Most Climbed Tree in
the World is in Kent?

n 1937 the newspaper feature
 Ripley’s Believe It or Not dubbed the
 title “Most Climbed Tree in the World” 
to a majestic cucumber magnolia tree right
here in Kent.

How the tree got its reputation was the result
of the Davey Tree Expert Company’s training program for future tree surgeons. From 1920
until 1937, every man who reported for Davey
duty scaled its heights at least four times, which was an extremely difficult climb—having no limbs for its lower 35 feet.

In the early years, the constant shinnying rubbed off much of the cucumber tree’s bark and the health of the tree suffered. But with rest, expert care and an ample supply of “Davey Tree Food,” the tree recovered to accommodate many other aspiring tree doctors.

Today, the same stately spire stands watch over the intersection of West Main and Mantua streets, on the grounds of Kent’s First Church of Christ.