A large oak tree on the Baylor campus that fell Monday, was believed to be the oldest of its kind in Hamilton County.
photo by Baylor School
The majestic red oak located on Baylor's campus next to Roddy Theater fell Monday night. It is believed to be the oldest of its kind in Hamilton County and one of the oldest red oaks in the state.
"As we remove the tree, we will save as much as possible to be recycled in ways both artistic and historic," said Baylor School Headmaster Scott Wilson. "We are committed that this great tree's legacy will be sustained."
The tree was infected with crown gall for several years and was slowly dying and finally succumbed to the weight from prolonged and heavy rain. Its exact age is unknown, but a measurement that was done approximately 10 years ago recorded its circumference at 18 feet, 4 inches, with a height of 107 feet, and an average crown spread of 20 feet. The measurements were applied to a champion tree formula provided by the Tennessee Forestry Department, and the tree earned the distinction of being the largest red oak in Hamilton County and the second largest in the state.
According to a 2005 Baylor magazine article, archeological records provided by Alexander Archeological Consultants in Chattanooga indicate that the Federal Calvary Brigade was possibly camped in the vicinity of the tree in October 1863 after the Battle of Chickamauga. A regiment was also camped at the site to defend a potential Confederate advance across Williams Island. The records state that "… the location of the William’s Island Ferry crossing has not been specified in the Civil War documents. However, we can reasonably conclude that it was located on the Baylor campus near the Big Oak."
Further evidence that the tree was already large at the time of the Civil War came in 1991 and 1992, when retired faculty member Bill Tatum led a group of Baylor students in conducting a two-year archaeological dig beneath the tree. A variety of Civil War era artifacts were unearthed, including shell casings, glass bottles, a bridle ring, and a soapstone die.