Poplar Forest Tuliptree climb photos
- Will Blozan
- Posts: 1153
- Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2010 7:13 pm
Poplar Forest Tuliptree climb photos
NTS,
I just thought I'd send a few shots of the tuliptree climb completed this spring at Poplar Forest, Thomas Jefferson's plantation http://www.poplarforest.org/visit. This tree scaled a total wood volume of ~1,100 cubic feet; 463 ft3 in the main trunk, 574 ft3 in the limbs, and 64 ft3 in the 124 branches I sampled. The climb took me six hours- made extra hard by a network of steel cables crossing the crown everywhere- thwarting efficient movement. Unfortunately, although well intended to reduce failure, these static cables will likely lead to premature failure of the tree. It is full of decay, and a significant amount of it's mass is not able to flex and absorb energy as it should. During the entire climb I was accompanied by a young raccoon, who apparently did not mind at all as I measured the branch it was resting on. It paid me no mind other than watching me, and seemed to get more and more comfortable as it laid out peacefully in the shade of the dense foliage. It had the right idea! Will
I just thought I'd send a few shots of the tuliptree climb completed this spring at Poplar Forest, Thomas Jefferson's plantation http://www.poplarforest.org/visit. This tree scaled a total wood volume of ~1,100 cubic feet; 463 ft3 in the main trunk, 574 ft3 in the limbs, and 64 ft3 in the 124 branches I sampled. The climb took me six hours- made extra hard by a network of steel cables crossing the crown everywhere- thwarting efficient movement. Unfortunately, although well intended to reduce failure, these static cables will likely lead to premature failure of the tree. It is full of decay, and a significant amount of it's mass is not able to flex and absorb energy as it should. During the entire climb I was accompanied by a young raccoon, who apparently did not mind at all as I measured the branch it was resting on. It paid me no mind other than watching me, and seemed to get more and more comfortable as it laid out peacefully in the shade of the dense foliage. It had the right idea! Will
Re: Poplar Forest Tuliptree climb photos
Will,
That is one relaxed raccoon. I remember the little critter. Thanks for posting the images. Fine shots.
Bob
That is one relaxed raccoon. I remember the little critter. Thanks for posting the images. Fine shots.
Bob
Robert T. Leverett
Co-founder, Native Native Tree Society
Co-founder and President
Friends of Mohawk Trail State Forest
Co-founder, National Cadre
Co-founder, Native Native Tree Society
Co-founder and President
Friends of Mohawk Trail State Forest
Co-founder, National Cadre
- jamesrobertsmith
- Posts: 906
- Joined: Mon Mar 15, 2010 5:32 am
Re: Poplar Forest Tuliptree climb photos
Too bad about the effects of the cable. My nephew visited there a few years ago to tell me about those trees. He seemed to think they were world champions.
Nice shots of the copacetic little raccoon.
Nice shots of the copacetic little raccoon.
- James Parton
- Posts: 1576
- Joined: Wed Mar 10, 2010 5:47 pm
Re: Poplar Forest Tuliptree climb photos
That little raccoon really made me smile. It also reminded me of James " Bob " Smith's article " Little Assholes "!!
James E Parton
Ovate Course Graduate - Druid Student
Bardic Mentor
New Order of Druids
http://www.druidcircle.org/nod/index.ph ... Itemid=145
Ovate Course Graduate - Druid Student
Bardic Mentor
New Order of Druids
http://www.druidcircle.org/nod/index.ph ... Itemid=145
- Larry Tucei
- Posts: 2017
- Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2010 10:44 am
Re: Poplar Forest Tuliptree climb photos
Will, That's one big Tulip tree! Cool photos, love the flower and racoon shot. Larry
Re: Poplar Forest Tuliptree climb photos
Larry,
You may recall that the climb was to model a tuliptree for the chief archeologist Jack gary at Poplar Forest. With the completion of the project, ENTS made its contribution to the legacy of Thomas Jefferson whose favorite tree species was the tuliptree. He called it the "Juno" of trees, where Juno refers to the principal Roman Goddess and wife of Jupiter. As you may recall, the Greeks had Zeus and Hera. Later the Romans adopted the Greek Gods and renamed them. Poseidon became Neptune, and so forth.
The little raccoon was cute as a button. I could see it from the ground, but Will had a front row seat.
Bob
You may recall that the climb was to model a tuliptree for the chief archeologist Jack gary at Poplar Forest. With the completion of the project, ENTS made its contribution to the legacy of Thomas Jefferson whose favorite tree species was the tuliptree. He called it the "Juno" of trees, where Juno refers to the principal Roman Goddess and wife of Jupiter. As you may recall, the Greeks had Zeus and Hera. Later the Romans adopted the Greek Gods and renamed them. Poseidon became Neptune, and so forth.
The little raccoon was cute as a button. I could see it from the ground, but Will had a front row seat.
Bob
Robert T. Leverett
Co-founder, Native Native Tree Society
Co-founder and President
Friends of Mohawk Trail State Forest
Co-founder, National Cadre
Co-founder, Native Native Tree Society
Co-founder and President
Friends of Mohawk Trail State Forest
Co-founder, National Cadre
- Will Blozan
- Posts: 1153
- Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2010 7:13 pm
Re: Poplar Forest Tuliptree climb photos
ENTS,
This tree gives a good perspective of what we perceive "big" to be, especially when you consider this impressive tree is barely 1/4 the size of the Sag Branch Tuliptree in the Smokies. The Sag Branch Tuliptree has significantly more wood in JUST the limbs and branches than the entire Poplar Forest tree.
Will
This tree gives a good perspective of what we perceive "big" to be, especially when you consider this impressive tree is barely 1/4 the size of the Sag Branch Tuliptree in the Smokies. The Sag Branch Tuliptree has significantly more wood in JUST the limbs and branches than the entire Poplar Forest tree.
Will
Re: Poplar Forest Tuliptree climb photos
Will,
Un-freaking real! Great shots and they do tell a story, but that story can only be fully appreciated from aloft. I would have liked to have seen a couple of shots like what you presented above in Jim Valentine's book on the southern Apps.
Bob
Un-freaking real! Great shots and they do tell a story, but that story can only be fully appreciated from aloft. I would have liked to have seen a couple of shots like what you presented above in Jim Valentine's book on the southern Apps.
Bob
Robert T. Leverett
Co-founder, Native Native Tree Society
Co-founder and President
Friends of Mohawk Trail State Forest
Co-founder, National Cadre
Co-founder, Native Native Tree Society
Co-founder and President
Friends of Mohawk Trail State Forest
Co-founder, National Cadre
- Larry Tucei
- Posts: 2017
- Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2010 10:44 am
Re: Poplar Forest Tuliptree climb photos
Will, The Sag Branch Tulip is an amazing tree a true Leviathan. Thats not big its Gigantic. I well remember your climb, I bet its such a rush to climb a monster like that! Larry