If you’re searching for some of Ohio’s most impressive old-growth trees, look no further than Highbanks Metro Park near Lewis Center. This 1,204-acre sanctuary harbors living monuments that have stood for centuries, offering visitors a rare glimpse into Ohio’s pre-settlement forests.
The Crown Jewels: Two 500-Year-Old Sycamores
The park’s most celebrated residents are two massive American sycamore trees, each boasting a trunk circumference of 23–24 feet. These ancient giants have witnessed five centuries of history — from pre-Columbian Indigenous settlements through European colonization to today’s suburban expansion.
Standing beneath their sprawling canopies is a humbling experience that connects you directly to Ohio’s ecological heritage.
These sycamores thrive along the Olentangy River corridor, where rich soils and consistent moisture have allowed them to reach exceptional proportions. Their distinctive white bark and enormous trunks make them easy to spot, particularly along the Sycamore Trail in the park’s River Bluff area.
A Forest of Mature Giants
Beyond the celebrity sycamores, Highbanks shelters numerous mature trees approximately 150 years old. The park’s diverse old-growth population includes:
- Towering white oaks
- Sugar maples
- Shagbark hickories
- American beech trees
Many of these specimens would qualify as notable trees in their own right, contributing to the park’s designation as a National Natural Landmark in 1980.
The Edward F. Hutchins State Nature Preserve, a protected 206-acre section within the park, safeguards this mix of old-growth and mature forest. Steep ravines and shale bluffs created natural barriers that shielded these trees from logging during Ohio’s timber boom of the 1800s.
Ohio Champion Tree Program Connection
While Highbanks’ sycamores may not hold official state champion status, they reflect the type of remarkable trees recognized by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources through the Ohio Champion Tree Program.
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Highbanks Metro Park is an essential starting point.
The Ohio Champion Tree Program — active since 1940 — uses a point system based on trunk circumference, height, and crown spread. Delaware County is home to several recognized champions, and nearby parks such as Alum Creek State Park feature state-listed giants, including a massive Eastern Cottonwood.
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While Highbanks may not currently list official champions, its 500-year-old sycamores rival many titled specimens in size and ecological significance.
Why Lewis Center?
Lewis Center’s location in Delaware County places it at the intersection of fertile glacial soils and protected natural corridors. The Olentangy River watershed provides the stable environmental conditions necessary for trees to reach extreme ages and sizes.
Despite suburban expansion in Central Ohio, Highbanks remains a preserved ecological island — one where centuries-old trees continue their slow, steady growth.
Planning Your Visit
Address: 9466 Columbus Pike (US Route 23 North), Lewis Center, OH 43035
Hours:
- April–September: 6:30 AM – 10 PM
- October–March: 6:30 AM – 8 PM
Admission: Free
Best trails for tree viewing:
- Sycamore Trail (0.9 miles) – Riverside forest with sycamore, buckeye, and cottonwood
- Overlook Trail (2.3 miles) – Mature forest within the nature preserve
- Dripping Rock Trail (2.5 miles) – Forested ravines with diverse species
Visit in spring for fresh canopy growth or in fall when maples and oaks ignite in brilliant color.
Conservation Matters
These ancient trees face modern threats:
- Climate change
- Invasive pests
- Soil compaction from heavy foot traffic
- Development pressure
By staying on designated trails and following Leave No Trace principles, visitors help ensure these giants survive another century — or five.
The Perspective of 500 Years
Imagine standing beneath a tree that sprouted around 1525.
These sycamores have filtered untold gallons of water, absorbed massive amounts of carbon, sheltered wildlife for generations, and survived floods, droughts, and storms. They are living classrooms — tangible proof of ecological resilience.
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Highbanks Metro Park offers one of Central Ohio’s most accessible and awe-inspiring encounters with living history.
