Mena Home to Arkansas ‘Champion Tree’

BY MELANIE BUCK –

For years, people in ‘logging country’ have slowly watched trees get smaller, and smaller. As the trucks pass by, locals see toothpick-like sticks instead of the large burly trees that used to live in places like the Ouachitas. Since 1997, the Arkansas Famous and Historic Tree Program is dedicated to recognizing and preserving what is left of the trees that we used to long to sit under after a hard day’s work.

Polk County is home to such a tree. Dr. Robert Manis and wife, Suzanne, have had a tree on the Arkansas Champion Tree Index since 2009. The Water Oak that sits solitarily in their pasture boasts a height of 92 feet, is 259 inches around, and has a crown spread of 88 feet. On the official ‘Bigness Index,’ the tree received a score of 373, topping that of any other Water Oak in the state.

On land that former country western star T. Texas Tyler once roamed while living with his grandparents, the tree has withstood countless tornadoes, straight-line winds, floods, and ice storms, to maintain its glory. It even withstood the Manis’ children when they spent hours climbing up and down the trunk to their treehouse that was perched in the limbs.

Dr. Manis said, “This tree is named the T. Texas Tyler Memorial Tree. The land was originally owned by the Myrick family. Tyler’s real name was David Luke Myrick. This was his grandparents’ farm and Luke spent a lot of time here.” Since this was the only land in Arkansas that Tyler owned and he was the first country western star to play Carnegie Hall, the tree was named in honor of him.

Since 1940, the National Big Tree Program’s goal has been to, “to preserve and promote the iconic stature of these living monarchs and educate people about the key role that these remarkable trees and forests play in sustaining a healthy environment.” There are more than 750 trees listed on the national list; Arkansas has over 130 on the state list.

There are many species in Arkansas that have not made the list so far. You could be Arkansas’ next big tree hunter. To submit a tree, you must measure the tree according to standards listed on their website, http://www.arhistorictrees.org/ or by contacting your local forestry station. You will need the trunk circumference, height, and crown spread. A formula, called the Bigness Index, using these measurements is calculated for species that have more than one submission. There is another Water Oak submission from Chicot County in Southeastern Arkansas however the Manis’ tree is slightly bigger. Trees are re-measured every ten years.

The Arkansas Champion Tree program is the subject of an upcoming documentary on AETN. Their website explains, “With lives spanning hundreds of years, these silent sentinels have watched history unfold around them. “Champion Trees” is a one-hour AETN original documentary that explores these natural wonders and how they influence and inspire the people around them. Featured in the documentary are champion trees from throughout Arkansas from Fayetteville to Helena and many points in between.” The documentary has won two Emmys, Best Cultural Documentary and Best Cinematography, among other highly acclaimed awards.

Artist Linda Palmer, of Hot Springs, has spent many days and driven many miles to use the Champions as subjects for her works of art. Palmer has photographed and drawn each Arkansas Champion Tree to preserve their beauty. She is also included in the documentary. Palmer said, “These trees have witnessed the history of our state, along with the histories of the families and people that lived around them. Arkansas has such natural beauty and our trees are an important part of our heritage. My desire is to celebrate this beauty with my art.”

The Manis’ tree was the focus of a recent field trip of RMCC’s history classes for 55 and older students. Instructor Kathy Adams said the classes have 135 students who are focusing on the history of the Ouachitas and Ozarks.

Palmer will visit the Ouachita Center at Rich Mountain Community College on Monday, November 17, from 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. for her Champion Tree presentation and drawing debut. For more information about the event, contact Kathy Adams at 479-394-7622.

About Author

Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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