Rev. Sandra McMillen, VDOF Area Forestor, Bob Boeren, Cathy Benson and Fincastle United Methodist Church Council leader Hi Nicely. Th tree is in the background.

Fincastle United Methodist Church received the  National Grand Champion Honeylocust certificate from the two people who nominated the tree and measured it for the award. They are  VDOF Area Forestor,  Bob Boeren and church member Cathy Benson, who presented the certificate in a brief ceremony on Wed. May 16.The event took place next to the tree. The Honeylocust has grown around a headstone and it is featured in “Remarkable Trees of Virginia” co authored by Jeff Kirwan and Nancy Hugo.

Here are the stats:

Here’s what Boeren’s tree measurements:

Height: 121 feet (a ten story building)

Crown: 122 east to west, 107 feet north to south crown average 114 with a composite number of 29 (average divided by 4.)

Circumference 234 inches at 4 and half feet or in forestry vernacular “DBH” or (commonly breast height.)

Boeren feels the tree is approximately 207 years old by its size and the fact the first wooden log church structure was built on the site in 1804 for the congregation that began in 1796.

“It is an amazing tree and in really good shape for it’s age,” he said.

“A view of the then smaller tree around the turn of the 19th to 2oth century can be found in the book called, “Fincastle Around Town.” Fincastle library has a copy,” said Rene Worthen,  a library assistant who attended the ceremony.

Fincastle UMC will hold Heritage Day on May 20th.

The FUMC Honeylocust national champ tree is ten stories tall! photo Cathy Benson 2011.

–submitted by Rene Worthen