CLAYTON — Hidden deep within 1,860 acres of land stands a champion of trees — measuring in at 140-feet tall and 19-feet round.

Towering over its neighbors with a 102-foot canopy spread, a Cherrybark oak tree was added to the ranks of Louisiana’s Big Tree List — becoming Concordia Parish’s first champion tree.

Native or naturalized trees eligible for the list are graded on a point system that uses circumference, height and average crown spread.

The American Forests maintains a list of national champions, and the Louisiana Forestry Association verifies state champions.

The tree is located on the Rota Quinta Plantation in Clayton, which is owned by Murray Biedenharn of Monroe.

Having purchased the property for farming and recreation in 1940, Biedenharn said it wasn’t until 15 years ago that he stumbled upon the tree wandering through the woods.

“I just said ‘That’s a big tree,’ but I didn’t realize how big it was until I walked over and started looking at it,” Biedenharn said. “I could see the top of the tree because it stood out among all the others, but when you walk up to it, it’s much bigger.”

When Biedenharn first came upon the Cherrybark, the circumference measured 16 feet, and he said it was more of a family novelty — until he began to notice its continual growth.

“I would take my kids out there, and we would take pictures around it,” Biedenharn said. “I went back sometime after that and noticed it had grown another foot, so I called a forester and told him he had to come look at the tree.”

Tom Manuel, a consulting forester, measured, recorded and submitted the tree’s dimensions to be nominated for the list.

Trees are calculated and given a total point number based on the trunk circumference plus the height plus one-fourth the average crown spread.

The tree gained a total of 397 points — making it one of the largest trees on the list.

“When Tom (Manuel) finished his measurements, I wrote down the score, and I had my picture taken in front of the tree with the score on a piece of paper,” Biedenharn said. “I was very excited, because I had kept up with this tree for about 15 years.”

A tree must be re-measured at least every 10 years to maintain its champion status, and Biedenharn said he thinks the tree will remain on the list for a while.

“We’ve been told it’s in good health, which is rare for such a big tree,” Biedenharn said. “Hopefully it’s going be there for quite some time.”