Please register to join our C&O guide Jon Wolz and other tree lovers for a C&O Canal Pop-up walk on October 6th at 10:00 a.m. Participants need to register on poolesvilleseniors.org and have a signed Poolesville Seniors Liability Release form on file or sign the form prior to the walk. The registration is limited to 20 participants.
We will be meeting in the parking lot by the canal in Dickerson Conservation Park and walking 1/4 of a mile along the Potomac River to the State Champion Sycamore Tree (PLAOCC002), the largest known tree in the state. This sycamore tree is 145 feet tall, and its circumference is 27 feet.
Near the sycamore is the Montgomery County Champion Eastern Cottonwood Tree (POPDEL003). The tree is 125 feet tall and is 16 feet in diameter.
Then, we can walk back to the towpath and down to Lock #26 to view the Montgomery County Champion Silver Maple Tree (ACESAI001) about 1/4 mile down the towpath. This tree is 90 feet tall, and its circumference is 23 feet.
Please wear appropriate footwear since part of the walk will be along the Potomac River and the path may have some mud.
To read further about the Champion Tree Program and the trees on this outing, check out Activities & Programs | MCMDFORESTRYBOARD.
Jon Wolz, the leader of our “pop-up” walks and our local expert on the C&O Canal, has had a long history with the canal dating back to 1970. Jon has volunteered as a level walker with the C&O Canal Association (COCA) since 2015. His two levels encompass the area from White’s Ferry to Monocacy Aqueduct. Jon is a Canal Steward with the C&O Canal Trust for the Monocacy Aqueduct area and is the Poolesville representative for the Canal Towns Partnership. He also writes an occasional article in the Monocacy Monocle and his byline is “In Your Own Backyard”.