Discover the Tallest Tree in Arizona – A Towering 102-Foot Goliath

Arizona is full of massive things, including its namesake, the Grand Canyon. But looking past the canyon, we can see many more giants in Arizona’s striking landscape. From the famous saguaro cactus to the piglike rodent javelinas, the state wows with the sheer vastness and size of it all. What about the tallness of it all? We looked for information on the largest tree in Arizona and found it – come check out Arizona’s tallest tree.

Arizona’s Largest Tree

The largest tree in Arizona is a Fremont cottonwood ((Populus fremontii), and it stands an incredible 102 feet tall. It is important to note that another tree in the state surpasses this one in height, but not in girth. We’ll list some other giant trees in a later section!

This Fremont cottonwood’s trunk has a circumference of over 46 feet, and this combined with its impressive height actually makes it not just the largest tree of any kind in Arizona, but also the largest of its species anywhere. In fact, the next largest of its species is only 79 feet tall with a girth of about 25 feet. That cottonwood grows near Fruita, Utah, and is a popular picnic spot for travelers and locals alike.

But Arizona’s cottonwood greatly dwarfs this tree. With a crown spread of 160 feet, this goliath isn’t just tall, doesn’t just have a thick trunk, but its massive leafy branches stretch several feet in every direction.

How Old is the Tree?

Planted in 1917, the cottonwood is over 100 years old today. That means it lived through two World Wars, Prohibition, the Great Depression, women’s suffrage, and many more large historical events. Do you know anyone who is over 100 years old? Perhaps this is why many people express a desire to be a tree or see the life of one – they stand strong and quiet, observing history as it passes.

Where is Arizona’s Largest Tree?

The Fremont cottonwood is located in Skull Valley, Arizona in Yavapei County, the 7th largest county in Arizona by square mileage.

Visiting Arizona’s Largest Tree

The tree stands right off the side of Old Road N, just north of the town of Skull Valley. You can reach it from Prescott by traveling west on Iron Springs Road until you reach Skull Valley. Once in Skull Valley, you’re only a two-minute drive from where it grows. Coming from the south, it is only 23 miles from the town of Yarnell. Take Highway 89 north to a left turn on Kirkland Valley Road. Follow the road to a right turn on County Road 10 until you hit Skull Valley.

There is no official park or stopping place to see the cottonwood, but visitors can pull off on the side of the road to catch a glimpse of its monstrous size and maybe even take a picture!

Arizona’s Magnificent Trees Program

Arizona is proud of its varied collection of beautiful trees, to the point of beginning a program highlighting those trees. The Arizona Magnificent Trees Program is a Department of Forestry and Fire Management program, and it seeks to elevate the natural wonder of trees in Arizona. It encourages Arizona citizens to connect with nature and recognize the importance of trees, and there is a yearly nomination for trees across the state that may qualify for this honor.

Trees qualify for the state register based on three separate categories – champion, heritage, and witness trees. A champion tree is the largest of its species in the state, or sometimes the entire nation. A heritage tree is a tree that carries cultural or historical significance, such as trees planted to commemorate people or events or trees given as gifts to communities. A witness tree is a tree that stood before Arizona’s statehood.

The register adds winning trees to an interactive map on the Department of Forestry’s website so that people can learn about and visit them.

The National Register of Champion Trees

561 trees currently make their name on the National Register of Champion Trees, a program created by American Forests. This register is one aspect of the work American Forests does to fight climate change, encourage social equity, and protect trees and animals. It’s also a program that relies on the public – most of the trees on the register made it there by user contribution. This sends a really cool message: you have a voice and you can help. Participation is one of the first aspects of change, and you can do it on a small level. Sometimes helping is as simple as telling everyone about a massive tree you saw.

Visit the American Forests website, a great resource for learning more about conservation engagement.

Other Giant Trees in Arizona

The Fremont cottonwood isn’t the only massive tree in Arizona. Here are a couple of others that top the list!

Wildlife in Yavapei County

Yavapei County is full of wildlife, and you have the chance to encounter some of it while exploring the area. Many rare and endangered species live in Yavapei County, such as the California condor, and this alone makes the county a worthwhile visit for many people. We’ve included a short list of some of the species that live in the area.

• Bison (B. bison)
• Black Bear (Ursus americanus)
• California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus)
• Chukar (Alectoris chukar)
• Coyote (Canis latrans)
• Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii)
• Elk (Cervus canadensis)
• Javelina (Tayassu tajacu)
• Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus)
• Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis)
• Tiger Trout (Salmo trutta × Salvelinus fontinalis)
• White-tail Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

Other Attractions in Yavapei County

Don’t just stop in Yavapei County for the humungous tree. There’s a plethora of exciting things to do while visiting the area.

Food:

• Essence Kitchen + Bar, a restaurant in the town of Chino Valley, Arizona, ethically and locally sources most of its fare. It also carries a wide variety of craft and local beverages. The restaurant works closely with its community to provide resources and opportunities to local high schools and colleges. The owners also contribute their cooking experience to volunteer events in the city, including the Veteran’s Potluck.
• Big A Farm to Table in Prescott, Arizona is a Farm to Fork restaurant that works closely with ten local farms and businesses to provide their menu. The owners believe in sustainability and community, and they work to put that forth in every dish.

National and State Parks and Forests:

• Prescott National Forest is a must-see for visitors to the region. Boasting over 950 miles of scenic trails and more than 100 acres of wilderness, there’s something for every lover of the outdoors in this beautiful forest. Visitors can hike, fish, camp, and explore the natural region. It is also home to a wide array of wildlife, including the rare peregrine falcon.
• Jerome State Historic Park is a state park surrounding a ghost town. Visitors get a picture of life at the turn of the century, from the Douglas Mansion to the surrounding vistas near Cleopatra Hill.
• Montezuma Castle National Monument is another great place to visit, especially if you like to explore the historical aspects of a region. Explore pre-Columbian culture and gaze upon protected cave dwellings and celebrate the long-past Sinagua people.

Where is Yavapei County Located on a Map?

Yavapai County is neatly tucked away near the center of the state of Arizona. According to the 2020 census, the county’s population was recorded at 236,209, ranking it as the fourth-most populous county in Arizona.

Here is Yavapei County on a map:

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Paul R. Jones/Shutterstock.com