The Big Tree facts for kids
The Big Tree is a very old bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) tree. It is nearly 400 years old! This amazing tree stands near the Missouri River in Boone County, Missouri. It is one of the largest bur oak trees in the entire United States.
Standing alone in the river's wide valley, close to the city of Columbia, Missouri, the Big Tree is a famous landmark. It has inspired artists, photographers, and nature lovers for hundreds of years. The tree is 90 feet tall, and its branches spread out 130 feet wide. The land where the tree grows is private, owned by the Williamson family for many generations. However, you can visit it by using Bur Oak Road. The Katy Trail State Park is just a few steps away, making the Big Tree a popular stop for cyclists. The small village of McBaine is visible from the tree, and Huntsdale is also nearby. The Big Tree is part of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. The deep water underground near the tree helps provide drinking water for the City of Columbia. New trees have been grown from the Big Tree's clones and acorns. Many of these young trees are now growing in yards, parks, and schoolyards across Missouri and beyond.
History of the Big Tree
According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Big Tree started growing sometime in the 1600s. This means it is between 350 and 400 years old. The tree was already about 200 years old when the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition passed nearby. It is hard to find the tree's exact age because it is so large. The Big Tree has been known as the biggest bur oak in Missouri since 1987.
Surviving Challenges
The Big Tree has lived through many dry periods and floods. It even survived the Great Flood of 1993, when water was six feet deep around its trunk. Lightning has struck the tree many times. In October 2020, a lightning strike caused a fire inside the tree's core. This fire burned a large space inside. News reporters shared the story, and many people in the community were worried. The Boone County Fire Department quickly arrived and worked hard to put out the fire. Even before this fire, the tree had been slowly getting weaker for several years.
The Big Tree as a Name
The Bur Oak Brewing Company in Columbia was named after the Big Tree. They even have a beer called Big Tree IPA. Big Tree Medical, which is a doctor's office in Columbia, also got its name from this famous tree.
Images for kids
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Acorns from the Big Tree
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The Big Tree reflected in water
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The Big Tree on a dramatic morning
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The Big Tree on fire in 2020
