The 16 Biggest Trees in Ohio

The state of Ohio has roughly eight million acres of forest land, which covers roughly 30% of the entire state, so it isn’t difficult to imagine how many trees there are here. The list below describes the 16 largest trees in the state, which can include their height, circumference, and even their age. Whenever possible, the exact location of the tree is listed for those who are interested in visiting it. Other than that, we’ve tried to provide an estimated location and at least a county name to help readers out.

Some of these trees are located on public property, whereas others are located on private property. Most are found on public property such as parks, schools, and other areas, so they should be very easy to visit if that’s what you decide to do. Most of the trees are listed as “monumental” trees, and many of them are on the National Register of Champion Trees. You can view photographs of the trees and get additional information on any of them by researching them online.

Here is the list of the 16 biggest trees in the state of Ohio.

16. Pringle Hawthorn in Portage, Pringle Hawthorn (crataegus coccinea var. pringlei), 26 feet

These trees start out as small as a shrub and never get extremely large. They are found throughout Ohio but can be found in smaller quantities in areas such as the Northeastern United States and other places.

15. Downy Hawthorn in Wood County, Downy Hawthorn (crataegus mollis), 28 feet

Crataegus mollis
Magnus Manske Crataegus mollis

The downy hawthorn trees used to be planted in New York City to attract birds. It is one of the largest trees of its genus and has blooms in the spring that look great but smell awful, according to many people. They also get apple-like fruits that look just like tiny red apples and have a sweet-tart flavor.

14. Downy Hawthorn in Madison, Downy Hawthorn (crataegus mollis), 30 feet

Crataegus submollis
Nadiatalent Crataegus submollis

Originally called the white-thorn tree, the downy hawthorn usually reaches 20 to 40 feet in height, which puts this tree right in the middle. At one time, they were grown to divide properties in Europe, making the perfect hedgerows to do so. The name Mayflower is another name for the hawthorn.

13. Atlantic White Cedar in Muskingum County, Atlantic White Cedar (chamaecyparis thyoides), 63 feet

Atlantic White Cedar.
Roseohioresident Atlantic White Cedar

This 63-foot Atlantic whitecedar tree sits in front of the New Hope Lutheran Church in Muskingum County, near where their cemetery is located. It is slender yet has a lot of beautiful greenery on it and is a true eye-catcher.

12. Logan Elm in Circleville in Pickaway County, American Elm (ulmus americana), 65 feet

Ulmus americana
Liné1 Ulmus americana

This tree has died and is no longer there, but it was considered to be one of the largest elm trees in the United States. Not only did it stand 65 feet tall, but it had a circumference of 24 feet, and the foliage spread out a whopping 180 feet. In 2012, a new elm was planted in its place, and the tree’s former location is now marked with a plaque.

11. Northern Catalpa in Lawrence County, Northern Catalpa (catalpa speciosa), 71 feet

Northern catalpa tree
Frederick County Forestry Board Northern catalpa tree

Northern catalpa trees normally grow up to 98 feet, and they have flaky gray bark. Their heart-shaped leaves are dark green in color and they have beautiful flowers that are white with purple spots and yellow stripes on the inside. This particular tree has a girth of around 56 feet.

10. Eastern Black Oak in Strouds Run State Park in Athens, Eastern Black Oak (quercus velutina), 79 fee

Quercus velutina
F. D. Richards Quercus velutina

With a girth of around 16 feet and a height of 79 feet, this is the only Eastern black oak in the area. There are reports, however, that the tree is no longer living and has actually fallen over, but this cannot be confirmed or denied.

9. Common Persimmon in Scioto County, Common Persimmon (diospyros virginiana), 87 feet

Diospyros virginiana.
Richie Hill; Wilcox, Mike Diospyros virginiana

These are tall slender trees that have a lot of beautiful greenery and grow juicy persimmons. Since these types of trees usually don’t get very tall, this 87-foot tree is unique.

8. Common Hackberry in Hancock, Common Hackberry (celtis occidentalis), 90 feet

Celtis occidentalis.
Karelj Celtis occidentalis

This tree is located in Hancock and has a circumference that is roughly 91 feet. It is on the National Register of Champion Trees and has been there since 2018.

7. Chinkapin Oak in Fairfield County, Chinkapin Oak (quercus muehlenbergii), 90 feet

Quercus muehlenbergii
Bruce Kirchoff Quercus muehlenbergii

Chinkapin oak trees have acorns smaller than most other types of oak trees and leaves that are usually round in shape. The acorns themselves either have very short stalks or no stalks at all and are usually no more than 8 mm long. This tree is a member of the white oak subgenus of Quercus.

6. Green Ash in Logan, Green Ash (fraxinus pennsylvanica), 92 feet

Green Ash
Katja Schulz Green Ash

Typically, green ash trees get to no higher than 82 feet, which is why the one in Logan is so unique. They have leaves that can be up to one foot in length, and they are green both above and below. Younger trees have smooth gray bark, while older trees have bark that is thicker and fissured. 

5. Northern Red Oak in Ashtabula, Northern Red Oak (quercus rubra), 92 feet

Quercus rubra
Bruce Kirchoff Quercus rubra

This is definitely a huge tree; in fact, it is currently known as the biggest northern red oak tree in the entire country. In addition to being 92 feet tall, the tree has a spread of 103 feet and a girth measurement of roughly 28 feet. It is nearly 300 years old, give or take 50 years, being planted around the year 1725.

4. Cucumbertree Magnolia in Stark, Cucumbertree Magnolia (magnolia acuminata), 92 feet

Magnolia acuminata
Huhulenik Magnolia acuminata

As tall as a nine-story building, this tree is located in North Canton/Stark and has a circumference of 292 feet. It is over 450 years old and would require seven people with their arms stretched out wide to stand around the tree. It has been on the National Register of Championship Trees since the year 2015, and it is located at Autumn Knolls condominiums.

3. Shingle Oak in Gallia, Shingle Oak (quercus imbricaria), 94 feet

Quercus imbricaria
Bruce Kirchoff Quercus Imbricaria

This 94-foot shingle oak is the biggest tree of its kind not just in Ohio but in the entire country. It used to be in the top five but circumstances with the other trees on the list changed that recently. The tree is 18 feet around the base and sits on private property in Vinton County. It is owned by the Mullens family and they are very proud of it.

2. September Elm in Hamilton, September Elm (ulmus serotina), 94 feet

September Elm
K6tmk6 September Elm

With a DBH of 93 feet and a crown that measures 56 feet, this elm tree is phenomenal and is considered a champion tree. It is located in Hamilton County and has been on the National Register of Champion Trees since 2018.

1. Majestic Giant, New Philadelphia, American Sycamore (platanus occidentalis), 124 feet

Platanus occidentalis
ZbnKhl Platanus occidentalis

This is a giant sycamore tree that sits behind the main building of the Central Elementary School. This is in Tuscarawas County. The tree is also very old, having been planted around 1679, give or take 60 years. This makes the tree roughly 340 years old, give or take 60 years. The tree also has a girth of roughly 22 feet.