News

Family holds 'beech party' to celebrate champion tree

Mark Stickney stands under his Beech tree with his wife, Jayne and grandchildren - Brooke, Bryce and Brayden Wittenberg.

By Amy McCraw, Published: June 17, 2023

Beach balls, cornhole and other outdoor games adorned Mark Stickney’s yard Saturday morning as he and his neighbors gathered to celebrate his more than 100-year-old American beech tree.

“We thought we’d have regular beech party,” Stickney cracked. “We feel honored this has been around as long as it has.”
About 20 of Stickney’s neighbors and family members turned out for the occasion that included donuts along with the lawn games — centered on a special honor for the tree.
Asheville’s Greenworks recognized the American beech tree as a Treasured Tree and designated it the largest beech tree in Henderson County. The couple received a certificate from the organization to commemorate the day and a plaque was tacked to the tree to designate its special status.
Pat Strang, a volunteer with Greenworks, said although the organization typically focuses on trees in Buncombe County, it decided to honor Stickney’s tree after learning about its size. The group designates trees at the request of property owners as long as the tree is not an invasive species.
“We just don’t want to see trees cut down,” she said. “People hesitate to cut when they see a placard.”
Stickney hopes the certification from Greenworks works to protect the tree located in the yard he has owned for about 10 years in the gated Ridgeview community off North Rugby Road. Stickney said he also applied to the state’s Champion Tree program; that's how he found out his tree was the second largest beech tree in North Carolina.
The property where Stickney’s home is now located and where the tree stands was once part of a dairy farm, he said.
“Our understanding, because this is the high point of the area, the barn was located nearby," he said. "It probably got excellent nutrition."
Arborists measured the tree’s canopy at 75 feet and its height at 75 feet. They also estimated it as being more than 100 years old. Strang said the tree could be closer to 200 years old.
In brief remarks after receiving his certificate from Greenworks, Stickney told his neighbors that he and his wife, Jayne, hope the tree continues to thrive.
“We’re going to enjoy the beauty for another 214 years,” he said. “It’s really not my tree or Jayne’s tree. It’s the neighborhood’s tree. It’s God’s tree.”