This specimen has a trunk circumference of 12 feet and thus is larger than the Black Walnut at Wheatland. The circumference of Valley Forge’s Pennsylvania State Champion, how-ever, is 18.5 feet. So the Conestoga tree is of county, not state, significance
This amazing species has so much of the toxic chemical “juglone” in its nut husks that these were formerly used to poison fish until the abhorrent practice was made illegal.
Note: Possible Pennsylvania penalties for the above crime include a base fine of $75-$250; additional fines of $20 per fish; and imprisonment of 20-90 days.
