ARKANSAS CO., Ark. (KTHV) - Deep in the Delta stands a tree, but not just any tree. This tree is a champion tree, the tallest of its kind. In fact, it's the largest champion tree in all of Arkansas.
In order to see this giant bald cypress, you have take a hike about a mile into Dale Bumpers White River National Refuge in Arkansas County. The last time it was measured was in 2004, but on Thursday employees with the Arkansas Forestry Commission took a hike to see how much it has grown in 12 years.
Adriane Barnes with the Forestry Commission said this tree is especially hard to get to because it sits in a body of water through most of the year. Add to that the cypress knees (a part of the tree that forms above the roots) that surround the tree make it difficult to get to.
For more than decade, this has been Arkansas' champion bald cypress. The employees calculate this based on the circumference, height of the tree and the spread of its crown.
"It's 43 feet and 6 inches," proclaimed John Pressgrove, a State Forestry County Ranger. "Before it was 42 feet."
The foresters calculate the tree is 126 feet tall, 532 inches in circumference with a crown that stretches as far as 75.5 feet.
"There's been no bald cypress challenge to the current champion since that time, so if someone knows of a bigger bald cypress, we'll measure it," said Barnes.
That means, for now, this bald cypress remains the champion of trees.
