Lake Champlain Valley and whopper cottonwoods

[dbhguru]

Jeroen,

  The vast, vast majority of cottonwoods in the Champlain Valley are natural regeneration. However, the species was also planted as an ornamental. I presume because it grows fast and creates a lot of shade. The trees on Plattsburgh AFB were planted I believe. I think Tom said they were in his post. I don't know about the huge cottonwood on the estate. I'd say it is a 50-50 proposition for that tree.

   Those black cottonwoods are really something. Thanks for sharing. I just love cottonwoods. They are one cool species, east, west, north, or south. America or Europe.

Bob

[Larry Tucei]

Bob, I went to Colby Ruckers tree listing he made in 04 and found many large Cottonwoods from several states. You may want to check them out. One inparticular was listed in NY. Eastern Cottonwood-  State champion list as CBH 30’ 5”, ht. 98’, spr. 100’.  Rennsellaer Co. He compiled one of the most spectacular tree listings I've ever seen. I've looked at it many times since I joined NTS back in 06 and I still never tire going over it. It would be worth while to see how many are still standing but it would be one heck of an undertaking. So many trees, So little time.  Larry

[dbhguru]

Larry,

  I think that is the cottonwood that Jess Riddle saw several years ago. The current champion tree list for NY doesn't include that tree. I do need to get over there and check it out, though. New York is the cottonwood state, or should be.

Bob

[adam.rosen]

Very nice tree.  The largest Cottonwood I've seen in Vermont is 20 feet in circ, with the same nice proportions as the OMG cottonwood.  This VT cottonwood is the front yard tree from an 1820's house, so probably around 200 years old.  But your find blows it away!  But in a nice, peaceful, tree hugging way.
Glad to see y'all caring about a quick growing softwood.

[edfrank]

Hi All,

Just as a point of interest, this is the largest (eastern?) cottonwood (Populus deltoides ssp. monilifera) that I know of: http://register.notabletrees.org.nz/tree/view/210 .  It is an old ornamental growing in the city of Hastings in New Zealand.  It is often referred to as the largest deciduous tree in the country ( I think there is only 1 (small) native tree species considered deciduous)

Matt,

it seems that there are a number of trees whose largest examples are not within their native range.  Another example is the champion American Chestnut in Clarkston, Washington on the US west coast  http://www.americanforests.org/bigtree/ ... a-dentata/  

American CHESTNUT (Castanea dentata)
Tree Circumference:288
Height:70
Crown Spread:70
Total Points:376
Location:Clarkston, WA

.

[adam.rosen]

I drove the new bridge from Crown Point New York to Chimney Point Vermont last weekend.  It's a brand new and attractive structure, engineered to last 100 years and outlive the predecessor bridge, which didn't even last 80 years.  You can see the new bridge here http://www.champlainbridgecommunity.org/.

If you are like me, you'll enjoy the bridge, but I had eyes for the Cottonwoods, which are immediately to the right.  This picture indicates, and my observations indicated, that the tops of these trees are actually right about level with the deck of this enormous bridge.  On closer inspection, the grand cottonwood there appeared like and old growth tree.  The trunk was twisty, the cracks were long and spiral, the roots buttressed and the bark was shaggy, peeling, old, weathered and trippy.

The hotel in Chimney Point played host to Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in 1791.  My guess is that Lake Champlain was lined with Cottonwoods then, and some of those trees might still be standing tall.

[dbhguru]

Adam,

  On our return trip from the West, Monics and I will be routing ourselves through Plattsburgh, and I'll check out the bridge and cottonwoods. I'm relieved that the bridge is now complete. From Florence, MA to Plattsburgh, that's the short way for us to go. But when the old bridge was closed, we had to route ourselves by a longer way. Looking forward to reconnecting with the cottonwoods, Lake Champlain, the Dacks, etc.

Bob