGAN
51. Quercus robur L.
English Oak
Elwood B. Ehrle
Dept. of Biological Sciences
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
The largest known English Oak in Michigan is located near Benzonia in Benzie County in the northwest part of Michigan's Lower Peninsula.
Description of the Species: English Oak leaves have rounded lobes like those
of a White Oak. English Oak leaves can be readily distinguished by the ear like
lobes at the base of the leaf blade (see Fig. 1) and by their being sessile or nearly
so (Barnes & Wagner, 2004). The leaves are 5-13 cm. long and 3-6 cm. wide
(Miller & Lamb, 1985). They are glabrous and dark green above and pale bluish
green on their undersurface. The acorns are 1/3 (or less) enclosed by their caps
and are borne singly or several on long slender peduncles which may reach
lengths of 2-5" (Krtissman, 1986). The bark is dark gray and deeply furrowed.
English Oaks are natives of England and Western Europe. They are usually wide
spreading trees and are frequently cultivated (Sargent, 1965). The narrowly
columnar cultivar 'fastigiata' (Dirr, 1983) is frequently planted, particularly near
buildings.
Location of Michigan's Big Tree: The state champion English Oak is located
on Case Rd. just 0.1 mi. south of Homestead Rd. To reach the tree take Rt. 31 to
the southern side of Benzonia. Turn left on Homestead Rd. (County Rd. 608).
After about a half mile you will come to Case Rd. The tree is on a curve on Case
Rd. opposite # 1091 Case Rd. The tree is 33' off the west side of the road. The
GPS coordinates for this location are N44036.966' x W86005.347'.
Description of Michigan's Big Tree: The tree has a single, solid, healthy
trunk. Measurements were made on July 10, 2004. The girth at 4%' above the
ground was 160" (13' 4"). Its height was 75' and its average crown spread was
58'. The total points for this tree (G + H + C.S.) thus are 160 + 75 + 15 = 250.
When previously measured in 1976 it had a girth of 155" a height of 81' and an
average crown spread of 76'. The tree has continued to add girth while losing
some of its height and crown spread. The tree has a luxurious colony of Periwinkle (Vinca minor L) growing around its base. It has a prominent fire scar and
a rotting strip below a branch sawed off about 5' above the ground.
The tree has a split rail fence in front of it. A sign attached to the fence indicates that the tree was adopted by the Benzonia Garden Club as a conservation
project. The sign gives the following history of the tree: "The acorn which produced this tree was carried from Beverly, MA by Henry B. Balch in 1867. It was
harvested from a tree which was in turn produced from an acorn brought by his
