This eastern cottonwood has been (almost)* officially declared the biggest tree in Illinois. With a circumference of 28.5 feet and a height of 122 feet, it edges out the previous champion, a bald cypress on the Cache River. We estimate its age at 160-175 years old. Locals have known there was a big tree on the property--it has been a popular spot for hiking, sledding, and four wheeling--but its placement at nearly the lowest point on the property kept it somewhat hidden.
This cache is not ON the Illinois Big Tree Champion, but in a secluded spot nearby.
*We are waiting for the state forester to visit from the University of Illinois, but he's confirmed that our measurements make it the biggest tree.
Bald Hill geocaches are part one of our new Geotrail series! Once a month, the forest preserve will highlight one of our properties by placing new geocaches. Collect codes from log books for a geocoin prize. Find 15 caches and get a Byron Forest Preserve geocoin. Find 25 caches and receive both the regular and limited edition versions! May geocaches are on our new Bald Hill Prairie Preserve.
Current Geotrail caches:
Bald Hill Biggest Tree in Illinois
Bald Hill Rock Bottom
Bald Hill East View
Bald Hill South View
Bald Hill West View
Bald Hill North View
Coming in April and May 2019: Howard Colman Hall Creek Preserve and Nardi Equine Prairie. At least 15 total geocaches will be available between those at Bald Hill and these preserves.
Coming when the weather cooperates: Barrick Oaks Homestead Preserve, He-Leo Two Rivers Wetland Preserve, and Jarrett Prairie Preserve. At least 25 geocaches will be available to find for the geocoin prize by September, and our Geotrail series will culminate in an event in the fall (the event will also count as a find). UPDATE: Hot weather and storms interrupted this last year. I am on track to make up for it! Sorry for the delay.
Redeem codes at the Jarrett Prairie Center, 7993 N River Road, Byron. 815-234-8535. Hours of operation: M, W, F 8 am-4:30 pm; T, Th 8 am-8 pm; Sat & Sun 9 am-4 pm. You may also send a message to the cache owner if you need other arrangements.