The Simsbury Duck Race finally splashes back onto the Drake Hill Flower Bridge on Friday, May 22, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. After a two year hiatus, thousands of rubber athletes will bob down the Farmington River to support Tootin' Hills Elementary, and watching them squeeze through the finish line funnel is surprisingly suspenseful. Grab a Racer Duck online for $5 to compete for prizes like a $330 Goonies Lego set or Ski Sundown passes, then stick around for the carnival games, food vendors, and inflatables. It’s the perfect mix of high stakes racing and low key community fun, provided the river current is on your side.

Just south of Simsbury Center, where Route 185 crosses the Farmington River, stands a living giant that many residents pass without realizing its significance. The Pinchot Sycamore, an American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), is officially recognized as the largest tree in Connecticut.

American sycamores are among the largest hardwood trees in North America. They grow quickly, live for centuries, and thrive in moist soils along rivers and floodplains, making the Farmington River’s banks an ideal home for a tree of this scale.

When documented in 2016 by the Connecticut Botanical Society, the Pinchot Sycamore measured more than 28 feet around, stood about 100 feet tall, and spread an astonishing 121 feet across its canopy. More recent measurements, taken in 2025, put the trunk at roughly 30 feet in circumference (about 110.8 inches in diameter), showing that the tree has continued to grow. Experts estimate it to be at least 200 years old, and possibly over 300.

You can recognize an American sycamore by its distinctive mottled “camouflage” bark: patches of white, gray, and tan that peel to reveal lighter wood beneath, along with massive maple like leaves and a broad, spreading crown.

The tree is named for Gifford Pinchot, Simsbury native and influential conservationist who became the first Chief of the U.S. Forest Service and later served two terms as Governor of Pennsylvania. The sycamore was originally dedicated in his honor in 1965.

Beyond its size, the tree plays an important ecological role. Sycamores help stabilize riverbanks, provide shade that cools the water for fish, and offer habitat for birds and other wildlife, a fitting legacy for a tree named after a pioneer of American conservation.

Today, the Pinchot Sycamore anchors Pinchot Sycamore Tree Park, a small riverside green space that’s also a popular spot to launch kayaks and canoes, picnic, or simply stand beneath one of the most impressive trees in New England. Since 1997, the town has illuminated the tree at night, making it an especially striking sight after dark.

If you’re kayaking the Farmington, walking nearby trails, or driving Route 185, it’s worth pulling over and looking up.

📜Did You Know?
A guitar was once crafted from a fallen bough of the Pinchot Sycamore and auctioned to benefit the Farmington River Watershed Association.

🔍Valley Trivia
In the early 2000s, the Pinchot Sycamore was slated to be listed among the two largest American sycamore trees in the United States. Which state was home to the tree it was tied with?

A) Ohio
B) North Carolina
C) Maryland
D) Virginia

Find out the answer in next week’s issue!

Here’s what’s on deck this week around the Valley — mark your calendars!

Look for icons to find your crowd: 🎈 kid-friendly • 👤 adult • 🌞 all ages

Clear your weekend plans and maybe a shelf or two. The Friends of the Farmington Libraries are hosting their annual book sale starting this Thursday, May 14. If you’re the type who needs first dibs, hit the Thursday presale for a $10 admission, otherwise, the real pro move is showing up Saturday between 2:30 and 4 PM to fill an entire bag for just $10. It’s easily the smartest way to stock your library without emptying your wallet.

Library Events

Discover what’s happening at your local library. Registration may be required—check with each library for full details and other events.