Near the busy intersection of Auburn and Livernois in Rochester Hills is a massive tree. A sign nearby reads: “Michigan Champion Bebb Oak — Our Bebb Oak is over 200 years old and may be the largest in America!”
Intrigued by this sign, we contacted Rochester Hills Museum Manager Pat McKay for some facts and figures.
Bebb oak trees are a naturally occurring hybrid of two different oak species — white oak and bur oak. Hybrid trees are no longer eligible for the National Register of Champion Trees, but back when they were, the last Bebb oak to be declared America’s largest scored 270 on the ratings scale. Due to its size, the one in Rochester Hills would score 319 to take the top spot.
We can confidently call it the state’s largest Bebb oak, according to the 2025 Michigan Big Tree Register, which measured it at a girth of 245 inches, a height of 78 feet, and a crown spread of 122 feet.
The acorn that produced the Michigan champion Bebb oak germinated as early as 1650. The tree itself may have sprouted as long as 250 years ago, making it slightly older than this country.
Once, it was part of a massive oak forest. The first pioneers came to the area in 1817 to cut down trees, but they spared this one. So did Albert Terry, who used to live in the nearby brick house at 1110 Auburn Road. Terry was Avon Township supervisor from 1862 to 1876, and the Bebb oak was located on his farm. Later, both Auburn and Livernois roads were built around the tree.
Over time, the weight of Livernois and the nearby sidewalk cost it about half of its roots. Today, amid the suburban sprawl, the tree remains firmly where it was planted, still living and breathing.
This story originally appeared in the April 2025 issue of Hour Detroit magazine. To read more, pick up a copy of Hour Detroit at a local retail outlet. Our digital edition will be available on April 7.
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