Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park 11/26/2010

[Will Blozan]

ENTS,

Darian Copiz and I met early to measure some trees along the C&O Canal in Maryland. The park contains a long swath of Potomac River floodplain forest and adjacent slopes often of great age. The drive to the parking lot offered views over American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) dominated forest between the canal and the river.

               

                       

                       

Box-Elder over side channel of the Potomac River. Note sycamores in background

                       

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We went upstream from the lock house in pursuit of the Maryland State Champion Shumard oak (Quercus shumardii). We meandered through the forest marveling at the density of the sycamore flats and impressive shumard oak cohorts. Bitternut hickory (Carya cordiformis), black walnut (Juglans nigra), box-elder (Acer negundo), hackberry (Celtis occidentalis), and an occasional elm (Ulmus sp.) also shared the canopy. We saw lone examples of chinquapin oak (Quercus muhlenbergii) and burr oak (Quercus macrocarpa). Paw-paw (Asimina triloba) and thick exotics populated the understory and native and exotic lianas draped whatever could be climbed.

               

                       

                       

Darian and large shumard oak

                       

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We measured a few really nice Shumard oaks. One 56” DBH beast had the entire center ripped out yet the remaining side branch still reached 130’. We continued upstream for a bit but were pressed for time to meet up with Gaines McMartin at another site. We hurried downstream to find the champion tree. On the way we measured a nice 17’8” CBH sycamore that was a decent 126.8 feet tall.

               

                       

                       

17'8" CBH sycamore

                       

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We spotted a huge crown in the distance by the river and headed over. Well, it was the “champ” but not even remotely worthy. It was two trees growing side-by-side measured as one. Lame. At least the 123' height was dead-on.

               

                       

                       

"Champion" shumard oak(s)

                       

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This National Park has a TON to offer and this is just the beginning of lots and lots of searching. My childhood home was near the park and I spent many, many days riding my bike and exploring the forest. I vividly recall huge trees along the Potomac River, which may be one of the unmeasured hot spots of the Mid-Atlantic region.

Species Diameter Height
Shumard 56" 130.0'
Shumard 54" 129.8'
Shumard 43.9" 130.6'
Hackberry N/A 99.6'
Sycamore 67.5" 126.8'

Will Blozan
Darian Copiz

[tsharp]

Will: Nice picture of Shumard Oak. I still have not found one along the Ohio River.
TS

[James Parton]

Will,

Nice Sycamore!  At least you are getting some " woods time ".

JP

[Neil]

Hi Will, ENTS,

it isn't the same place, but i sampled pignut hickory and post oak growing on Bear Island and the Billy Goat Trail on the northern side of the river across from Great Falls St. Park - http://tinyurl.com/3ae7eob

though not impressive in stature, the oak and hickory are about 90 to 175 years old this yr [sampled in 2003]. the hickory are, on average, a bit older than the post oak.

and, because they are mostly growing on rock, they are wickedly drought stressed.

unfortunately i do not have any digital pictures of these trees. if you zoom in on Google Earth, you can pretty much see each tree.

neil

[edfrank]

Will,

It looks like a cool site and nice to see you and Darian get out. and do some joint measuring  I am really glad to see you posting about your adventures to the BBS.  I always enjoy your posts and find them both interesting and informative even if I do not comment upon them.  I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas.  

Darian - I also am glad to see you out and about and measuring trees.  Your posts are always worthwhile there just aren't enough of them.  Again I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas.

Ed Frank

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