With a trunk circumference of about 16 feet in 2018, this tree ties the second largest Red Maple listed for Pennsylvania at pabigtrees.com (height and spread haven’t been measured).
The age formula gives 275 years but this is not a forest tree so the estimate probably exaggerates. Even so, the tree was likely alive when President Buchanan lived at Wheatland (190 years ago), and in fact probably predated his purchase of the property. This impressive tree has certainly exceeded the average lifespan often given for its species of 80-100 years.
This A. rubrum is additionally unusual in that it turns bright yellow rather than red in the Fall (last photo).
This amazing species, which ranges from Canada to Florida, is the most abundant native tree in the entire United States. It is also the most abundant street tree growing in Lancaster (see entry for “Lancaster City Trees”).
