Native Tree Society BBS

NTS, Yesterday (3/5) I spent several hours combing over the best spots for big trees I’m aware of in the Middle and Lower Falls areas of Letchworth. I was also able to get down close to the river to remeasure the tallest Sycamore. I have two exciting pieces of news to share: Letchworth now has NY’s ...

Brian, I hadn’t considered the possibility of Biltmore Ash instead of Green Ash. I didn’t get up close to the tree I measured to look at the bark and twigs carefully. It had the overall form I’m used to seeing with Green Ash and was growing in or adjacent to a wet area. Unfortunately I didn’t take a...

Mario,

That’s a great video. Giant Sequoia can grow well in upstate NY, though I seldom see it planted. The largest I’ve seen is just over 100’ tall and 10’ CBH. I don’t know for sure, but I believe it’s 70 or 80 years old.

Well done, and thanks for sharing,

Elijah

NTS, The main instrument I use for measuring tree heights is a Laser Technology, Inc. Trupulse 200X. It's a fine piece of equipment: reliable, accurate, and rugged; however, occasionally (actually often) I drop it several feet, knock it against trees and/or rocks, and generally abuse it. The 200X ha...

Brian, As regards Virginia tree heights, I agree. That Ragged Mountain is the pinnacle of Virginia tree sites is highly unlikely; if I still lived in the area, I would focus on areas south and probably west of Charlottesville. James Madison’s Montpelier also has a 170’-class Tuliptree and a 150’-cla...

NTS, Yesterday I wrapped up my latest survey of the five Irondequoit Bay parks. With the exception of an American Basswood in Ellison Park, all trees comprising the Rucker Indices of each park were measured in 2020. I also misidentified a Shagbark Hickory as a Bitternut Hickory in Ellison Park previ...

Brian,

Sweet find. Did you see the report I wrote on Ragged Mountain Reservoir in VA? It has two 150’+ Red Oaks, the taller one 156.0’. I had assumed the species got into the 160s, but I guess I was wrong. The VA tree I think is also around 100 years old and has an apical growth form.

Elijah

Kouta, I don’t know why the daily digest isn’t working for you. I receive one every day, provided someone has posted something. I don’t know see how being from Europe would make any difference in how the BBS functions. I’ll send you a private message with a couple of contacts who may be able to help...

NTS, Last month I returned to Durand Eastman and remeasured several trees. The Rucker Index is still a little shy of 130’, but it’s getting closer. Here are my measurements: *NY maximum height Black Oak Quercus velutina 128.8’ Red Maple Acer rubrum 128.0’ American Beech Fagus grandifolia 126.1’* Bla...

Ryan, Don’t get too down on yourself. You’re doing the right thing by repeating your measurements and noting differences in equipment performance. I’ve gone through the same process myself and shared some of my results on the BBS. To get a better handle on the accuracy of your hypsometer and/or lase...