"The sassafras tree on Frederica Street in Owensboro, Kentucky, is the largest known of its species in the United States and the world," the PBS Learning Media says.

"It's now 60 feet tall and 23 feet, 7 inches in circumference. It's believed to be 250 to 300 years old. To find the champion trees, forestry experts award points based on height, circumference, and average crown spread."

"The largest known Sassafras tree in the world, approximately 300 years old, is located on one of the main streets of Owensboro," the Visit Owensboro Ky says.

"The tree measures over 100 feet tall and 21 feet in circumference. A few other sassafras trees are 60 feet or taller, but the average sassafras is 30 to 50 feet tall."

"Measuring over 100 feet tall, this sassafras tree is considered to be the largest recorded of its kind in the world. The typical sassafras tree grows between 20 – 50 feet in height during its lifetime. This particular tree is thought to be approximately 300 years old and has been noted for its size since at least 1883, when the first history of Daviess County and Owensboro was written. It was saved from destruction in 1957 by Dr. and Mrs. Grace Rash, and was cared for by the E.M. Ford Insurance Company after they bought the property in the 1980's. It has been listed as the largest sassafras tree in the U.S. on the American Forestry Association's register for over 60 years, and received a historical marker in 1968," the Clio.com says.

"The sassafras tree has been a landmark in Owensboro for much of the city’s history. As early as 1917, local newspaper articles were calling it the “world’s largest,” as designated by Literary Digest. It was not until after its potential destruction in 1957 that the tree gained much of its fame. 

"Dr. O.W. Rash bought the property on which the sassafras tree resides in 1928. In the mid 1950s, local officials developed a plan with the state Highway Department to widen Frederica Street. The original plan called for the sassafras tree to be cut down. Grace Rash began a letter campaign to Governor A.B. “Happy” Chandler, an old school friend of hers, to save the tree. Chandler instructed the Highway Department to halt its work and begin communicating with the Rashs to find a compromise that would save the tree. A landscaping professor was eventually brought in to work with the Highway Department to come up with a plan that would keep the sassafras alive."

"The historic sassafras tree on Frederica Street survived the harsh winds. Many others, along with dozens of utility poles, were uprooted or snapped near the base, leaving tens of thousands of people without power for varying duration," the Owensboro Times says.

"A system error caused the tornado siren to sound briefly but none ever touched the ground. All in all, officials said Daviess County largely only experienced “widespread minor” damage and some flooding as a result of Friday’s storm.

"Why did people think the sassafras tree had been blown down? The thought likely started because there was a tree that had been uprooted yards away. That tree fell toward the sassafras tree, and even possibly brought down a few limbs with it (even standing next to the trees it was hard to distinguish where the smaller branches came from). But the world’s largest sassafras is still standing."

"The average sassafras tree is thirty to fifty feet tall. There are some around that are sixty feet tall, but the World’s Largest Sassafras Tree is over one hundred feet tall. This amazing tree, located on one of Owensboro’s main streets, is twenty-one feet in circumference and is approximately 300 years old," the Great American Publishers says.

"As legend goes, the owner guarded the tree with a shotgun when threatened by bulldozers with the widening of a highway in 1957. She held them off at gunpoint until a call to the governor resulted in the tree’s protection.

"While in Owensboro, you may want to also check out the International Bluegrass Music Museum—the only international museum dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history, collections, and artifacts of bluegrass music. And don’t miss the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden featuring ten established gardens—Butterfly, Rose, Daylily, Iris, Herb, Luettgen Ericaceous, Ornamental Grass, Fruit & Berry, and the Takahashi Japanese Memorial Garden as well as a Children’s Garden."

"We had sassafras trees in our woods growing up but one as fat as a baseball bat was unusual. This tree is a monster! It is oak-like in size and stature. It is not a normal tourist attraction but it is right on a main road and is worth a quick visit if you love trees."

"A slight detour from the main drag brings you to this old tree which shows signs of a tough life. It’s not a perfectly formed crown, but, rather a little ragged around the edges. Park on the side street and have a look see. Love these old citizens." 

"we visited this aged great-great-great-grandmother of a tree. Park at the insurance agency and give it some love. It's far bigger than the old sign says it is. We love trees, especially, old and wise ones who have seen a lot of life pass by them."

"It is about a block from the Public Library so it is easy to see. Check out the Daviess Public Library while you are there because there is a playground for the kids."

"This experience changed my life. I thought I knew big trees but man, I was wrong. Imagine my surprise when even I, with my considerable reach, was incapable of wrapping my arms completely around its circumference. My grasp of the inherent limits of biology have been forever and fundamentally changed. If this tree, in a State Farm Insurance parking lot, can truly of its own accord be the biggest and most magnificent of its kind, I can do anything."

"Loved reading about this old, old tree on the historical plaque nearby. Actually, it’s a grouping of sassafras trees, the feature tree being the massive one."

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