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Subject: Update in MTSF and Comparisons elsewhere in Northeast
Date: Mon, 18 Apr 2005 14:31:47 -0400
Priscilla, Jim, Robert, Jake, and Chuck:
This is to keep you current on our latest discoveries/confirmations in MTSF as of the past weekend.
Attached is an updated comparison of MTSF to other big tree/tall tree hot spots in the Northeast. I've added a third comparison worksheet showing how Mohawk fairs compared to other sites for 14 species of trees. The Tuliptree does not grow in MTSF, but I've included it, nonetheless, since that species figures so prominently in tall tree comparisons across the Northeast. However, the included comparisons are for 41 degrees latitude and northward. Fairmount Park in Philadelphia is the exception, lying at 40 degrees latitude. I've included it since at present it is one of the top 4 tall tree sites in the NE.
In general, hardwoods to the south of central PA are in a different growing climate to the trees in our area. I've chosen 41 degrees north latitude somewhat arbitrarily as the dividing line. I am attempting more of an apples to apples comparison. Latitudes in the range of 41 to 43 degrees have the focus. Incidentally, MTSF reaches to latitude 42.657 degrees north.
You can see in the first two spreadsheets how MTSF compares to 15 other tall tree sites. The third sheet recaps the list of champions updated as a consequence of this past weekend's confirmations by John Eichholz and myself. Why this one modest-sized state forest should do so well in the tree growth/height category is still a mystery to us. However, there is no longer any lack of comparative local and regional data. If we include MSF to MTSF, what is actually being compared is the Deerfield River region of Massachusetts from Charlemont to Vermont.
Studies in the coming years, headed by Dr. Lee Frelich, Director for the Center For Hardwood Ecology, UMINN, will look at environmental factors that explain the growth of trees in the Deerfield River area and elsewhere in the eastern United States. The study effort will be a sizable undertaking. However, because of the extensive tree database we are developing, MTSF will figure prominently into what Dr. Frelich believes will be groundbreaking research.
The data for the attached worksheets will go into the DCR study report. You have already received the early draft. However, numerous updates will be incorporated in the final product.
Bob
RuckerIndicesComparisons_4_18_2005.xls
The Excel
file as three web pages:
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