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 -- still standing.
[Stephen Francia, 05/06/2020]
It's no longer as tall, but still pretty impressive!
[Mary McAlevy, 08/21/2012]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]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]Owensboro is the home of the World's largest living sassafras tree. A simple marker tells the story.
[Laura, 07/22/2003]Nearby Offbeat Places



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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.