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Looking for a National Tree

Started by Ron Scott, January 13, 2001, 10:11:44 AM

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Ron Scott

Believe it or not, America lacks a National Tree. It even has a National flower, the rose, but no National Tree. The National Arbor Day Foundation has taken the lead in the process of selecting that tree. Cast your vote at their website http://www.arborday.org
~Ron

Ron Wenrich

From what I heard on the radio, there are going to be big pitches for the redwoods and the American chestnut.
Never under estimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

Ron Scott

I suppose. At least the American Chestnut represents the east. How about that Pennsylvania black cherry??
~Ron

Gordon

A national tree now that is a toughie! I've been sitting here thinking about it for a good ten minutes and still can't choose just one. Each tree has it's own---well good and bad points. Do we want a tree for it's size only found on the west coast or do we want a tree that is more widespread through out the U.S.A.? Do we want a softwood or a hardwood?---I'll have to sleep on this one before I can make my mind up! What about a Holly? Na, the leaves hurt to bad when you step on them with bare feet.

Like it or not I believe that the redwood will be the winner. But I can't make up my mind as to what tree I want.
Gordon

Ron Wenrich

I've been trying to think of what would be a good national tree.  The chestnut has the sentiment of being a stately tree that man destroyed.

From a historic aspect, white pines were used to build most of early America, except for down south.  Even the English used the white pine for spar poles on their sailing ships.

How about white oak.  Not only is it a good wiskey keg, but, I believe they used them on early ships.  Majestic in stature.  Built out of oak.  Maybe a national symbol there.

Doug fir provides a lot of fiber for the more modern age.  After the East was all cut over, they moved west.  Besides, there are a lot of Christmas trees that are Doug fir.

Bristlecone pine is the oldest living tree on the planet.  Not as big as redwood, but older.

Redwood is the not the largest tree, but the sequoia is.  Redwood would be an environmental signal.  Instead of saving the redwoods, they would be saving the national tree.  More powerful.

A lot of early furniture was made from hard maple, cherry and walnut.  The woods are beautiful, but I'm not so sure they would make it to the tree list.  Although, you do get maple syrup from the maple tree.

Never under estimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

Jeff

Well, I went to the arborday site an voted with a write in. Apple Tree!

You can eat the fruit, you can use the wood to smoke meat. It is beautiful in spring, you can start one growing sometimes by simply discarding an apple core, there are many varieties with different color, size and flavor. Sour and sweet. Kinda like the make up of our country. They are hardy and you find them almost anywhere.

And oh yea, we have the story of Jonnie Apple Seed.
Just call me the midget doctor.
Forestry Forum Founder and Chief Cook and Bottle Washer.

Commercial circle sawmill sawyer in a past life for 25yrs.
Ezekiel 22:30

Forester Frank

Apple tree was a good one that I had not thought of. I voted for the old, mighty, oak. Redwood is dead wood. Who wants a national tree that only grows in a small region of the country? Sure you can drive throught it, or live in it for a year like Luna Knucklehead, but I like something with a little more range.

I also like American Elm, but it doesn't take a genious to figure out why that one is a loser.

Let's not quibble. Jack pine is good enough for me.
Forester Frank

Ron Scott

DOGWOOD, MAPLE, OAK, PINE, AND REDWOOD. These are the top five vote-getters to date in alphabetical order of the vote for America's National Tree which is hosted by the National Arbor Day Foundation. Voting continues through midnight April 26, 2001. The people's choice will be announced on National Arbor Day, April 27, 2001. School children are encouraged to participate.  
~Ron

marty

I voted for the oak. There's just something about the oak. I guess the way it stands kinda like majestic. What I really found out cool about the oak when the loggers cut my woods is how a huge oak can stand up by itself when the inside are nearly gone. Other trees would break off and fall over.
                             marty;D

Forester Frank

I voted for oak for the same reasons, plus it is such a long lived species (with exceptions of course).8)
Forester Frank

Jeff

I do have a sneaking feeling it will turn out to be redwood. I even have said " I hope I get to see the redwoods before I die"  I still vote for Apple tree.

                             .
                         .OO
                       .OOOO
                      .OOOO'
                      OOOO'          .-~~~~-.
                      OOO'          /   (o)(o)
              .OOOOOO `O .OOOOOOO. /      .. |
          .OOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOO/\    \____/
        .OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO/ \\   ,\_/
       .OOOOOOO%%OOOOOOOOOOOOO(#/\     /.
      .OOOOOO%%%OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO\ \\  \/OO.
     .OOOOO%%%%OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO\   \/OOOO.
     OOOOO%%%%OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO\_\/\OOOOO
     OOOOO%%%OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO\###)OOOO
     OOOOOO%%OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
     OOOOOOO%OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
     `OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO'
   .-~~\OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO'
  / _/  `\(#\OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO'
 / / \  / `~~\OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO'
|/'  `\//  \\ \OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO'
       `-.__\_,\OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO'
      jgs  `OO\#)OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO'
             `OOOOOOOOO''OOOOOOOOO'
               `""""""'  `""""""'

Just call me the midget doctor.
Forestry Forum Founder and Chief Cook and Bottle Washer.

Commercial circle sawmill sawyer in a past life for 25yrs.
Ezekiel 22:30

Forester Frank

Jeff:

You must have more time on your hands than I do!8)
Forester Frank

Jeff

You must learn two important words grasshopper:

CUT AND PASTE
Just call me the midget doctor.
Forestry Forum Founder and Chief Cook and Bottle Washer.

Commercial circle sawmill sawyer in a past life for 25yrs.
Ezekiel 22:30

marty

I can't cut mama caught me running with the scissors and I ate all the paste. What's a fellow to do???????????     8)   marty

Gordon

This has turned out to be much harder than casting my vote last fall. I've narrowed it down to the oak or the maple. So in my earlier post that I would have to think about it for a few minutes was an understatement to say the least.::)

Gordon

Jeff

Hey folks, you can go over to The Michigan Forest Resource Alliance and practice vote. Their poll will run until the National poll is over.

Gordon that way you can vote twice!
Just call me the midget doctor.
Forestry Forum Founder and Chief Cook and Bottle Washer.

Commercial circle sawmill sawyer in a past life for 25yrs.
Ezekiel 22:30

Gordon

I went and cast a practice vote--for the red oak. I've got alot of both red and white oak in my woods. Very beautiful trees. But the national tree is still up in the air for me. One thing to practice another to cast the real deal.

The thing is each tree has it's own strong points so it's hard to pick just one.

Gordon

Jeff

I still press my case for my write in candidate, the apple tree. Did you all read my post why? It's universal. I know,that you know, where there is a favorite apple tree, one with exceptional fruit, and beautiful blossoms. A tree that you seek out each, or every other year for a specific purpose.

What other tree does this? Maybe a nut tree, but it lacks the beauty of the blossom. You gain personal knowledge oof your own apple trees. With each pruining and spraying, you learn its structure, it's health, attention it got, attention it needs.

Do you know these things about any single oak tree? Maple Tree?
Apple sauce, apple butter, apple pie, apple this, apple that. Amazing.
Just call me the midget doctor.
Forestry Forum Founder and Chief Cook and Bottle Washer.

Commercial circle sawmill sawyer in a past life for 25yrs.
Ezekiel 22:30

Gordon

Ok here goes, I've chewed on red oak not very tasty and white oak is even worse. But it's the sheer structure of the tree that holds it's appeal. Watching the critters behind the house gathering up the acorns for winter. Walking in the woods and looking down to see an acorn taking root to a new generation of tree. The way they drop their leaves come winter. The red drops all at once and the white holds on and on and on to it's leaves.

This part may be alittle long winded about the maple but once again here goes. I had the advantage growing up to move around the U.S.. My father worked for a large construction company and when the job was done we would move to the next job often times states away. So I had the advantage of seeing alot of different forest types on the eastern half of the US.. I've lived it CT., NH., MI., IL., PA., VA., MD.,and now DE.

I was born it Conn. and my parents had a small farm in NH that we used to go to on the weekends. So in the spring time guess what we did--------tap the sugar maples------and from that we made maple syrup sure does take alot to make alittle syrup. Tap the tree hang the bucket with the metal cover. Nothing fancy like today with the suction systems running from tree to tree.

Any one from the northeast can vouch for the maple sugar candy, as I write this my mouth waters for some. Made in all different shapes, so sweet so good.

So we can't rule out maple syrup and maple sugar canday. Never had maple pie!
Gordon

swampwhiteoak

If redwood wins then I will renounce my citizenship. ;)  How can a tree that only grows in 2 states (and not much of those two) be our national tree?

Apple tree?  No way I would want some european import to be my national tree.

I voted for oak, it grows across the country.  White oak happens to be my favorite.

Is redbud still listed?  What a joke.  

Jeff

Hey Swamp Welcome!

Are there no Native Apple trees? I had no idea.
Just call me the midget doctor.
Forestry Forum Founder and Chief Cook and Bottle Washer.

Commercial circle sawmill sawyer in a past life for 25yrs.
Ezekiel 22:30

Bill Johnson

Swamp is correct, I was curious so I checked it out in my Silvics of Forest Trees of the United States.
There are no apple trees listed...I would suggest that this makes it an import.
It's amazing the stuff I learn from this board. :D

Bill
Bill

Roy

The national tree has to be the maple for numerous reasons! It was a source of 3 foodstuffs for the Native Americans.  The best place to get maple is the United States.  America's true game - basketball - uses maple for the floors, as well as other sports.  It is used for many types of cabinets, tools, furniture, flooring, staircases, toys (baseball bats), veneer etc.  The variations in the wood are incredible: sapwood/white, heartwood/brown, birdseye/white & brown, curly/white & brown, etc.  It is a beautiful tree year 'round.  When in color, it is the prettiest tree in the world, bar none.  Count the categories: food, colorful tree, wood variation, products.  If you had to pick a best friend that resembled a tree, you would want one as versatile, beautiful, and friendly as maple.  That is my story and I'm sticking to it.  Roy  
Roy

Jeff

Welcome Roy!

All good points.. er... except... Did you say...Gulp.. BASKETBALL?? I hope you mean NCAA.
Just call me the midget doctor.
Forestry Forum Founder and Chief Cook and Bottle Washer.

Commercial circle sawmill sawyer in a past life for 25yrs.
Ezekiel 22:30

swampwhiteoak

Indeed Malus sylvestris (I think that's right ;)) is a european tree.  There may be some native crabapples but most of those are imports as well.  

I would accept maple as my national tree but I wouldn't like it.  I like sugar maple because of its multiple uses but I loathe the red maple.

Basketball is my favorite game as well (NCAA of course) but I spent most of my playing days "on the pine"

Don P




Testing the new upload and attach image feature.
Giving clues as to my vote. :D

Ron Wenrich

Don:

Are you voting for rock oak? :D

Roy:

Much of what you say about maple could also be said about black walnut or cherry, with the exception of the sports thing.
Never under estimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

Roy


Thanks for the reply Don, but . . .

Maple represents middle (class) America(ns), the teeming, huddled masses yearning for syrup.  The Black Walnut is too exlusive and not embraced with the same warmth and commonality.  Does it give us its lifeblood, what 3 foodstuffs does it offer up?  Cherry cannot be considered, although a worthy tree, simply because George could not tell a lie.  So, thankfully, we are back to maple.  Don't you agree, Don?
Roy

Don P

Maples cool...but you guys are still cold... We call the tree on the right something other than rock oak, have heard it also go by tanbark oak. My vote is on the left. Mast, feed, food, high value timber... ::)

Jeff

Just call me the midget doctor.
Forestry Forum Founder and Chief Cook and Bottle Washer.

Commercial circle sawmill sawyer in a past life for 25yrs.
Ezekiel 22:30

Ron Wenrich

Tree on the right appears to be chestnut oak, which we call rock oak.  Mainly call it that because it is usually the only tree growing in the rock outcrops.  

Never heard it called tanbark oak.

Tree on the left is all be extinct.  It used to be the primary species in my area, and there are still some whips around.  They recently found 2 large ones in back yards of some older homes nearby.  They will be used as breeder stock.
Never under estimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

Gordon

The blight all but knocked them out. That is the American tree, on the left. A couple of large ones? Wow. You could probably fill up a chest of nuts. Do you guys and gals want me to give it's complete name. I guess what I've said so far speaks for itself.

As for the leaf on the right. I've narrowed it down to a couple of choices. Still working on that one.
Gordon

Don P

 :D
Congratulations!
 To visit these whips of trees 50 years gone, still trying, you have to admire the perseverence of nature. They usually make it to bearing age for a few years, the bark cracks, the blight moves in. I've seen 4 bearing in my lifetime...one is going to make the right nut one day. As a national tree our pride would be wrapped up in making that day sooner rather than later.
Chestnut Oak is also called Tanoak because the tannic acid content of the bark is very high,the tanneries preferred its bark. It is also the only leaky white oak...unsuitable for whiskey or wine barrels. The cells are unsealed, the wood acts like a red oak in cooperage. It also has a reputation as a durable wood and many old sills are made from it.

Ron Wenrich

There now is a breeding program where they are trying to get the resistance gene from the Chinese chestnut, and the characteristics of the American.  

It starts with a 50% mix.  After 12-14 years, these trees are nut bearing, and ready for another split.  The next one is 75% American.  The goal is to have 92% American characteristics.  They need only one more generation to produce these nuts.

The whips in my area are much older than 50 years.  The blight came through in the 1910-20 area.  From my undestanding, it finished off the last chestnuts in Tennessee in the '50s, and I heard of natural stands in the IP of Michigan.  

I have seen several nut bearing trees in the woods.  During logging, we would always mark away from these.  The biggest was 14" dbh.

I was doing power line vegetation studies in western PA about 10 years ago.  The forester for the electric company showed me a power line put into a particleboard plant.  They bent the line around a 20" chestnut tree, so as to save it.  Too bad the logger cut it when he found it, which no one could prove.  Something like shooting one of the last passenger pigeons.
Never under estimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

Don P

I think one nutbearer that I saw succumbed to poaching also.
This is a link to the American Chestnut Foundation

http://chestnut.acf.org/
They do not have a resistant tree offered at this time. But do have OEM seed and seedlings for those out of the blights range.
There are several mature big boys at the arboretum at UW in Madison. Several seeds fell in my pocket as I wandered around them but no success sprouting.

I've wondered about replanting them here even when the new strain is released. The blight is so well entrenched I wonder if introducing it to the new tree strain wouldn't just result in a better blight.

Hugh Darty

There's no doubt what the national tree should be, but you guys probably don't know because it only grows  from coastal Virginia down the coastline around the gulf to eastern Texas, mayby 150 miles inland. It was so useful that England proclaimed them the property of the Crown before the revolution and even had them branded. Later on many of the factories of the north were built out of them. Most all of the old growth was cut out by 1930. Today we are salvaging the old timbers and recycling them into flooring.
 Anybody have an idea what tree I'm talking about?
Hugh

swampwhiteoak

With the range I would guess longleaf pine

I think the english also claimed the eastern white pine in NE to be property of the crown.

Don P

Hmm, "Old Ironsides" sent them packing. Choices...

Roy



Rumor has it Betsy Ross modeled Old Glory after the maple tree.
Roy

Hugh Darty

Hugh

Roy

I cannot tell a lie . . . The maple should be our national tree.
Roy

Don P

We've overlooked the tree that won the prarie, Bodark. Each settler was told to pack a pail of its seed for their future fences. Native Americans used Bois D'arc as wood for bows. Can't say I could vote for anything that hurts that bad but it deserves a nomination. :)

Gordon

The mighty oak should be the nations tree! :)
That is my final decision.
Maple was my second choice.
Gordon

Don P

I was looking up rock,chestnut,tanbark...oak,and found this site. Good info on tree species and names.


http://www2.fpl.fs.fed.us/TechSheets/techmenu.html

Jeff

After finding out that apple is not a native species to the U.S. I feel I wasted my vote. But I can, however change my it here!

I am still looking over all of your personal testimonials to help make my personal choice.

Being a sawyer, I do have sawing preferences. I like black cherry and red oak for beauty. I like pine and cedar for aroma.My least favorite is Ash. It is always dusty. The more you think about this choice the harder it is to make!
Just call me the midget doctor.
Forestry Forum Founder and Chief Cook and Bottle Washer.

Commercial circle sawmill sawyer in a past life for 25yrs.
Ezekiel 22:30

Gordon

Jeff I don't think that your vote was wasted. If that was the tree you feel should be the national tree than so be it. It's the U.S.A. and everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

Now to the bottom line. The redoak is sure a good second choice. ;) But once again thats my personal opinion. Oak first then maple close behind. The more you think about picking just one tree the harder it gets. It took me about a month to decide. Then again I'm alittle slow. ;D
Gordon

Ron Wenrich

If you like aroma, try black birch and sassafras.  Tulip poplar often has a sweet smell as well, almost like perfume.

If you want dusty while sawing my vote is for black locust.  The dust also irritates the lungs.

Walnut is another beauty for sawing.  I also like the looks of elm.
Never under estimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

Ron Scott

The following are still in the lead so far, by alphabetical order:
DOGWOOD
MAPLE
OAK
PINE
REDWOOD
Make sure that your wishes are known as this important National symbol is selected. Vote now at
http://www.arborday.org
~Ron

Gordon

I just got this e-mail from the National Arbor Day Foundation:

The Vote for America's National Tree has put the following five trees in the lead so far -- (in alphabetical order) Dogwood, Maple, Oak, Pine and Redwood.

We're glad that you have voted and made your wishes known in the selection of this important national symbol. If you have friends who might be interested in voting, you can send the voting link to them via e-mail. Just visithttp://www.arborday.org/efriend and use the automated message to help your friends find the voting site.

Or go here http://www.arborday.org.

So boys and girls if you still have not voted don't delay time is running out.

Gordon


Jeff



The Winner Is...
Oak[/size]

Voting Results
  
Tree Number of Votes
Oak  101,146
Redwood  80,841
Dogwood  47,351
Maple  45,111
Pine  23,806
Palm  15,519
Redbud  13,551
Magnolia  11,862
Elm  9,893
Tuliptree  9,567
Buckeye  9,058
Cottonwood (Poplar)  6,710
Douglasfir  6,415
Birch  6,245
Pecan (Hickory)  6,243
Spruce  5,986
Holly 5,848
Kukui  5,559
Baldcypress 3,071
Hemlock  2,812
Paloverde  1,114
Other Writeins  26,920
TOTAL 444,628
[/b]
Just call me the midget doctor.
Forestry Forum Founder and Chief Cook and Bottle Washer.

Commercial circle sawmill sawyer in a past life for 25yrs.
Ezekiel 22:30

Ron Scott

Oak voters really came out over the Redwood. The designation as a National Tree for the United States now requires legislation passed by Congress. This is now an independent action beyond the voters choice.
~Ron

Gordon

HOOOOOORRRRAAAAYYY,, I picked a winner. Now if I could do that at the horse track I'd be sitting pretty. :D

Ron is correct only the start of a long road for the actual, end result.

The Palm is number six on the vote list and to be quite honest it never crossed my mind to vote for it. All in where you live I guess.

Gordon

RavioliKid

Hooray for oak!

 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)

RavioliKid

L. Wakefield

GOOOLLLEEE- I have to wonder at cottonwood getting that high on the list- who knew? Do you think there was a conspiracy of over 6000 members to sneak it in there, or is it thought of affectionately in some places other than wherever I have been? ::)
L. Wakefield, owner and operator of the beastly truck Heretik, that refuses to stay between the lines when parking

RavioliKid

Do you suppose it got in there because of the actions of the Tammy film club?

<cue the music>
I hear the cottonwoods
Whisperin' above...
T-a-a-m-m-y,
T-a-a-m-m-y,
Tammy's in love!
</cue the music>

 :D
RavioliKid

swampwhiteoak

I pretty happy about not having to renounce my citizenship.  Go Oak! 8) 8)        
All the tree huggers in northern California are probably upset.  And that is just terrible  ;D

RavioliKid

I suppose I shouldn't be so lazy - the information is probably just a few mouse clicks away - but, is there a particular variety of oak that was selected as the national tree? Or, just oak, in general!

Just curious...

RavioliKid

Kevin

Give California the pussies willow . :D

RavioliKid

You got something against pussy willows?  >:(

I've got a vase of them rooting in the other room - and I'm thousands of miles from California!

 ;D
RavioliKid

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