Silverton's Largest Oaks
2023 OAKtober champions
We generated biomass and eco-benefits estimates for 102 trees for Silverton’s kickoff OAKtober celebration.
Each tree had its circumference, height, and canopy width measured and its GPS coordinates recorded. Those physical size figures allowed me to calculate the above ground biomass of each tree and then the carbon content. I used the i-Tree Eco v6 application to estimate the annual eco-benefits.
In aggregate these 102 trees have an aboveground biomass, weight, of more than 1.2 million pounds and hold 623,839 pounds of stored carbon, the equivalent of the carbon emissions of 65 cars over one year. That stored carbon has a value of $55,802 on the carbon market. As free-floating carbon in the atmosphere, it represents a clear and present danger and accelerates climate warming which leads directly to increased wildfire risk. The replacement value of these trees is almost two million dollars.
READ more about it.
Oregon Garden oak
Six of the ten largest oaks in Silverton are in the oak groves in the Oregon Garden. This fact demonstrates how critical is their preservation of the natural habitat on the garden verge.
The grandest tree is recognized in Oregon's Heritage Tree program. It's dbh is 88 inches
Has a biomass of 66,404 lbs
Carbon storage of 33,202 lbs
Avoided water runoff 977 gallons
Pollution captured 63 oz
Mark Twain School oak
Silverton's largest oak outside the Oregon Garden is the largest standing tree in the oak grove at Mark Twain. It's the tree closest to the school.
It's dbh is 62 inches
Has a biomass of 32,814 lbs
Carbon storage of 16,407 lbs
Avoided water runoff 713 gallons
Pollution captured 56 oz
Pine St. Oak
The largest recorded private oak in Silverton grows on the north side of Pine Street, between James and Orchard streets. Learn from the long-endured trauma this tree grows with; don't remove a tree until it is truly dangerous.
It's dbh is 56 inches
Has a biomass of 27,316 lbs Carbon storage of 13,658 lbs Avoided water runoff 687 gallons Pollution captured 45 oz
Eureka Ave. Oak
Eureka Avenue wraps its way across the edge of Silverton and the Oregon Garden. Many very old and large oaks grow in the area - more are to be recorded. This private tree was the nineth overall largest oak.
It's dbh is 53 inches
Has a biomass of 24,016 lbs Carbon storage of 12,008 lbs Avoided water runoff 502 gallons Pollution captured 32 oz
Brown St. Oak
The fourth largest oak outside the Oregon Garden, tenth overall, grows in front of businesses at 118 Brown Street. It's easy to bypass this tree but its old and really large.
It's dbh is 53 inches
Has a biomass of 23,912 lbs Carbon storage of 11,956 lbs Avoided water runoff 740 gallons Pollution captured 47 oz