Native Tree Society BBS

NTS,

I thought I’d share a preliminary report on this site because it shows tremendous potential for diversity of tree species, overall forest age, and of course, tree size. Due to the main gorge trails being temporarily closed, I made all measurements from the parking lot. The cacophony of nearby jackhammers made the experience delightful.

Topographically, the area I’m referencing is a steep hillside (south-facing, I believe) at the mouth of a gorge. Hickories (Red & Shagbark) are dominant here, along with White Oak. The shelter provided by the high gorge walls give the feeling of a southern cove forest.

Anyways, here’s what I found today:

White Pine

143.4’
127.7’

Tuliptree

140.2’
132.6’

American Basswood

130.1’

Red Hickory

130.0’
115.6’

American Sycamore

121.0’

White Oak

119.2’

Eastern Hemlock

118.3’

Northern Red Oak

117.8’

Shagbark Hickory

116.0’

White Ash

111.9’

Black Oak

111.2’

Rucker 10: 124+

Elijah

You got all of that just from the parking lot?! I thought that park looked interesting from aerial images but wasn't expecting that! Seems like a definite 130+ RHI10 potential site. Awesome first report!

Thanks Erik. Mounted on a stable surface, the Trupulse performs incredibly well at a distance. As long as you can clearly make out tops and bottoms of the same trees, you’re good to go. I don’t know what the rest of the park looks like tree-wise, but this is a good start. Supposedly, Red Pine grows at the top of the gorge, similar to Letchworth. We’ll see.

Elijah

NTS, Erik,

I made a second trip to Treman this weekend, looking to measure a few more trees I didn't have time for. The sign at the entrance to the closed gorge trail stated that it's not expected to re-open until the end of May, so I don't think I'll return until then. This area next to the parking lot may be the best for tall trees anyway, though there's no way to tell until I see the remainder of the park.

Additional trees measured:

White Oak

123.1'

Bitternut Hickory

122.4'

Bigtooth Aspen

116.0'

Black Walnut

110.4'

Elijah Whitcomb

NTS,

I returned to Robert Treman SP this afternoon, and was able to finish the survey I started a while back. While I didn’t find any life-changing lunkers, I was rewarded with a wonderfully diverse collection of trees, shrubs, and flowers within the gorge.

As with other similar Finger Lakes gorges, oaks (White, Black, and Chestnut) and hickories (Red and Pignut) dominate the upper rims. Tuliptrees, Hemlocks, White Pines, Shagbark Hickories, and Red and Sugar Maples are common on the steep slopes. The gorge bottom is loaded with Sycamores, Black and Yellow Birch, and to a lesser extent, White Ash. Red Oak and Basswood are found at every level of the ecosystem.

The wet, cool walls of the gorge provide shelter for Hornbeam, Witch hazel, Striped and Mountain Maple, and Maple Leaf Viburnum. Aside from the abundant trilliums, Mayapples, and Blue Cohosh, I couldn’t tell you what herbs and wildflowers I saw, but there’s quite a few. I really should have brought my guidebook with me.

Back to the trees. Here’s what I measured today:

*NY Height Maximum

Eastern White Pine

148.3’ x 9.4’
144.8’ x 8.55’

American Sycamore

140.3’ x 5.63’

Eastern Hemlock

134.6’ x 7.44’

White Ash

131.6’ x 7.19’
131.1’ x 7.93’

Bitternut Hickory

129.8’ x 5.45’

Cucumber Magnolia

127.1’ x 8.4’*

Eastern Cottonwood

121.0’ x 5.85’

Black Cherry

118.3’ x 5.91’

Chestnut Oak

114.2’ x 6.99’

Black Birch

100.1’

Current Rucker Average: 133.5’

Eastern White Pine: 148.3’
American Sycamore: 140.3’
Tuliptree: 140.2’
Eastern Hemlock: 134.6’
White Ash: 131.6’
American Basswood: 130.1’
Red Hickory: 130.0’
Bitternut Hickory: 129.8’
Cucumber Magnolia: 127.1’
White Oak: 123.1’

A couple of notes: Some trees (especially the Bitternut) are taller than listed, due to the difficulty I had in seeing tree tops in the closed canopy; also, many of the larger hemlocks have been tagged and treated for the HWA, which are present in the area.

I was able to count the growth rings on a fallen and cut up White Pine that seemed contemporary with those I measured, and arrived at approximately 160. That age seems appropriate for the majority of the oldest trees in the park, though many are obviously much younger, and a few are probably somewhat older.

Some photos of the park: Elijah

Elijah,

Do you have a convenient list of NY sites by Rucker index? I'm losing track of where all the hot sites are. If we could clone you and Erik, we'd know every great site within a year. You guys are unstoppable.

Bob

Bob,

I’ll see what I can put together in a separate thread. I’m sure I’ll leave a few out, but Erik would know the rest.

Elijah

Elijah,
You found a very rich site with excellent topography. It has a serious herb layer and some impressive height to girth ratios. This winter, you'll likely find a few state records.