Linden Oak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Linden Oak |
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Linden Oak, May 2007
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| Species | White oak (Quercus alba) |
| Location | North Bethesda, Maryland |
| Coordinates | 39°01′22″N 77°06′08″W / 39.0227679167°N 77.1022224444°W |
| Date seeded | c. 1718 |
| Custodian | Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission |
The Linden Oak is a really old and huge white oak tree. You can find it in North Bethesda, Maryland. It stands right next to a busy road called Rockville Pike and a park road called Beach Drive. In 1976, this amazing tree was named a "Maryland Bicentennial Tree." This was because it had been around for a very long time, even surviving the American Revolution. Experts believe the tree started growing around 1718.
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Why the Linden Oak is Special
Nobody knows for sure why the tree is called "Linden Oak." This tree is one of the tallest white oak trees in the whole United States.
In 2011, the National Register of Big Trees listed a white oak in Indiana as the largest in the country. That tree was about 110 feet (33.5 meters) tall. It also had a wide crown, which is the leafy part at the top, spreading about 138 feet (42 meters).
In February 2008, the Linden Oak was measured by the Maryland Big Tree Program. It was 97 feet (29.5 meters) tall. Its crown spread was about 132 feet (40 meters) wide.
Some of the Linden Oak's very large, lower branches have been removed over time. This makes the tree look a little different now than it did in the past. One of the signs near the tree even shows a picture of how it used to look.
Signs and History of the Linden Oak
There are three special signs, called plaques, placed near the Linden Oak. These plaques tell us about the tree's history and why it's important.
Maryland Bicentennial Tree
The first sign was put up in July 1976. It was placed by the Maryland Bicentennial Commission and the Maryland Forest Service. This sign celebrates the Linden Oak as a "Maryland Bicentennial Tree." It honors the tree for being so incredibly old.
Maryland's Largest White Oak
The second sign was also placed in 1976 by the Montgomery County Department of Parks. This sign calls the Linden Oak "the fourth largest of its species in the state of Maryland." It also says it's the biggest white oak in Montgomery County. The sign mentions that the tree is over 250 years old. It also states its height is over 95 feet (29 meters) and its crown spread is over 132 feet (40 meters).
Honoring Idamae Garrott
The third sign was placed by the Montgomery County Department of Park and Planning. This sign honors Idamae Garrott. She was a local politician who cared a lot about the environment. Thanks to her efforts in 1973, a part of the Washington Metro's Red Line train tracks was built in a curve around the tree. This was done to make sure the tree was not disturbed or harmed during construction.
