Wildersville, Tennessee: Third Largest Pecan Tree in the World (Gone)

In early May I made a trip through Tennessee on I-40. We stopped at several attractions along the way including Natchez Trace State Park hoping to see the world's third largest pecan tree. When we finally got to the clearing there was nothing there but a VERY large stump.

After some examining it appears it may have been struck by lightning as there were lots of charred pieces around the stump of the tree. Walking around some more we discovered the tree itself chopped into pieces down an embankment right behind the clearing. I am guessing whatever happened was not too long before then, as you could still see tire treads where the tree pieces had been put there.

There is nothing left but a stump that is rotting out. The plaque is gone too. What a disappointment. But looking at the stump you can clearly see how massive it was.

The state park's brochure says it's the world's second largest pecan tree [2008 update - now it's the 3rd largest]. North of the park's main entrance on what appears to be single loop road, "The Big Pecan Tree" is a hollowed out trunk with one long live branch. A nice stone pedestal in front of the tree should have a plaque inscribed about the tree, but plaque is missing. Simple map with landmarks inscribed, doesn't do justice to the difficulty in finding tree, meandering roads and with poorly marked signs along the road.

The tree is the pride of Natchez Trace State Park. It's a really long drive on narrow roads (but they are paved), so I wouldn't recommend goin in iffy weather. There is a bit of mystery surrounding the origin of the tree. The plaque says "Accepted tradition says that this tree had grown from a pecan given to Sukey Morris by one of Andrew Jackson's men as they traveled homeward after the Battle of New Orleans." However, no one seems to know who Sukey Morris is, and in 1815 when the tree would have been planted, it was unsettled territory.

We saw the tree in winter, so it was a little sad looking, and it's fenced in to avoid vandalism, but the drive to the tree is really beautiful, and there is a lovely little picnic area set up there.