Common Name: white oak
Scientific Name: Quercus alba
Category: Historic tree
Comments: This oak is one of the original survey trees along the Lord Fairfax Line - one of only a very few markers remaining. The Lord Fairfax survey established the boundaries of a five million acre land grant bestowed upon loyal followers by King Charles II in 1649. In 1746, a team of about 40 "gentlemen commissioners", surveyors, & packers set out to mark the line connecting the headwaters of the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers. They received supplies for the trip as they rested by the Shenandoah River in the Page Valley. For the next several weeks, they climbed several steep mountain chains and deep valleys, fought off hunger, thirst, & the loss of horses to the rough terrain. We know from a journal recorded by Thomas Lewis, one of the four surveyors, that they only encountered the occasional frontier homestead along the way. From Sept. 25 - Nov. 13, 1746, they traveled 160 miles (76 miles out & 76 miles back plus tie lines). The survey party was so accurate despite the use of chains
Nominator: Chris Anderson - Page Co. Tree Board
This tree is not on public or publicly accessible property. The owner's name, address, and the exact location of the tree are not displayed to protect the privacy of these individuals. If you are the owner and wish to make this information public, please let us know.
County/City: Page