You know that moment when you pull off the road, look up, and your jaw just drops? That’s exactly what happens the first time you meet the giant Eastern Cottonwood in Alum Creek State Park near Lewis Center, Ohio.
This isn’t your average backyard tree. It’s a true heavyweight — one of the standout Ohio champion trees that makes you feel wonderfully small. If you’re anywhere in central Ohio and you love nature even a little, this is one spot you really should visit.
Finding the Big Guy Near Lewis Center
Head out toward the east side of Alum Creek Lake, near the intersection of Africa Road and Cheshire Road. Park along Cheshire, walk just a short distance north into the woods, and suddenly there it is — this massive, sprawling Eastern Cottonwood that feels like it belongs in a storybook.
According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, this tree currently measures about 380 inches around at chest height (that’s more than 31 feet!), stands roughly 122 feet tall, and spreads its branches over 100 feet wide. It earns a solid 527 points in the champion tree scoring system. A few years back it was even bigger and held the national champion title for its species. Time and a few storms have taken a little off the top, but it’s still an absolute beast and easily one of the largest trees you’ll see in central Ohio.
I remember the first time I stood next to it. My arms didn’t even come close to reaching around the trunk, and when I looked straight up, the branches seemed to touch the sky. It’s the kind of tree that makes you stop talking and just stare for a minute.
How Ohio Picks Its Champion Trees
So what exactly makes a tree a champion? It’s actually pretty simple and kind of fun.
The Ohio Champion Tree Program, run by the ODNR Division of Forestry, works with American Forests to find and celebrate the biggest trees of each species in the state. They use a straightforward formula: you add the circumference at breast height (measured at 4½ feet up), the total height, and one-quarter of the average crown spread. Whoever scores the highest for that species wins the title.
Right now Ohio has 14 national champions — trees that aren’t just the biggest in Ohio, but the biggest in the entire United States for their kind. That’s pretty cool when you think about it.
The Lewis Center cottonwood is the current state champion for Eastern Cottonwood, and it’s a perfect example of why these programs matter. These trees have survived decades of Ohio weather — brutal winters, hot summers, storms, and everything in between.
Other Impressive Champion Trees Around Ohio
While the Lewis Center tree is the local superstar, Ohio has plenty more giants worth checking out.
Down in Ashland County there’s an American Sycamore that currently holds the highest point total in the whole state — 561 points. In Ross County, a Chinquapin Oak boasts the largest single circumference on record at 375 inches. Closer to Columbus, you can find champion trees right in city parks like Goodale Park, which has a Chinese catalpa and a smoothleaf elm that both wear the Ohio champion crown.
Every one of these trees has its own personality. Some are tall and straight, others are wide and gnarly. But they all share one thing: they’ve grown big enough to earn respect from people who really know trees.
Why These Big Trees Matter So Much
Honestly, there’s something special about standing next to a tree that’s been alive longer than most of us have been around. These champions clean our air, give homes to birds and animals, and help keep our summers a little cooler.
In a fast-changing world where new houses and roads keep popping up, seeing a tree like this still thriving feels hopeful. The cottonwood in Alum Creek State Park has probably watched the area change from farmland to suburbs, and it’s still standing strong.
Plus, they’re just plain fun to visit. Kids love them because they’re big enough to play around. Photographers love them because they look dramatic in any season. And the rest of us? We love them because they remind us to slow down and appreciate what’s already here.
Planning Your Visit to the Lewis Center Champion Tree
Going to see it is easier than you might think. Alum Creek State Park is open year-round, and the tree is just a short, easy walk from the road. I’d suggest going in the morning or late afternoon when the light is soft the photos turn out amazing.
Bring good walking shoes, especially if it’s been raining (those roots can get slippery). In summer, bug spray is smart. In fall, the whole park lights up with color, and the cottonwood looks even more impressive against the changing leaves.
If you have a bigger tree you think might be a champion, the ODNR makes it simple to nominate one. Just measure it carefully, fill out the form on their website, and a forester will come check it out. Who knows — your backyard tree could be the next Ohio champion!
Final Thoughts
Next time you’re driving through Lewis Center or looking for something different to do on a weekend, make the short detour to Alum Creek State Park. Stand under that giant Eastern Cottonwood, look up, and just take it in. There’s something quietly powerful about these old trees. They don’t ask for attention, but once you see them, you don’t forget them.
So go ahead pack a snack, grab the family or a friend, and go meet one of Ohio’s living legends. You’ll come home with a few great pictures and that nice feeling you get when nature reminds you how incredible it really is. These champion trees near Lewis Center aren’t just big they’re a little piece of Ohio history still growing right in front of us. Don’t miss them.
