Indiana Farm Home to Largest Swamp Chestnut Oak in America

A family in Southern Indiana is making headlines for caring for one of the largest trees in the United States.

Richard and Kris Schepman’s farm, located just outside Crothersville, Indiana, has officially been recognized as the home of the largest swamp chestnut oak in the country.

The Size and Scope of the Champion Oak

The tree on the family's property is nothing short of impressive. According to WHAS11, it measures 95 feet tall, with a trunk circumference of 318 inches and a canopy that stretches 118 feet. The natural wonder is not open for public viewing, since it resides on private property, but it is now a nationally recognized record holder.

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Governor and DNR Recognition

Indiana Governor Mike Braun joined representatives from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to honor the Schepman family’s stewardship. The Governor praised the family for their commitment to growing healthy trees.

The DNR Division of Forestry tracks Indiana’s largest known trees by species and reported the Schepman oak to the National Champion Tree Program, which confirmed its record size.

The Champion Tree Registry has been keeping the record of the largest trees in the United States of America since 1940. These trees form a bridge between the past and the future – through documenting and promoting the conservation of these gentle giants, we are connecting ourselves with our ancestors and our descendants. We are grateful to those who chose to protect these trees in the decades and centuries prior, and we are committed to protecting these trees for decades and centuries to come. - NationalChampionTree.org

Why Swamp Chestnut Oaks Are Rare in Indiana

Swamp chestnut oaks are native to the Atlantic Coastal Plain and parts of the Mississippi River Valley. They can be found in Missouri and Illinois. And while less common in the Hoosier State, they can be found thriving in Southern Indiana if the conditions are right. Clearly, the Schepman family's tree is an especially rare find.

How to Submit Your Own Champion Tree

Indiana keeps a running list of state champion trees. If you think you have one that measures up, you can learn how to measure it properly and submit your own potential champions through the DNR’s website.

These National Landmarks are Made with Indiana Limestone

Limestone mined from Indiana has been used to build some of the most iconic and legendary structures in the United States. It has even been trademarked as "The Nation’s Building Stone." Here are some of the most well-known National landmarks made of Indiana limestone.

Gallery Credit: Kat Mykals

Source: Rare Swamp Chestnut Oak in Indiana Officially Crowned Largest in the Country