This poem features photos taken of a majestic American sycamore tree, which is found at Walnut Woods Metro Park.  The tree is likely over a hundred years old.  The location is part of an extensive network of nature parks in the central Ohio area around Columbus and Franklin County.  These photos were taken during a series of walks that I’ve made over the past few years.

Far older than every one of the neighboring trees

Standing taller than many, all take notice and see

 

The prized King of Walnut Woods reigns today

Calling him Mister Sycamore, his subjects say

 

With branches elevating up towards the sky

Measuring his girth, takes many hands to try

Visitors pause to salute nature’s monarch

Standing in reverence as park’s landmark

 

The Woods change from season to season

Watching over all, is the King’s main reason

 

He holds on to his leaves longer in fall

Guarding the land in winter, always tall

 

His leaves take some time to fill out in spring

Providing ample shade in summer is his thing

 

His expansive canopy of branches spreads wide

Peeling off sections of bark, creates whitish sides

 

His heir, the Prince, waiting in the wings

Rising lean and tall by a creek, he sings

 Farther away, a thick grove of younger ones wait

Dreaming who will grow to be the tallest, so great

 

Mister Sycamore loves many Bible stories

Lifting Jesus up in total and brilliant glory

 

The story of Zacchaeus climbing a Sycamore tree

Being much too short for Jesus to find, there he be

Ohio’s biggest recorded tree is an American sycamore found in Ashland County near Jeromesville.  The tree is at least 200 years old, stands 88 feet tall, and measures 326 inches around its circumference. 

Originally published September, 2019.