Many local residents who visit Layton Park in Wagontown may not realize it, but the oak tree located near the park's entrance along Water Works Road is the ninth-largest black oak recorded in the state, according to the PA Champion Tree Program, and the third-largest in Chester County.

Aaron Greenberg of the PA Champion Tree Program, which measures and scores specimen trees in the state, commented, "The oak at Layton Park is a fantastic specimen of the species. We're glad to add it to our list of champion trees in Pennsylvania."

The tree's height is about 74 feet and its trunk measures 16 feet around. The canopy spread was measured at 110 by 124 feet in late 2020, when it was added to the registry. "Older black oaks, while common in Pennsylvania, often did not survive our industrial history," noted Will Caverly, a Downingtown native who is a volunteer with the PA Champion Tree Program. "If the trees survived the logging era, they are special trees to our area."

Members of the public are invited to nominate a tree that they would like documented and preserved by the PA Champion Tree Program, which is part of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association (PFA). "We get nominations from the public and we (give the tree) a score," Caverly explained. "There is a scoring mechanism and procedure. (The scoring formula is) the width of the trunk, the width of the canopy - the measurement of leaves end to end - and the height."

"(Scoring a tree) can be used for bragging rights. But there is also genetics. We're not doing breeding, but if someone is thinking what a good tree is to plant you can look at what has been successful," Caverly said. "It's a good way to help preserve history; these are trees that are hundreds of years old."

According to Caverly, the black oak played a role in preserving the surrounding land. "Greg Layton's family name graces the park where this black oak sits," he explained. "Greg's grandparents purchased 147 acres in Wagontown in the early 1940s. His grandfather was retired and envisioned being what Greg calls 'a gentleman farmer' on the property, but passed away before that could happen."

Greg's parents, Martha and Ted, moved to the farm in 1943. When Greg's father passed away in 1989, Greg's mother, uncle and aunt were left with control over the property. Wanting to keep the farm intact, Greg reached out to the Brandywine Conservancy, a local land trust. The organization performed an environmental study that showed the age and special nature of the black oak tree.

Greg worked out a deal with the township to preserve the land under conservation easement. Today, Layton Park has walking and running trails, pavilions, ballfields and a playground. Greg and his partner, Deborah Kates, recently visited the park with Caverly, where Greg spoke about the importance of preservation. "If the trees go down, we go down," said Greg.

"If it wasn't for the black oak, development of his family's properties would have gone much differently," Caverly added. "Greg hopes visitors to Layton Park give that historic tree a hug, feel its power and give thanks for perseverance."

For more information about the PA Champion Tree Program, visit http://pabigtrees.com.