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General Forestry => Tree, Plant and Wood I.D. => Topic started by: Dave Shepard on September 05, 2007, 10:02:34 AM

Title: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Dave Shepard on September 05, 2007, 10:02:34 AM
Anyone interested in a giant tree hunt? I think it would be fun to see some stately specimens of different species of trees. Yesterday I finally got a chance to put a tape on a big sycamore that lives in town near a McDonalds. It is 4 feet 8inches DBH. The tree has a huge crown, and is a real asset to the town, although I think it is so big most people dont even see it when driving through as the crown is so far up. I know there are others in my area that are bigger, but none that have such a big crown like this one. I will get pics soon. This is not strictly a biggest tree search, just looking for fine specimens. Who knows, we might even find some new champions when we are out hunting, that would be neat. If there is interest we could start threads for other species as well. Happy hunting!


Dave


Edit: I am consolidating the giant tree hunting into one thread, no need to have seperate threads for each species.
Title: Re: Tree hunting:The Giant Sycamore
Post by: WDH on September 05, 2007, 06:55:42 PM
I like it! 
Title: Re: Tree hunting:The Giant Sycamore
Post by: Daren on September 05, 2007, 07:49:16 PM
Very good idea, pictures would be better.  8)
Title: Re: Tree hunting:The Giant Sycamore
Post by: Radar67 on September 05, 2007, 09:53:03 PM
This ain't no where near the size mentioned below, but there are pictures....

This tree is in Seminary, MS. The dbh is close to 18 inches.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12911/STSycy2.jpg)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12911/STSycy1.jpg)

Stew
Title: Re: Tree hunting:The Giant Sycamore
Post by: Fla._Deadheader on September 05, 2007, 10:10:08 PM

I will probably never get back to NJ to get a photo, but, There is a Sickeymore right across from one of the pieces of ground we used to deer hunt on. The road is higher than the bottom of the tree, and, I'm certain that tree is over 6' dia DBH. That would be about 12 feet up from it's ground level. 

  Ed knows exactly where it's at, and we have talked about it several times. Never did look up to see how high it went.

  A TRUE Girant  8) 8) 8)  It's located by the Iron Bridge near Roseland. ???  I think that's the community. Been a while. ???
Title: Re: Tree hunting:The Giant Sycamore
Post by: metalspinner on September 05, 2007, 10:13:41 PM
I know where a big one is. ;)  It's an elm that if I remember right is almost 6' in diameter. Next time I'm on that side of town I will take a couple of pics.  We stepped off the crown spread once and it was about 100' (?).  The tree looks like the Swiss Family Robinson's should have a house up there. :D  Very beautiful.  He also has a large red oak.  My buddy is over 6' tall and his arm spread didn't reach across the tree. :o
Title: Re: Tree hunting:The Giant Sycamore
Post by: pigman on September 05, 2007, 10:25:19 PM
Stew, Your sycamore is the largest one I have seen.................................................









on this thread. 8) ;)
Title: Re: Tree hunting:The Giant Sycamore
Post by: Daren on September 05, 2007, 10:26:26 PM
Do cottonwoods count? There is one down the street that has to be 72" dbh (well head high, big butt swell) The biggest crown of any tree here in town, covers most 1/2 the city block. There are sycamores just about every street 36"+ dbh in the boulevards...good thing when they have to some down they come here to get 1/4 sawn ;D
Title: Re: Tree hunting:The Giant Sycamore
Post by: Radar67 on September 05, 2007, 10:45:09 PM
Yeah Bob, this thread seems to be going the same direction of those fishing stories we keep hearing.  :D :D :D

Stew
Title: Re: Tree hunting:The Giant Sycamore
Post by: Daren on September 05, 2007, 10:48:36 PM
I have 3 trees in my yard. I crabapple, a pine and a tulip poplar...I almost forgot how big it was. It has to be 40" dbh and 100' tall (the city water tower is in the back of my lot and is is 90', the tree is taller, I am 6'3" and broad shouldered for reference) Ok, enough of that, I will get a big sycamore picture. The are thick here, just not as big as Dave mentioned.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12216/poplar.JPG)
Title: Re: Tree hunting:The Giant Sycamore
Post by: Fla._Deadheader on September 07, 2007, 03:02:34 PM

The one I wrote about is near Rose MONT, not roseland. It is very near the Delaware River. I can give someone a phone number to call my buddy up there, and they can meet at the tree.

  Just because I don't have a photo, does not mean that tree does not exist.  :) :) :)
Title: Re: Tree hunting:The Giant Sycamore
Post by: treecyclers on September 08, 2007, 04:26:05 PM
Would an Alligator Juniper measuring at the base 18'5" meet the requirement?
unfortunately, no pix are available, as I milled that one up last year.
But, I do know of a cottonwood that's bigger across than my F350 is wide!
Superdave
Title: Re: Tree hunting:The Giant Sycamore
Post by: Dave Shepard on September 08, 2007, 04:37:20 PM
Daren, keep that saw away from that tree! :D

treecyclers, is that diameter or circumference? That's a darn big tree either way.

Tried to get a pic of one of the big sycamores, but I forgot the camera.  :( I am going to have to be quite a ways awat to get it all in frame.


Dave
Title: Re: Tree hunting:The Giant Sycamore
Post by: Lanier_Lurker on September 08, 2007, 05:41:22 PM
Anyone in the Macon, GA. area looking for something to do could go to downtown Macon and take pictures and measurements of the sycamore in front of the Presbyterian church.  It is the largest sycamore I have ever seen up close with my own eyeballs.
Title: Re: Tree hunting:The Giant Sycamore
Post by: swampy on September 08, 2007, 06:56:50 PM
padre is right on the GIANT sycamore in N.J. If I was to put it on ole homey and take a picture you would see nothing but tree. It would take 4 or5 guys to reach around those babies. A leaf from one would cover the screen of a 19" tv. :o :o :o :o :o :o :o
Title: Re: Tree hunting:The Giant Sycamore
Post by: treecyclers on September 09, 2007, 12:46:58 PM
Quote from: treecyclers on September 08, 2007, 04:26:05 PM
Would an Alligator Juniper measuring at the base 18'5" meet the requirement?
unfortunately, no pix are available, as I milled that one up last year.
But, I do know of a cottonwood that's bigger across than my F350 is wide!
Superdave

The 18'5" is circumference, making it about a 6' diameter.
The cottonwood is just stupid huge, it sits on a creek bed, and I think it would take me a week to take the whole thing down.
That said, I would prefer to leave it up, as it's majesty is incredible!
SD
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: SwampDonkey on October 18, 2007, 05:37:44 AM
So, how big you want'm (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=17352.0) Dave? ;D
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: treecyclers on October 23, 2007, 07:41:13 AM
"So, how big you want'm Dave?"

Hmmmm.....how big ya got? I'll cut DanG near any tree I can get my paws on, once to try it, twice if I like it, and a third time to make sure!

I never know what I'll find in them logs, and I have chainsaws large enough to slice up to 5' across!
I best go dust off that disston I just picked up if there's some honkers comin my way!
Who's got a honker for me?
Have chainsaw, will travel!
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: jim king on October 23, 2007, 03:17:43 PM
Does this count ¿?

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14293/Copia%20de%20Nice%20tree.jpg)
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Tom on October 23, 2007, 03:21:44 PM
Some kids could set up camp under that tree and be happy as a lark with vines growing from it.  They make great swings.  When we played Tarzan, we had to use ropes.   Playing under that tree would be so-o cool!

What kinds of vines are those?
what's the big tree?
What's the little straight white one on the right side of the big tree?

Man!  Walking those woods would be fun.
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: jim king on October 27, 2007, 12:39:50 PM
Tom:  The big tree is called "Muela de mono" or monkey tooth "Goupia glabra" and the vine is "Reynaquia" , a local name and I do not have the scientific name.  The little tree I have no idea.
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Tom on October 27, 2007, 02:11:44 PM
Thanks.  I was trying to compare the same vegetation to my swamp.  Vines that big here would usually be grape.
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: jim king on October 27, 2007, 03:53:56 PM
Tom:

Here are some vines we use for turning wood.  They have beautiful grain patterns.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14293/VINES.JPG)
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: SwampDonkey on October 27, 2007, 04:51:30 PM
Wow, imagine a vine with a diameter as wide as a pin cherry, but a lot taller.  :o
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: turningfool on October 29, 2007, 05:38:10 PM
wow! its hard to imagine vines that big :o
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Ianab on October 29, 2007, 06:44:41 PM
Quote from: turningfool on October 29, 2007, 05:38:10 PM
wow! its hard to imagine vines that big :o

We have a 'tree' here that starts out life as a vine. Grows high up in the tops of big Rimu trees and eventually sends a vine down to the ground.

(https://forestryforum.com/images/04_01_03/ianab_rimu-rata.jpg)

(https://forestryforum.com/images/04_01_03/ianab_p1010174.jpg)

Lil standing beside a large rata 'tree' The original host is completely gone, just the vines left.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10460/ianab_york_rd_06.jpg)

A whole rata tree.  Now Thats A VINE  ;D

(https://forestryforum.com/images/04_01_03/ianab_p1010172.jpg)

Cheers

Ian
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Dave Shepard on October 30, 2007, 12:21:52 AM
That is pretty wild. Is the host killed by the vine, or does it die of old age?


Dave
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Ianab on October 30, 2007, 01:24:04 AM
I think the host tree mainly dies of old age. It's a pretty long term thing, the rimu are 400-800 years old, then the rata takes over and lives for hundreds more.

Cheers

Ian
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: CALSAW on October 30, 2007, 01:23:08 PM
 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13946/DSC00732_1%7E0.JPG)
Here's a couple old relics on the Olympic peninsula of Washington state.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13946/DSC00734_1.JPG)
Rainforest giants.
These are western red cedar, thuja plicata.
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: beenthere on October 30, 2007, 02:48:49 PM
She doesn't look like a relic, to me at least... ;D

Spectacular trees.


Your pics don't need to be that small... :)
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Dave Shepard on October 30, 2007, 06:28:42 PM
Cool! That little sucker your leaning on in the top pic is an average sized tree out here. ::) ;D


Dave
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: CALSAW on October 30, 2007, 06:34:04 PM
 smiley_embarrased smiley_whip The trees.... I mean't the trees are old relics!
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: SwampDonkey on October 30, 2007, 06:35:33 PM
The bottom one is one of those 2- 7.5 meter diameter tape measurements. It was scary in under them, sometimes they were not all alive above. And I can tell ya, the hard hat won't help. It will be all over before your brain could register the pain. ;D

Speaking from my experience on the Charlottes here. And yup there was vines, salal. Not big enough for turning, but a mess all over the tree trunks and shrubs you have to trek through in some areas.
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: WDH on October 30, 2007, 07:39:09 PM
Wow, CalSaw :o.
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: CALSAW on October 31, 2007, 12:39:01 AM
 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13946/DSC00746_1.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13946/DSC00748_1.JPG)
This one was a couple of miles away from the two in my post above.
Stood by itself in a sea of young second growth.
These pictures are from my honeymoon in 2005, my wife likes trees! 8) 8)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13946/DSC00737_1.JPG)
My wife Christine, with a monster behind her.  :o
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: treecyclers on November 16, 2007, 08:31:10 PM
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13193/honkercottonwood.jpg)
Howzabowthisun?
The post to the right  of the tree is 4' tall, to give perspective....
This is the one I was talkin about!
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: CALSAW on November 16, 2007, 10:55:35 PM
What is it? And were? :o
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: treecyclers on November 17, 2007, 11:05:38 AM
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13193/honkercottonwood.jpg)
That beast is located in Skull Valley, AZ, about 20 miles west of Prescott, on a dirt road on the way to my buddy's house.
There's a second one that's almost as big, about 50 meters behind it.
I'm not sure that my largest saw could take it down, with that much girth.
The longest bar I have for my saws is 5'6", and I think that one is a might bigger than two passes with that bar.
Dave
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Brian Beauchamp on December 03, 2007, 12:34:18 AM
We have a big Sycamore on our place...86" dbh, ~90 feet tall and crown width is 130' at its widest point (average of 107.5')...I meant to get a pic of it for ya'll today, but I couldn't locate my camera.  :-\
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Jeff on December 03, 2007, 11:45:43 AM
I thought this might be a good place to recycle this photo I took of Stacy standing near the "Treaty oak". A live Oak in Jacksonville Florida that Tom took us to see several years ago.

(https://forestryforum.com/images/treatyoakstacy1.jpg)
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: mdvaden on December 03, 2007, 02:57:05 PM
Too bad they won't support themselves, but I'd sure like to submit the giant poison oak I found in the redwoods.

4" diameter trunk - over 120' high.

In fact, dropping in on this forum today, and writing about Oregon's champion Sitka Spruce that snapped in 1/2 yesterday, gave me an idea  8)

I'm going to start a Champion small shrubs and native plants registry for the West coast.

And start with that vine !! Why not. It's a whole new realm for people to begin hunting  ;D

EDIT...................

I kid you not - just started the submission guidelines. 4 regions for now. west, central, east, and Canada. Alaska and Hawaii are western.

When I'm done, I'll post the URL.

This will open up a whole entire broad range of champions.

I'll do this for a year, and it will work, or not.  :P

EDIT.....................

Okay, got it in place. But I have to stick to my own region to avoid being overwhelmed. Not with replies, but just the concept of a lot of plants I don't know.

So its basically PNW.

$50 gift certificate Contest included - winner chosen after one year.

http://turftotrees.com (http://www.turftotrees.com) has the thread: look for "Champion Shrubs" and "Contest".  ;D
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: HOOF-ER on December 20, 2007, 11:19:15 AM
Didn't believe it till I seen it. My uncle had a piece of property that had some bottom ground. He asked how big sassafras got. I said around a foot diameter.(They grow as scrub brush in fencerows here.) He proceded to take us out to the woods and show us an enormous tree. There was no doubt it was sassafras. My dad and I together came up about 2 ft short of reaching around it.
My uncle could not bring himself to cut it. Years later he sold the property and the first thing the new owner did was cut that tree and milled it into studs and rafters for a new home. (It did the whole house!) What a waste :'( :'(  How I wish I had pictures of that tree , it may have been a record.
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Dave Shepard on December 20, 2007, 04:37:39 PM
Wasn't sassafrass, in some form, shipped back to England by the colonists to make tea and other medicinals? Almost as important as the tobacco, if I remember right.


Dave
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: HOOF-ER on December 20, 2007, 05:13:01 PM
Sassafras is used as tea. I really like it. The bark off the roots are used. When I was a kid, dad would bring home a piece of root big enough for  the tea pot . We would boil the teapot full of water (make sure to wash the dirt out first) then steep the piece of root in it.  I believe that USDA has a warning that it may be carcinogenic. Guess we all have to die of something. Sorry I'm off topic.
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: SwampDonkey on December 20, 2007, 05:57:23 PM
Tree bark of eastern (northern) white cedar was steeped as a tea for scurvy. Thus, Arbor Vitae (tree of life) became a common name. There are a few old cedar left around, but they have been mostly cut. We have a lot of cedar stands in my area though. Some (very few) of the old cedar is 20" or larger and then there are a lot of old cedar that are barely 8" and 180+ years old.

I remember talking to one logger and if I said I saw a cedar 22" he'd say he just cut some 24". Same with about any tree, he was always cutting a bigger one. :D :D
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: HOOF-ER on December 20, 2007, 07:47:57 PM
Arbor vitae- I thought that it was mostly ornamental. Well around here it is only found in yards and such. Never really though about it being a cedar? I will see if a tree service turns one up , sounds fun to saw :)
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: SwampDonkey on December 20, 2007, 08:05:41 PM
Some cultivars are ornamental. Around the nurseries here they sell what they call globe cedar and pyramid cedar. Read the latin on the tag. Usually, Thuja orientalis, Oriental cedar, whereas eastern white is Thuja occidentalis
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: HOOF-ER on December 20, 2007, 08:31:51 PM
Always learning...thanks for the education. This is better than going to school. I have learned tremendous amounts already.

Has anyone else seen or heard of big sassafras. Just curious.
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Furby on December 27, 2007, 09:27:00 PM
Been meaning to check on a big Red Oak I know of in the park up the road from my parents place, just haven't gotten it done until today.
Loaded up one of the dogs and one of my kids sisters decided to tag along.
Turns out it's only 52" dbh and it's got a big scar up the side just like Turningfools 56"er.
Found a nice 34" Ash and a nice 34" White Oak as well.
It was getting dark so a lot of my pics didn't turn out, but I think I'll be back there soon. :)
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: turningfool on December 28, 2007, 11:18:25 AM
hey furb...i think when we go back in the spring to finish up with the 56 incher we should measure and take pics of the red oak in back of it..that one looks much girthier than ours
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Furby on December 31, 2007, 10:03:25 PM
Here's the 52" one I was talking about, used my pack for scale.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/100_3441.jpg)
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: sleepy on January 14, 2008, 11:30:59 AM
My wife and I were visiting Fort Pulaski Nat'l. Mon. in Savannah GA where we saw this Hudge Eastern Red Cedar.



(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/15831/IMG_3667.JPG)
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: metalspinner on January 14, 2008, 11:49:38 AM
Yeh,

That's a big 'un. 8)
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: SwampDonkey on January 14, 2008, 02:57:29 PM
Wow sleepy, that's gotta be an old bruiser for sure.  Would make some nice table slabs. :)
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Dave Shepard on March 20, 2008, 10:59:38 PM
I finally got a chance to get a picture, although not a great one, of the big sycamore. It is 4'8" DBH. I know of one much bigger, but it doesn't have the nice form that this one does. I don't think many people notice the giant they are driving under everyday. It is easily 60' to the first branch.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14240/sycamore.jpg)


Dave
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: SwampDonkey on March 21, 2008, 05:23:28 AM
You'd be surprised how many would notice that tree. It really sticks out and is practicaly on the shoulder of the road. I certainly notice yard trees as well as that big old pine over there on the far hill towering above the S maple, Y birch forest.  "Yeah Sam, come down Route 230 and make a left onto Prairie Ave by that big old Sycamore tree with the white blotches of bark in the top." ;D
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: WDH on March 22, 2008, 12:02:51 AM
She is a beaut!
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Dodgy Loner on March 24, 2008, 09:01:49 AM
Quote from: sleepy on January 14, 2008, 11:30:59 AM
My wife and I were visiting Fort Pulaski Nat'l. Mon. in Savannah GA where we saw this Hudge Eastern Red Cedar.



(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/15831/IMG_3667.JPG)

Sleepy- I think I have seen that tree before.  Matter of fact, I'm pretty sure I took a picture of it ;D.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/15533/becki.jpg)
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Tom on March 24, 2008, 12:21:42 PM
Is that a peach?
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Fla._Deadheader on March 24, 2008, 10:00:59 PM

She sure is  8) ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Dodgy Loner on March 24, 2008, 10:45:39 PM
She's a peach, alright ;D.  And y'all thought that was a cedar tree :D
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Furby on March 25, 2008, 03:45:26 PM
What cedar! ;)
Title: Re: Tree hunting:The Giant Sycamore
Post by: sgtmaconga on March 31, 2008, 12:40:32 AM
Quote from: Lanier_Lurker on September 08, 2007, 05:41:22 PM
Anyone in the Macon, GA. area looking for something to do could go to downtown Macon and take pictures and measurements of the sycamore in front of the Presbyterian church.  It is the largest sycamore I have ever seen up close with my own eyeballs.

Sorry for jumping into this one late. I think i have located the tree you are talking about. if the church you were looking at is at the corner of mulberry and 1st st. i'll get a mesure on it and a photo and post it soon. I have also found some very big ones on the campus of Mercer University. i have seen photos of these trees that date back to the start of the campus. as soon as i can i will get the photos and mesures for you all.
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Dave Shepard on March 31, 2008, 12:45:06 AM
I think I've got a better shot of my sycamore, but I haven't gotten it into the puter yet. Tried to get a snap of a 5 foot American Elm, but DanG near got runned over in the effort. Used to be a lot of 6-7 foot elm stumps around, and I've heard reports of 10 footers.


Dave
Title: Re: Tree hunting:The Giant Sycamore
Post by: sgtmaconga on March 31, 2008, 04:58:42 AM
Quote from: sgtmaconga on March 31, 2008, 12:40:32 AM
Quote from: Lanier_Lurker on September 08, 2007, 05:41:22 PM
Anyone in the Macon, GA. area looking for something to do could go to downtown Macon and take pictures and measurements of the sycamore in front of the Presbyterian church.  It is the largest sycamore I have ever seen up close with my own eyeballs.

your sycamore mesured out at 47.5" DBH and she is still looking good i will get the pics posted as soon as possible.
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Dave Shepard on March 31, 2008, 07:09:14 PM
Here is a better shot of the sycamore. It's tough to get pictures of the trees with all the other junk in the way.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14240/sycamore2.jpg)


Dave
Title: Re: Tree hunting:The Giant Sycamore
Post by: sgtmaconga on March 31, 2008, 07:51:57 PM
Quote from: sgtmaconga on March 31, 2008, 04:58:42 AM
Quote from: sgtmaconga on March 31, 2008, 12:40:32 AM
Quote from: Lanier_Lurker on September 08, 2007, 05:41:22 PM
Anyone in the Macon, GA. area looking for something to do could go to downtown Macon and take pictures and measurements of the sycamore in front of the Presbyterian church.  It is the largest sycamore I have ever seen up close with my own eyeballs.

your sycamore mesured out at 47.5" DBH and she is still looking good i will get the pics posted as soon as possible.


here are the photos of the macon sycamore
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14472/7a.JPG)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14472/7b.JPG)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14472/7c.JPG)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14472/7d.JPG)

This is a great tree and in a spot that could put it in harm later in it's life. it is right across the street from the county courthouse.




Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Texas Ranger on March 31, 2008, 08:57:51 PM
There is a group called Eastern Native Trees Society that I belong too, and they enjoy the big trees.  There is another spin off group some where out in the south west, don't know about that one.

  http://www.nativetreesociety.org/

Eastern Native Tree Society

The Eastern Native Tree Society (ENTS) is a cyberspace interest group devoted to the celebration of trees of the eastern North America through art, poetry, music, mythology, science, medicine, and wood crafts.

It is a monitored site.

OK, found the western site:  http://www.nativetreesociety.org/entstrees/index_wnts.html

Not anything going on there.
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: sgtmaconga on March 31, 2008, 09:17:56 PM
This tree is on the campus of Mercer University in Macon, Ga. the house is the Tift College Alumni house and is over 100 years old. the tree, and WDH can correct me if i mess this up, is a Southern Magnolia (For give the spelling) and had a DBH of 45" the tree looks good and has been protected real well.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14472/6a.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14472/6b.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14472/6c.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14472/6d.JPG)
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Lanier_Lurker on April 02, 2008, 10:05:20 AM
Once the full flush of leaves has popped out, I'll try to do a walk around the Georgia Capitol building and provide a picture essay to the Forum.  Since I work right across the street I should be able to get it done.  There are some wonderful large specimen trees on that block of property.

I also need to wait until all these DanG legislators have gone back home.  >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: Tree hunting:The Giant Sycamore
Post by: Lanier_Lurker on April 02, 2008, 10:10:29 AM
Quote from: sgtmaconga on March 31, 2008, 07:51:57 PM
Quote from: sgtmaconga on March 31, 2008, 04:58:42 AM
Quote from: sgtmaconga on March 31, 2008, 12:40:32 AM
Quote from: Lanier_Lurker on September 08, 2007, 05:41:22 PM
Anyone in the Macon, GA. area looking for something to do could go to downtown Macon and take pictures and measurements of the sycamore in front of the Presbyterian church.  It is the largest sycamore I have ever seen up close with my own eyeballs.

your sycamore mesured out at 47.5" DBH and she is still looking good i will get the pics posted as soon as possible.


here are the photos of the macon sycamore
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14472/7a.JPG)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14472/7b.JPG)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14472/7c.JPG)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14472/7d.JPG)

This is a great tree and in a spot that could put it in harm later in it's life. it is right across the street from the county courthouse.









Yep, that is the one.  I distinctly remember that it was off-perpendicular by 10 to 15 degrees and leaning out over the road.  I hope the old boy can hold out for a few more decades and become a true giant.

Thanks for getting us some pictures!
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: sgtmaconga on April 02, 2008, 12:21:31 PM
your welcome. i found a few more i will post as soon as i can get some good shots of them. a few of them are in photos when the university was built.
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Jeff on October 19, 2008, 10:27:44 PM
There are parts of my sisters's 40 acres that she had never seen due to the difficult terrain (swamp) on parts of it. The last two days I spent plotting some GPS locations and building some trails to get her back to the back. Its a half mile deep. Today she visited the high ridge on the back for the first time. Its actually right off the powerline that runs through my property.  I introduced her to one of her bigtooth aspen. :)There  are  some dandies back there.



(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/lyndas_aspen2.jpg)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/lyndas_aspen.jpg)

Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Tom on October 19, 2008, 10:46:10 PM
Wow!  What a tree!

Wow!  What a sister!  ;D
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: WDH on October 19, 2008, 11:00:39 PM
That was a very nice thing to do for your sister.
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: chep on November 12, 2008, 05:36:37 PM
-Sunday, I went on a recreational tree climbing expedition. Up here in the Adirondacks, right down the road from Paul Smiths College, is about 80 acres (I think) of old growth white pine. Me and my buddy used non invasive (no spikes) tree climbing techniques to ascend the tree. Standing on the root flare i measured it at 51 inches DBH. Upon reaching the highest safe point in the tree, approx ten feet from the main lead, we did a little math with our ropes and concluded that the tree was between 145 and 150 feet tall. As soon as I can I will upload some pics for you all.

- The past few mornings I have been sitting in a tree stand with a view of the same trees, their canopies emerging above the forest. Even though those wiley whitetails have fooled me lately, i have been hunting some amazing giant trees!
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Tom on November 12, 2008, 05:56:19 PM
That's great Chep.  I haven't climbed like that since I was an early teenager and still remember the thrill of sitting in the swaying top of a tall Australian Pine or sitting way out on a limb of a big Laurel Oak.

There are several members that have recently joined from your school, Paul Smiths College.  I've never heard of it before.  How about telling something about it? :)
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Lanier_Lurker on November 12, 2008, 10:38:06 PM
Chep, that tree sounds about the same size as the white pine Dodgy Loner and I saw in extreme northeast Georgia 3 weeks ago.  Sadly, it looked to be dying - perhaps of old age.

Maybe Dodgy can get by there and measure it before it is gone.  And shame on me for not getting some pictures of it while I was there.
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Dodgy Loner on November 13, 2008, 11:06:14 PM
LL, I'm sure that tree you showed me was at least 51 inches in diameter, but it was probably well under 150 tall since the top was in such decline.  I'll have to measure it if I'm in the area again (I usually don't make it that far off the beaten path, though).  The tallest tree known to exist in Georgia is a white pine here in Rabun County that has been measured by a climber at 179 feet.  It was estimated at 189 feet with a clinometer on the ground, but I find it very difficult to get an accurate reading with a clinometer once you start getting much above 120 feet.  Uneven ground and leaning trees makes it even more difficult.
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: SwampDonkey on November 14, 2008, 06:36:46 AM
Dodgy, those clinometers when takingn top and bottom shots need to be below 100 % when estimating heights. Seems at least, the percentage clino's loose accuracy. So you have to stand back further and you have to slope correct. If it's benchy ground you correct each segment at each ground break. ;D When we were measuring 200 plus sitka we were glad to be on mountain side. Once we worked on flat ground we had to estimate because we couldn't see the bottom in all the brush. :D :D Once in awhile we got ingenious and flared off a can of tree paint at the DBH line. :D Even when the sun is shining, it's dark in those big woods. But most days it was raining at least an inch an hour all day. ::) We had to rely on past experience and equate diameter with height  to be reasonably close. ;D
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: chep on November 19, 2008, 11:51:57 AM
hey I am having trouble posting pictures of my old growth climb... can somebody point me in the right direction. I tried starting a gallery and had very little luck, what format is accepted, and size? Very frustrated
sorry for being technologically challenged
thanks
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Radar67 on November 19, 2008, 12:33:00 PM
Check the photo posting tutorial here.

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/board,16.0.html

Welcome to the forum.
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: SwampDonkey on November 19, 2008, 12:34:50 PM
Radar gotcha covered.  ;D
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Mooseherder on November 19, 2008, 06:58:16 PM
This is a Red Oak on the corner of My BIL's lot in Mountain City, Tennessee.
Its a Biggun.  He said 17 feet around Breast height.



(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13635/Jerrys_Red_Oak.jpg)
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: SwampDonkey on November 19, 2008, 07:04:37 PM
Wow that is big. The last one I seen near that size was on the University grounds, it died back in 1987 I think. It was really big considering most hardwood on woodlots would be cut before getting even near that size and most wouldn't grow that big up here anyway.
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: tyb525 on November 19, 2008, 07:12:39 PM
I guess I should add a few. They aren't as big as some on here, but they are the biggest on my property.

Cottonwood (with my little brother in front). I forget the dbh, something like 6 feet.


(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/17472/cottonwood.jpg)

This is the biggest sycamore I know of on our property. I forget the dbh. It's huge around the base, before it splits.


(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/17472/big_sycamore3.jpg)

There's a tulip tree (yellow poplar) that's about as big of the cottonwood, I just don't have a picture.
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Mooseherder on November 19, 2008, 07:24:01 PM
Quote from: SwampDonkey on November 19, 2008, 07:04:37 PM
Wow that is big. The last one I seen near that size was on the University grounds, it died back in 1987 I think. It was really big considering most hardwood on woodlots would be cut before getting even near that size and most wouldn't grow that big up here anyway.

This is probably why it hasn't been cut along with some others that had been cut.  The others were stumps half the size when they were cut years ago.  This one was too close to somebody elses property line.    You can see the field fence next to it.



(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13635/Red_Oak_17_foot_breast_height.jpg)
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: chep on December 13, 2008, 05:40:47 PM
 

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/18183/bennet_%40_base.jpg)

This is my buddy Matt at the bottom of the white pine, 51 inches DBH
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: chep on December 13, 2008, 05:45:20 PM
 

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/18183/lookin_up.jpg)
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: chep on December 13, 2008, 05:46:22 PM
 

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/18183/looking_down.jpg)
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: chep on December 13, 2008, 05:47:58 PM
 

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/18183/emerging_into_the_emergent_layer.jpg)

the emergent layer, amazing
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: chep on December 13, 2008, 05:50:00 PM
 

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/18183/Neat_lichen.jpg)

neat lichen
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Mooseherder on December 13, 2008, 05:50:38 PM
Nice Chep,

Where are you at?
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: chep on December 13, 2008, 05:52:08 PM
 

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/18183/hi_mom.jpg)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/18183/bennet_near_top.jpg)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/18183/at_top.jpg)
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: chep on December 13, 2008, 05:54:15 PM
 

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/18183/topview.jpg)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/18183/view_from_the_top.jpg)

views from the top
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Dodgy Loner on December 13, 2008, 06:07:45 PM
Great pics, thanks for posting!  Ok, so we know the DBH, but what's the height?  An where is the tree ???
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: SwampDonkey on December 13, 2008, 06:30:02 PM
Looks like northern New York. Could even fit Northern New England. 

Watched a big old bald eagle today sitting in a white pine towering above the shore of the Meduxnekeag river. :)

The lichen looks like reindeer lichen we get on dry boreal burnt land, growing on the forest floor before the forest reclaims it by layering (black spruce).
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: blaze83 on December 13, 2008, 08:54:43 PM
chep...those are some really cool pictures.  looks like a great day in the woods

steve
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: chep on December 14, 2008, 05:05:07 PM
it was an excellent day. The tree was between 145-150 feet tall, we used our ropes to measure...if a third person had been there I would have like to drop a tape, but next time I guess,
the location is near Paul Smiths, NY (the northern adirondacks), the stand is supposedly about 60 acres, i think we were in one of the tallest trees. I have been told that the trees are around 300 years old, it is a really special place. The adirondacks are an amazing place in their own right, i cannot tell you how many little pockets of old growth I have stumbled across chasing the wiley whitetails around.  Hardwoods and softwoods alike, every time I go out in the wood here I find spots that I swear no has been in before, I guess thats why I am growing so fond of the ADK... I am graduating in the spring and am not sure what I am going to do. I have 2 associates degrees, the first is urban tree managment, the second is the forest technician degree, and on top I have a BA in Forestry  with a concentration in Vegetation Management. Anyone want to give me an awesome job?
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: chep on December 14, 2008, 05:06:04 PM
p.s. that lichen was growing the whole way up the tree, every branch was totally encrusted with different forms. pretty neat
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: thompsontimber on January 06, 2009, 06:22:53 PM
Is there a good place to find listings of state record trees and such?  I've ran across some that I wondered if they might be the record.  We cut two awesome trees in Chesnee, SC a while back...the first was a 72" diameter Sycamore that was growing right in town but was well hidden growing beside an old YMCA pool that had been long since abandoned.   A CVS now stands on the spot.  We also cut an 87" White oak...loaded a truck with 7 logs from the tree (2 butt cuts and the rest out of forks). after the second cut, the tree forked, and there was a large crotch that wasn't merchantable.  Now the lap stands in a driveway, and I have fogotten what the diameter after the 2 cuts was, but it is still massive.  People that see it now and ask about it have a hard time believing that two logs were cut beneath that point, but I was there and can vouche for it.  Anyways, I also know where a very large honeylocust and persimmon stand in the same yard...haven't measured them but I know they are the biggest I've ever seen. 
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: WDH on January 06, 2009, 06:38:54 PM
http://www.clemson.edu/champtree/SouthCarolinaChampionTree.htm

Here is the champion list for SC.  The champion white oak is 76" in diameter and 110' tall.
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: thompsontimber on January 07, 2009, 09:40:21 AM
Thanks for the link!  Look forward to browsing that info...We white oak we cut measured 87" in diameter at the stump, not a DBH, though it basically had no taper to the forks.  However, we failed to ever measure the height.  It was sure a massive tree though, with a huge speading crown.  No one locally would buy the logs because they were too big...ending up selling them to Durham Hardwood in Pickens.  The tree was in a pasture on the property at the Burr's Trading Post in Chesnee.  We cut it in 2002, and I'm betting the stump is still there as I don't know of him doing any stumping following the timber harvest. My dad has a pic of it somewhere taken with an old cam that spits out the pic when u take it. My bother and I are standing atop the tree after it was felled as we are propped on the chainsaw.  Will try to get my hands on it and scan it. 
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: WDH on January 07, 2009, 10:59:43 AM
You might have cut a champion :).
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: SwampDonkey on January 07, 2009, 12:54:25 PM
You could probably use taper equations if they are based on treelength and not breast height diameter. Another option I've done to get breast height diameter, was to measure stumps and breast heights on neighboring trees of the species and site and find R2 regression with MS Excel. As your trees get bigger the gap between stump and breast height diameter increases. From what I found on good sites a maple, beech, birch will have 1-3/16" difference for a 4" BH tree, and 5.5" difference for a 20" BH tree. If you follow that through, an 87" will have a 23-15/16" difference, so a guestimate would be around 63 inches. Now that has no significance maybe for your site down there and species. But, I'll bet it's ball park. Big trees buttress a bit more than small ones.
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Dave Shepard on January 07, 2009, 05:53:49 PM
Our white oak tends to be very buttressey. Hows that for a made up word? :D
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: thompsontimber on January 07, 2009, 06:08:33 PM
Well this particular tree didn't have much butt flare and I'm pretty confident it didn't conform to the trends you have found in your area, as I believe it would have been larger than 63" DBH...but alas the tree is gone now, so I'll never be able to measure and know...I'd love to see how accurate you were though, might be on the money.  What I can do is measure the diameter of the lap that is now standing in a driveway.  We cut one 16'4" log and one 12'4" best I can recall before the fork.  I'll confirm it with the other guys who were there, as it was all the way back in 2002.  I'll try to get a pic of that lap to post on here too, along with the diameter.  Possible we cut a champion tree, which I hate as there was no change in land use and we could probably have persuaded the landowner to keep it if he realized what he had. 
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Left Coast Chris on January 08, 2009, 11:18:54 PM
 

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13292/MaylynnInStumpRedwoodOptimized.JPG)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13292/Maylynn3RedwoodsOptimized.JPG)

A stroll thorugh avenue of the giants.  With my tiny, tiny wife.
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: SwampDonkey on January 09, 2009, 06:29:07 AM
Was that where they filmed a scene in "North By North West" with Cary Grant? A Hitchcock movie of the 60's. Nice place to be.  :)
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Left Coast Chris on January 09, 2009, 10:50:38 PM
Not sure SD.  You are predating my movie knowledge........ ;D........but it is just south of the town of Weott on Hwy 101.   I could stay there all summer......... but not sure about the winter.  It's really drippy and foggy.... perfect for plant life.
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: thompsontimber on January 22, 2009, 06:42:45 PM
Ok, here is an update on that monster white oak we cut back in 2002.  I spoke with all 4 of the other witnesses independently and was surprised to find that they all had a very vivid memory of the tree and its dimensions as we measured them that day.  Seems I had the worst memory of the bunch. I stated that we cut a 16'4" and a 12'4" log from the main stem, but the others are certain that we cut a 14'4" and a 12'4".  The other logs were cut from the various forks beyond that point, and the lap is now standing in a driveway. I finally got by to take a picture of it today, and of course the camera batteries were dead.  I will get that pic though, and I'm trying to track down the picture taken when the tree was cut down.  I did take the time to measure the diameter of the lap today though, and it measured 61" at approx. 27 feet off the ground.  I couldn't recall height and spread measurements, but the others did and consistently recalled a measured height on the ground of approx. 125' and a crown spread of 95'.  As stated before, the stump measurement was 87".  Hope to get those pics up soon, it was certainly an impressive tree.   
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: SwampDonkey on January 22, 2009, 07:08:30 PM
With a tree that tall, it wouldn't taper as fast as ones that fit my model. Our hardwood top out at about 80 feet on the very best sites, 68 on average and 40 on dry rocky ridges before going "boreal" or scrub because of elevation. Impressive tree.
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Dave Shepard on January 22, 2009, 08:41:35 PM
Wow! Sounds like a giant to me. 8)
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: The-Burl-Hunter on January 29, 2009, 08:07:00 PM
I know that I should get pics because it doesn't do me any justice but right across the street from me their is a huge cottonwood tree that is "bonded" with another, very nice tree(s) i'll try to get pics on asap ;D
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Dodgy Loner on March 02, 2009, 05:07:02 PM
My girlfriend braved the cold rain with me this weekend to hike a mile into the woods to measure a giant hemlock tree that I found a year ago.  The whole area was filled with old-growth hemlocks, actually, but the one we were measuring was the largest of the bunch.  I found it devastated by the hemlock woolly adelgid, hanging to life by a thread.  It will probably put on some new growth this spring, but the sap will be sucked up by the adelgids soon after.  I suspect this will be the last year in the life of this 400-600 year-old giant.

Here are the measurements:
Circumference: 172" (more than 4.5' in diameter)
Height: 162'
Average crown spread: 44'

Here are a couple pics:
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/15533/Ancient_hemlock.jpg)

All of these hemlocks were 150'+.  The big one is on the right.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/15533/Tall_hemlocks.jpg)
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: SwampDonkey on March 02, 2009, 05:29:47 PM
We've got a couple old smashers here that size in girth, but maybe 120 feet. Taller than the hardwood by a fair bit.  I never measured their height. The crowns on the ones I see come down into the forest canopy further. But they aren't being eaten up by aphids either. Is that rhododendron all over? ;D Cool woods Dodgy.  :)

It can't be that cold down there with just a hoody on. :D
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: WDH on March 02, 2009, 09:39:52 PM
That is a beautiful tree.  It does not look like it will make it.
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: SwampDonkey on March 03, 2009, 05:40:48 AM
Yeah hemlock is a tree I like to see in a stand of wood, even if it's low value on the pay scale. Even though aesthetics and wildlife occupancy doesn't often pay the bills for most of us, there is still value of a sort.  :)
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Lanier_Lurker on March 03, 2009, 06:26:57 AM
Quote from: Dodgy Loner on March 02, 2009, 05:07:02 PM
Here are the measurements:
Circumference: 172" (more than 4.5' in diameter)
Height: 162'
Average crown spread: 44'

Is that an even taller white pine next to it?
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Dodgy Loner on March 03, 2009, 08:15:58 AM
Donk: Yep, those woods are covered in rhododendrons.  Puts on quite a show in May and June.

LL: All the conifers you can see in that picture are hemlocks.  If any of them appear taller than the one I measured, it's just because of perspective.  The big one is a good 10' taller than the others.
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Tom on March 03, 2009, 04:30:48 PM
I have it on good authority that Leprechauns live in those Rhododendron infested woods  Be very careful about letting your girlfriend get too far away from you.  They will steal her, adorn her with gold and diamonds and she'll never come back.
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: SwampDonkey on March 03, 2009, 05:14:00 PM
I think they already grabbed her Tom. Either that or she wouldn't give up the camera. :D
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: WDH on March 03, 2009, 05:52:58 PM
DanG Dodgy, don't lose that girl to the Leprechauns!  Tie a rope on her :D.
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: fbelknap on March 03, 2009, 09:49:40 PM
There is a sycamore near Webster Springs in WV that is suppose to be the largest one in the world.  It is now dieing and has become somewhat of a hazard.  I have visited this tree several time over the last 50 years and it ounce was a magnificent tree.  Here is a link if you would like to read about it.http://www.nativetreesociety.org/fieldtrips/west_virginia/webster/webster_springs.htm

Fred
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: WDH on March 03, 2009, 11:40:29 PM
Whoa!  I would love to visit that tree.
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: Dodgy Loner on March 04, 2009, 09:24:19 AM
I told Casie about Tom's comment last night.  She assumed you brought up the leprechauns because she is short and redheaded ;D.  She didn't know I hadn't put any pictures of her up here! :D

fbelknap: I've heard of the sycamore before, but that's the first time I've seen pictures of it.  I bet it was quite a sight to behold in its heyday!
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: backwoods sawyer on January 21, 2010, 11:53:03 PM
 

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/17725/1949/The_tree_up_close.JPG)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/17725/1949/water_shed_tree.JPG)
These are a couple of Myrtlewood specimens. I milled the 6' one on top and am looking at milling the 4 1/2 ' one on the bottom, they are by no means the largest in the area.
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: celliott on January 22, 2010, 08:38:18 AM
There is a few old pines a mile or two away from the house, they blew down a few years ago, but there is one trunk still standing.  I am happy my dad took me out to see these 3 massive trees when I was younger, and got to see them standing.  I am making a guess, but I would say 3+ feet dbh.  There is also an old sugarbush nearby, with some very large old maples.  Its nice out today, I think I will put on the snowshoes, and hike out in the woods to measure them, and get some pics.
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: celliott on January 22, 2010, 01:19:09 PM
 

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20145/2656/DSCF0105.JPG)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20145/2656/DSCF0110.JPG)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20145/2656/DSCF0113.JPG)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20145/2656/DSCF0118.JPG)




The hike out was great, a nice cold winter day.  These trees stood along an old carriage road, which was used to supply a woollen mill at a nearby river in the late 1700's.  They are by far the oldest and biggest trees around.  A windstorm claimed them a few years ago, leaving 2 trunks standing, while someone tried to cut down the third.  After it was cut down, (which appeared to be quite the job) it was left.  Probably for a lack of a proper saw and equipment.  I measured the stump on the cut tree, and it was nearly 5 feet across.  To measure the other 2 trunks with my spencer tape, I had to wedge the tape under a piece of bark and walk around.  The two standing trunks each measured 60"DBH.  The largest trees I have seen.  for comparison, I am about 6'3, 180 lbs, and that snowshoe is about 3 feet long.  I can"t even imagine the lumber in one of these trees.  Sorry, couldnt get the whole trunk shots to fit in the uploader, and I'm not sure these pictures do the trees justice.  Enjoy.
Chris
Title: Re: Giant Tree hunting
Post by: backwoods sawyer on January 23, 2010, 01:09:00 AM
 
This old gray doug fir tree is dying and will be coming down soon.


(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/17725/1949/old_gray_doug_1.JPG)
The four trees on the right are old and gray, the tree on the left is a quarter there age and is green and growing steadly.


(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/17725/1949/old_gray_doug_3.JPG)