National Champion
Loblolly Pine Tree Is Blown Over

  Potlatch Corporation owned the National Champion loblolly pine tree. The tree started growing in French soil before the United States made the Louisiana Purchase. Before its fall in April, 2003, it resided in Cleveland County in the State of Arkansas. The tree measured 60 inches DBH (diameter at breast height – 4.5 feet above the ground) and was 140 feet tall. It was 65 feet to the first limb.

  On April 21, 2003, they cut the trunk at the top of the butt log, and then proceeded to cut cross sections off while working their way to the butt. These cross sections will be displayed in various museums and public building; therefore, the Old Champion will not disappear into history. The upper logs were cut and transported to a local hardwood sawmill to be processed into lumber. This mill was the only mill capable of sawing logs of this size. Some of the lumber will be used for memorial purposes as well as the cross sections. 

  Many school children had their pictures taken while standing at the base of the Grand Old Tree as part of a 4-H or FFA field trip. This Champion will be missed by the people of Southeast Arkansas.