Garrett County crowned the State Champion eastern hemlock last week! This towering tree is located within Swallow Falls State Park. Ranger Ryan Keller was looking for the largest hemlocks in the park for an interpretive program. He came across this tree and decided to nominate it for official measurement.
Garrett County Forestry Board Big Tree Committee members Mike Kozier and Derek Buckel, along with Forester Melissa Nash and Ranger Keller officially measured the tree on January 12, 2023. The tree scored a total of 288 points. Big Tree total scores are calculated via a formula that factors in the circumference of the trunk (in inches), total height of the tree (in feet) and 1/4 of the average crown spread (in feet). This tree has a circumference of 149 inches, height of 126 feet, and average crown spread of 53 feet.
Swallow Falls State Park contains some of Maryland's most breathtaking scenery. The Youghiogheny River flows along the park's borders, passing through shaded rocky gorges and creating rippling rapids. Muddy Creek Falls is a crashing 53-foot waterfall – a spectacular sight. Tall hemlocks dominate the silent woods. The 1 1/4 mile trail through S​wallow Falls guides hikers to some of the most breath-taking scenery in Western Maryland.
Swallow Falls State Park was originally part of a 1,917 acre tract of land donated to the state by brothers John and Robert Garrett in 1906 and designated as Garrett State Forest. At this time, the Maryland Public Lands system and State Board of Forestry were established. In the 1930's, the Civilian Conservation Corp developed the areas that are now Swallow Falls State Park and Herrington Manor State park from that initial tract of land.
Today, Swallow Falls State Park contains what we call old growth forest. Forests are generally considered "old growth" if they have not been logged or significantly disturbed by people since the 1700s. Of the 2.7 million acres of forest in Maryland, 2,000 acres are officially designated as old growth and 1.8% of that is hemlock forest. This park shelters the same precious 37 acres of hemlocks and white pines so loved as a camping spot by a group known as "the Vagabonds". In the summer of 1921, three men who changed our nation camped here beside Muddy Creek Falls. Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Harvey Firestone found peace and solace in this natural sanctuary. Not many old growth forests remain in the eastern U.S. and fewer still are as easily accessible to hikers.
Since this tree is located within the State Park, the public is welcome to visit it! Swallow Falls State Park is located at 2470 Maple Glade Road, Oakland, MD. From the Swallow Falls Canyon trail parking lot, take a left onto the main trail. The tree is approximately 100 yards from the main parking lot and then 75 yards to the right of the trail. Tree is in overall good condition and was last treated for hemlock woolly adelgid in May 2020 according to the tag. GPS coordinates are 39.499280, -79.417111.
For information on other Big Trees in Garrett County, or to nominate a tree, visit https://gcforestryboard.wixsite.com/gcfb.