Cook Forest Big Tree Extravaganza
Saturday - 4/23/05

Cook Forest State Park, in conjunction with the Eastern Native Tree Society (ENTS), will host a series of free events open to the public focusing on the old growth forests of Cook Forest and the Eastern United States. Join forest scientists and naturalists as we learn the latest and most accurate methods to measure tall and noteworthy trees.

Watch as a team of scientists climb to the top of one of two magnificent trees: the Jani Pine (171ft high), Davies Black Cherry (140ft high) to confirm its height and trunk dimensions. The Jani Pine is one of only 3 documented 170ft class white pines in the entire Northeastern United States (all 3 located in Cook Forest State Park). The Davies Black Cherry is the tallest documented black cherry in the entire Northeastern United States. 

Events will explore the Park's biodiversity, aesthetics, natural and human history, and importance as a National Natural Landmark. Programs to be conducted are:

800am-815am - 'Opening Remarks' - by Robert Leverett, co-founder and Executive Director of ENTS, and Dale Luthringer, Environmental Education Specialist Cook Forest State Park, at the Log Cabin Inn Environmental Learning Center.

815am-1015am - 'Measuring Trees for Science & Sport' - Conducted by Bob Leverett, co-founder and Executive Director of ENTS, Dale Luthringer, Environmental Education Specialist Cook Forest State Park, and other ENTS certified tree measures. Lecture and hands on training in the following topics will include: definitions basic to all techniques, traditional baseline methods & problems, new innovative error reduction methods including the laser-clinometer technique, tangent problems, instrument calibration, and sunlight effects. Located at the Log Cabin Inn Environmental Learning Center.

1030am-100pm - 'Searching for the Giants of the Forest Cathedral' - Conducted by Dale Luthringer, Environmental Education Specialist Cook Forest State Park, Robert Leverett, co-founder and Executive Director of ENTS, and Will Blozan, arborist, co-founder & President of ENTS. Join us for a strenuous interpretive hike into the Forest Cathedral to search for new big/tall tree records as well as re-measure the following trees:

Seneca Pine (12.5ft CBH x 172.7ft high on 10/8/04) - 2nd largest white pine overall dimensions PA
Longfellow Pine (11.3t CBH x 182ft high on 10/8/04) - 3rd tallest documented white pine Eastern U.S.
Cook Pine (12.4ft CBH x 160.2ft high on 3/10/04) - exceptional tree from days gone by

100pm-130pm - LUNCH (Please bring a lunch or light snack.)

130pm-400pm - 'Trunk Modeling Tree Climb' - A noteworthy tree of choice will be climbed and trunk modeled by Will Blozan, arborist, co-founder & President of ENTS. One of two trees will have the honor of being accurately measured for height to within +/- 1inch of accuracy by the plumb bob method. One of these two magnificent trees could be it:

Jani Memorial White Pine - last measured at 10.2ft CBH x 171.6ft high on 10/6/04. It is one of only 3 documented white pines in the 170ft class in the entire Northeastern U.S. (all three are found in Cook Forest!). A definite survivor, it withstood the 1976 tornado and currently affords an excellent overlook of the Clarion River off of the Seneca Trail.

Davies Memorial Black Cherry - last measured at 11.4ft CBH x 140ft high on 10/21/03. Stands as the 3rd tallest documented black cherry in the entire Eastern U.S located off of Forest Road.

The specific tree will be announced at the Log Cabin Inn Environmental Learning Center where we will start our drive to the trailhead. A very strenuous hike is a possibility.

400pm-600pm - DINNER (Please enjoy dinner at one of our local area restaurants, then reconvene for the following evening presentations at the Sawmill Theater for the Arts. The theater is not heated! Please bring a jacket or blanket.)

600pm-605pm - 'Opening Remarks' Dale Luthringer, Environmental Education Specialist Cook Forest State Park, and Robert Leverett, co-founder & Executive Director of ENTS

605pm-650pm - 'The Establishment, Growth, and Future of the Eastern Native Tree Society' 
Robert Leverett, co-founder & Executive Director of ENTS and principal architect of the Ancient Eastern Forest Series 

650pm-735pm- 'The GIST of Mapping Old Growth Forests'
Gary Beluzo, Professor of Environmental Science Holyoke Community College. 

735pm-820pm - 'Seeing the Forest Through the Trees: Old Growth Forest Influences on Stream Ecosystems' Dr. Charles Williams, Professor of Ecology Clarion University of Pennsylvania

820pm-835pm - BREAK (coffee, tea, hot chocolate provided)

835pm-920pm - 'Tall Tree Preserves of the Lake Erie Gorge System' Dr. Tom Diggins, Biological Sciences Youngstown State University

920pm-1005pm - 'New Findings on Derechos and Patterns of Blowdown' 
Dr. Lee Frelich, Director of Hardwood Ecology University of Minnesota

ENTS information

On 4/24/05 Sunday (2nd day of the event), we'll be going to Anders Run Natural Area. There are no bathroom facilities there. Here's the Agenda for 4/24:


4/24/05 Sunday 

0800-0815 meet at Park Office along Clarion River, pass out maps, drive to Anders Run Natural Area (~60 miles away)

0945-1145 Trunk Modeling & Climb of the Cornplanter Pine

1145-1215 Lunch in the field (pack lunch or snack)

1215-1515 Searching for the Giants (tour natural area, re-measure Eastern height record Norway Spruce)

  Cook Forest Travel Directions