November 11, Saturday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. — The BIG Tree Tour (rain or shine)
Bill Guenther, Windham County Forester, will once again lead a daylong tour to view some of the largest trees in Windham County, either champions or significant trees on the Vermont Big Tree Register. The tour is free and open to the public. We ask that you please leave your dog at home.
Participants need to wear sturdy footgear and clothes to match the weather, and to bring water and lunch. Lunch will likely be from 12:30 – 1:00 p.m. at the Newfane Courthouse.
The tour will kick off at the information booth on the Brattleboro Common at the intersection of Park Place and Putney Road. There is ample parking on nearby streets. After a brief intro, we will walk to the first tree at the Inn on Putney Road B&B, walk back to our cars and then drive to the rest. From the start in Brattleboro, we will finish the tour in Harmonyvillle (hamlet in the Town of Townshend).
Most of these trees are found on private property; therefore, folks on the tour are encouraged to carpool to lessen the impact of the tour. It is also very difficult to keep a lot of cars together, so it is hoped that participants will be willing to carpool together wherever possible.
After a short introduction, the tour will depart at 8:45 SHARP, so don’t be late! For more information contact Bill Guenther at the Extension Service Office, 257-7967, Ext. 305. or
A booklet will be provided that includes the day’s schedule, types of trees, locations, and tree identification information. There is also an explanation of how to take the three measurements that are used to qualify a tree for the Big Tree Register.
The tour involves driving from one area to the next, then walking to the big trees, which are spread out around the county. There will be seven trees on the tour this year. The last 6 trees are within 100 yards of parking.
In the morning, we will visit what will likely become the state’s largest Japanese Maple, which we will measure on the tour. Following that will be the Runner-up Black Cherry, State Champion Red Mulberry, and the runner-up Butternut at the late Esther Falk’s residence.
For those who wish to join just the afternoon portion of the tour, you can link up with the group at the Newfane Courthouse between 12:30 and 1:00 p.m. The afternoon will include visits to three champion trees – Apple, Sycamore, and White Pine.
Please contact Bill Guenther or check back at the WRWA website, http://windhamwoodlands.org/, to confirm the final schedule.
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