avon big tree book

Big Trees in a Small Town

Few things in life can inspire us as a picturesque tree. The beauty and celestial majesty of a towering tree can infuse us with a sense of nature and our place in it.

The Town of Avon understands that trees are an integral part of the quality of life in your hometown. That’s why town officials have created a comprehensive urban forestry master plan and have committed resources to improving the quality of life. Because of this dedication, Avon has been designated a Tree City USA by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the National Arbor Day Foundation, and the national Association of State Foresters.

The Big Trees of Avon is an attempt to recognize the wonderful trees that already call Avon home. Trees were nominated by residents. Avon Special Projects Coordinator Erin Mulryan verified the trees by circumference. The following publication announces the winners and runners up in several categories. The book is presented backwards starting with Honorable Mentions.

For more information about Avon Big Trees contact Erin at EMulryan@AvonGov.org or call her at 272-0948.

Dan DunnellAlthough this tree was not the biggest

Bur Oa in town, its regal structure and proximity to County Road 100 N. makes it a must-see tree.

It is located in the front yard of the home, just west of County Road 900 E. It is one of many large old Bur Oaks in the area.

8721 E. C.R. 100 N.Bur Oak

61.115 inches

Honorable Mention

Avon Community School Corporation

This tree is noteworthy because of its massive size and proximity to the school. Because Hicko-ry and Cedar Elementary schools have few ma-ture trees, this one is highly visible and stands out in the local landscape.

Hickory Elementary School Eastern Cottonwood42.335 inches

Honorable Mention

Paul VogelHomeowner Paul Vogel planted this

tree along with two other Silver Maples along the east property line in the spring of 1968 and has enjoyed watching them grow over the years. Mr. Vogel’s children were small at the time but probably helped plant the trees.

230 Avon ParkwaySilver Maple

42.017 inches

Honorable Mention

Central Indiana Land Trust

3Both of these White Oaks

deserve recognition because of their nice structure and beauty. Both stand tall and straight, reaching large branches upward above the surrounding understory. White Oaks are considered the most useful and valuable of oak trees.

4David and Vickie

Lyhman

Burnett WoodsWhite Oak

26.738 inches

Honorable Mention

1022 Red Oak DriveWhite Oak

25.306 inches

Curtis RoseboomThis large oak graces the property

along with a large Green Ash. They may not be the biggest in town, but they add shade and tranquility to the home’s large front yard.

353 Avon ParkwayChinuapin Oak35.332 inches

Honorable Mention

Colleen CarterThis novelty tree is definitely deserving

of recognition! The homeowners noticed its unusual shape right away and call it the Colts tree and sometimes the I.U. tree. Reasons for its unusual growth pat-tern are unknown. It is a Black Locust which are common in Indiana.

1307 S. C.R. 625 E.Black Locust

61.115 inches

Honorable Mention

Sandy PrevostGinkgos were once found in North Amercia 200

million years ago, but are only found in sparse natural populations in China today. Considered a “living fossil,” the Ginkgo tree is one of the oldes known organisms on the planet. It is a hardy tree that can take the stresses from drought, poor soil, and pollution and does not have many known pests,, making it a popular and useful tree for streets and yards.

6589 E. C.R. 150 S.Ginkgo Bilboba

18.462 inches

#29

Richard Jessup,This winning Ginkgo represents one of many

different tree species on the property. Richard Jessup, local forester and tree lover, planted two Gingkos near the end of the driveway in the early 1960’s. This winner is larger than the other Gingko by the driveway presumbably because it receives more sunlight (the other one is in a shady location). Mr. Jessup taught his children the many benefits of trees and how to plant them properly so they would live and grow for future generations of Jessups. When he passed away in the spring of 2008, his wife and daughter had friends and family make monetary contributions in his name to the Town of Avon’s tree fund. Those contributions were used to purchase 17 trees and a memorial stone for Mr. Jessup, and can be found in the Avon Town Hall Park. Because Mr. Jessup loved trees and planted several species around his family’s home, five different species not common in Avon were chosen: Overcup Oak, Shingle Oak, Swamp White Oak, Kentucky Coffee Tree, and Fairview Red Maple.

In Memoriam

Cheryl Scott & David VredeveldKnown for its variety of fall colors that range

from yellow to purple, the Sweet Gum has a star-shaped leaf and spiny seed pods that are a little smaller than a golf ball. This Sweet Gum is one of three planted in a row behind a the home, and can be seen from Avondale Drive.

7125 Sycamore Drive

Sweet Gum25.146 inches

#28

Dean TurnerJust about everyone in Avon knows Dean

Turner’s Sycamore. It stands near the intersec-tion of County Road 200 S. and Dan Jones Road, and can be seen plainly from afar. This massive tree is very symmetrical with a few dead branches and a very broad crown, mak-ing it one of the most attractive and pictur-esque trees in town, big and small. Residents and visitors will be able to enjoy its from the soon to be built roundabout.

2110 S. C.R. 800 E.Sycamore

67.482 inches

#27

Colleen CarterBecause this Cottonwood winner is located

in a mature forest, a decent photo was hard to do. This tree’s diameter beat Hickory Elemen-tary School’s Cootonwood tree by only an inch. (See Honorable Mention Trees) Cottonwoods are common in Indiana, and are notorious for spreading their saplings in unwanted areas via their cottony seeds. This tree is an extremenly fast grower.

1307 S. C.R. 625 E.Eastern Cottonwood42.574 inches

#26

Brian BowersWillows often have several stems instead of one main trunk,

which makes it difficult to get a true measurement at 4.5 inch-es (diameter at breast height). This winning willow has sev-eral large spreading branches that shade the front yeard and home.

537 Woodfield CircleWhite Willow

18.144 - biggest stem;34.377 inches @ 3 foot height

#25

Matthew & Karen FrenchThis winning Tulip Poplar has a beautiful

straight trunk that towers over the two-story home. The Tulip is Indiana’s Stat Tree and is found throughout the Groves of Beechwood Farms. The yellow-green spring flowers resem-ble tulips, hence the name of thsi high-quality, useful tree.

7621 Black Walnut Dr.Tulip Poplar30.239 inches

#24

Pines of Avon - Common Area

The soft needles of a White Pine and its bushy branches make it a popular Christmas Tree.

C.R. 100 S.White Pine

24.987 inches

#23

Justin & Jessica MillerPaw Paws are typically very small trees, so

finding one of this size is exciting. They are of-ten found in colonies, and produce 3-5 inch-long fruits that look somewhat like a banana. Deer do not browse on the leaves because of their unpleassant odor and taste.

This tree has the honor of being nominated the Indiana Big Tree Contest. Winners of the state contest will be announced in 2010. You can see 2009 winners On the Indiana Depart-ment of Natural Resources website.

7766 E. C. R. 100 S.Paw Paw6.127 inches

#22

Justin & Jessica MillerThere are few mature Baldycypress in

Avon. This particular tree is one of many behind the and can be seen from the en-trance of Pines of Avon subdivision.

Baldycypress trees are deciduous co-nifers meaning they produce cones like other evergreens but they lose their needles in the fall. Although they are tra-ditionally found in the South, the Baldy-cyress has proven to grow successfully as far north as Canada.

7766 E. C.R. 100 S. Baldycypress

28.011 inches

#21

Robert CoraggioThe Coraggio residence is also home to the biggest Redbud. This winner has

large, graceful branches that cover a large part of the home’s front yard. The little purple flowers are on of the first blooms to be seen in early spring.#20

774 S. C.R. 1050 E.Redbud10.504 inches

Robert CorragioTThis winning tree stands next to

County Road 1050 East and the drive-way to the home. Hackberry trees are common in Avon, especially along old farm field fence lines that now border neighborhoods. Hackberry trees are great for streets and yards due to their tolerance of pollution, salt, and poor soils. They produce reddish drupes and turn yellow in the fall.

774 S. C.R. 1050 E.Hackberry

31.990 inches

#19

1038 S. C.R. 1050 E.Catalpa41.699 inches

#18

Katie Hoffar & Roland Sanford IIIThis residence is the home of four big Catalpa

trees that separate County Road 1050 East and the house. Catalpas are also known as “Cigar trees” because of their long, distinctive seed pds. Look for Catalpa worl on the leaves in late July and early Augusts. The fuzzy black worms make great fish bait.

Katie Hoffar & Roland Sanford IIIPopular for their fall colors and fast growth rate,

Red Maple varieties succh as this Big Tree are use-ful in yards and as street trees.

1038 S. C.R. 1050 E.Red Maple

37.561 inches

#17

Robert & Pamela WareThere are several varieties of Norway Maples.

This winner is the “Crimson King,” known for its season-long purple-colored leaves.

7514 E. C.R. 100 S.Norway Maple19.735 inches

#16

Pat McDonaldSilver Maples are abundant in Avon, as

well as Indiana. They are known for their fast growth and their massive canopy.

1695 Argyle DriveSilver Maple

57.932 inches

#15

Colleen CarterThis huge Sugar Maple towers over this

historic home built in 1863. The inset photograph shows the tree in a much younger and smaller state. It is interesting to compare the two photographs and see how this tree has flourished over the last two generations.

1307 S. C.R. 625 E. Sugar Maple36.606 inches

#14

Many Black Wlanuts dot the Avon Landscape, including the winner. It stands next to C.R. 150 South and the home’s driveway.

6685 E. C.R. 150 S.Black Walnut

32.149 inches

#13

Richard BoukesTucked away in the northern part of the An-

drews Manor neighborhood off of C.R. 200 South, this large Beech stands in the front yard adding shade for their home and yard.

8487 Northern Dr. American Beech38.515 inches

#12

Colleen CarterThe Carter’s Biitternut Hickory is

among many huge and old trees on the property, including the winning White Ash, Cottonwood, and Sugar Maple. These large trees shade the backyard making it an ideal spot for an afternoon nap.

1307 S. C.R. 625 E.Bitternut Hickory

41.937 inches

#11

David & Vickie LyhmanWildlife must love this Shagbark because it

drops plenty of nuts in the Lyhman’s back yard every year. Although this tree forks into two trunks, it stands tall and straight with its hicko-ry and oak neighbors.

1022 Red Oaks Dr.Shagbark Hickory31.911 inches

#10

Dan DunnellThis winning Green Ash and a notable

White Ash stand side by side next to the home’s driveway at County Road 100 North.

8721 C.R. 100 N.

Green Ash38.515 inches

#9

Colleen CarterThe lower branches of this sturdy White Ash

would be perfect for hanging a swing. This ash exudes beauty all the way around. There are no dead or decaying areas on the trunk and the crown is filed with live branches that soak up the sun.

1307 S. C.R. 625 E.White Ash56.818 inches

#8

Donald and Debra BarnesThe Shingle Oak is unique among oak

species because of the dark shiny leaves that have no lobes like other oaks. It has samller acorns than most oaks making it ideal for yards and streets.

1839 Argyle Drive

Shingle Oak31.990 inches

#7

Carol HefnerThe Hefner’s Swamp White Oak sits at the

corner of the property, which backs up to the beautifully wooded subdivision called the Groves of Beechwood Farms.

Although partially hidden by understory and the surrounding tree canopy, the long and thick branches of this mighty Swamp White extend out over the forest edge and hang over the yard.

This is just one of several healthy and mature trees in the Groves vicinity.

761 Raintree Drive

Swamp White Oak37.242 inches

#6

#5

TIE

Donald & Debra BarnesThe Pin Oaks at these homes were so close in size that they are both deserving of the largest Pin Oak award. The Pin Oak on Argyle Drive stands next to the home’s driveway like a guard to the rear yard.

1839 Argyle DrivePin Oak

35.332 inches

Arthur Skibble Jr.The oak in the front yard of 7204 Maple Drive dominates the front of the property and adds to the curb appeal of the home.

#5TIE

7204 Maple DrivePin Oak35.332 inches

Norman & Judy CodyThe Codys have done an excellent job of in-

corporating their winning Red Oak into their home and landscapting.

1348 Laurel Oak DriveRed Oak44.245 inches

#4

Avon GardensThis winning White Oak sits majestically

at the corner of County Roads 625 E. and 91 North. Avon Gardens owner Karen Robbins remembers the Indiana Depart-ment of Natural Resources saying that this tree was the tallest point in Hendricks County.

County Road 625 E. & 91 N.White Oak61.115 inches

#3

Avon Community School Corporation

The Avon Community School Corporation’s Outdoor Learning Center is home to many tree species, including the Town’s biggest Chinquapin Oak.

Measuring a bit more than 16 inches in circumference, this tree can be seen from Maple Elementary without entry onto the Outdoor Learning Center Property.

ACSC Outdoor Learning Center Chinquapin Oak62.389 inches

#2

Jennifer Davies knew this Bur Oak on the property she leases from Joe

Cooper was big, but was it big enough? It was.

At a resounding 72.654 inches in diam-eter this tree is the largest and winner of the Avon Big Tree Contest. It was proba-bly a stout sapling when Lincoln was as-sasinated.

Bur Oaks are a common sight along the edge of tallgrass prairie regions. They are considered fire tolerant.

Aldo Leopold, in his novel A Sand Coun-ty Almanac describes the Bur Oak as the only species that can stand up to a prai-rie fire and live.

“Have you ener wondered why a thick crust of corky bark covers the whole tree, even to the smallest twig? This cork is ar-mor. Bur oaks were the shock troops sent by the invading forests to storm the prai-rie; fire is what they had to fight.”

Bur oaks can also resprout from burned stumps, and the thick bark protects these mighty timbers from the elements.

Bur Oak is Winner650 N. Dan Jones Road