Owensboro, Kentucky: World's Largest Sassafras Tree

Saved from the bulldozers by a local lady with a shotgun. 21 ft. circumference.

Address:: Frederica St., Owensboro, KY
Directions:: At the southwest corner of Frederica St./US Hwy 431 and Maple Ave.

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World's Largest Sassafras Tree.

World's Largest Sassafras Tree

World's Largest Sassafras Tree -- still standing.

[Stephen Francia, 05/06/2020]

Largest Sassafras Tree

Sassafras Tree

It's no longer as tall, but still pretty impressive!

[Mary McAlevy, 08/21/2012]

The World's Largest Sassafras Tree was over 100 feet tall when last we checked. No one other mighty sassafras has stepped forward to knock it off its world's largest pedestal.

World's Largest Sassafras Tree

With a circumference of 21 feet, the world's largest sassafras tree is thought to be between 250 and 300 years old. The tree measures over 100 feet tall. A few other sassafras trees are 60 feet or taller, but the average sassafras is 30 to 50 feet tall.

The champion sassafras was threatened by the widening of a highway in 1957. But when the bulldozers came, owner Grace Rash was waiting with her shotgun. She held them off at gunpoint until a call to the governor resulted in the building of a retaining wall to protect the tree.

[Amy Murphy, 04/09/2007]

World's Largest Sassafras Tree

On the main street (Frederica) of town, there is the largest known sassafras tree in the world. It's thought to be between 250-300 years old.

[Sally Brannen, 11/12/2005]

World's Largest Sassafras Tree

Owensboro is the home of the World's largest living sassafras tree. A simple marker tells the story.

[Laura, 07/22/2003]