Maryland Loses Tree Champion, Weather Blamed

INDIAN HEAD, Md. (AP) -- Maryland has lost a champion tree. The Department of Natural Resources says a national champion American basswood in Chapman State Park in Charles County was recently found fallen. The 150-foot tall tree was believed to have been at least 200 years old.

The Department of Natural Resources says the tree claimed the national title in 2010 after it was discovered by Roderick Simmons, a biologist conducting a survey of the park. Simmons says the tree couldn't withstand the combination of Hurricane Irene in August and unusually heavy rainfall that followed in September.

Before it fell, the tree was more than 20 feet around with a crown of about 90 feet.

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