In Lone Hill United Methodist Cemetery near West Green, you can find an Eastern red cedar as big as a Live oak. [Maybe a younger Live oak, but you get the point]. Its age is unknown, but since red cedars are notoriously slow growers, it’s likely it was already of respectable size when some of the early congregants of Lone Hill buried their loved ones in its shade. As it has grown, it has begun to gently displace some of those graves.
American Forests, the non-profit organization that certifies big trees, has declared this Eastern red cedar*, [Juniperus virginiana] the National Champion. This means it’s the largest known example of the species. Recorded dimensions are: Height-57′. Crown spread-75′. Circumference-234″.
*- Also written as redcedar or red-cedar.
Update: Mike Deaton writes that on 26-27 September 2024, this tree was badly damaged by Hurricane Helene.
spent many days of
This tree is a wonderful example of nature at her best. I am proud that she grows in my home state GEORGIA.
I think that I shall never see a poem more lovely than a tree……..
Wow! This is indeed an impressive tree. Am I to understand that it will be protected?
Sharon Rice, Yes this tree is a treasure to our county and is very protected.
Pingback: Lone Hill United Methodist Church, Circa 1890s, Coffee County | Vanishing South Georgia Photographs by Brian Brown