Queens Giant
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The Queens Giant (also known as the Alley Pond Giant or Alley Pond Park Giant) is an old Tulip Poplar located near Alley Pond Park in the borough of Queens, New York City. It is the tallest carefully measured tree in New York City. It is also probably the oldest living thing in the New York metropolitan area. As of 2005, the tree measures 133.8 feet (40.8 meters) tall and is probably 350-400 (and possibly as much as 450) years old.
The Queens Giant is situated near the Long Island Expressway, hidden amongst a tree grove. The tree is just visible to westbound vehicles on the Long Island Expressway, but without going to the tree itself, the chances of knowing where to look are very small. The tree is near the Douglaston Plaza Mall, and is accessible by foot from Alley Pond Park. There are no signs to it, partly because many people want to keep it a secret and protect it from harm. One way to see it is with an Urban Park Ranger tour.
There have been rumors about it for years; its existence was only verified around 2000. A tree in Staten Island, known as the Clove Lake Colossus, has rivalled the Queens Giant for a long time. The Clove Lake Colossus has a more massive trunk, but it is only 36 m (119 feet) tall. The Queens Giant is surrounded by a metal fence on all sides to protect it. There is also a sign describing the tree. The tree is partially protected because there is a hill in front of it that shelters it.
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