Jackson, Elijah and Micah Hackbart explore the downed cottonwood tree. The record-breaking tree was struck by lightning during the week of June 17.

Jeff Hajny

    When a tree falls in the woods, it is a very common occurrence to which no one gives much thought. Recently, though, a tree fell and it is causing quite the stir.
     During the week of June 17, the world's largest Northern Cottonwood split down the middle and fell. This cottonwood happened to be in a property outside of Milford.
     The cottonwood was declared a national champion in 2001. It was figured to be between 150 and 200 years old at the time it fell.
     The tree had a circumference of 441 inches, a height of 85 feet, and a crown spread of 108 feet.
     In the fall during a storm, a bolt of lightning struck the tree and split it at the base. The base split over time until it fell.
     "Our son Jackson was out mowing the lawn and he was the one that saw it. We saw it split in the middle and figured it would stay standing because it was so big," Susan Hackbart, owner of the property, said, "When we saw it had fallen, we were amazed. It may still be alive, though. The leaves are still green so there might still be some roots that are attached."