Sipsey River Picnic Area, AL   Zachary Stewart
  Jun 06, 2007 12:50 PDT 

ENTS,

Yesterday my family and I visited the Sipsey River Picnic Area, in
the edge of the Sipsey Wilderness, Winston County, AL. It was my
second visit to this area, just 20 minutes from the house. I'm not
a professional, and I do not have professional measuring equipment
(limited to the powers of estimation and a cloth tape measure), but
being a country boy who doesn't travel much (just joined ENTS this
morning!!!), the trees that I saw on the adjacent trail - while very
far from record-setting - were pretty impressive to me. Here are some
circumference measurements from the biggest I measured:

Eastern Hemlock, 8'7" cbh
Bigleaf Magnolia, 4'0" cbh
Tuliptree,        9'5" cbh
Tuliptree,        8'10" cbh
American Beech,   8'1" cbh
Florida Maple(?), 5'5" cbh
American Holly,   2'2" cbh
Sourwood,         4'1" cbh
White Oak,        5'10" cbh
Chestnut Oak(?), 6'6" cbh

I did see larger ones of a few species, but they were either covered
in poison ivy or on creek level about 30' below the trail. Aside from
the heat and humidity, it was an enjoyable trip!

-Zac
RE: Sipsey River Picnic Area, AL   Zachary Stewart
  Jun 06, 2007 20:26 PDT 
James,

It is a really nice place. Granted, the trees aren't anywhere near
as large as those in the Smokies and elsewhere, and the bluffs are
nowhere near as high as you'd find out West, the effect provided by
both in the same place - in addition to the river setting - is
truly breathtaking! I can't wait to try some different trails next
time I visit!!!

-Zac

 
James Smith wrote:

One of these days I hope to visit the Sipsey Wilderness. Everything I've

heard about it make it seem like a place I'd really enjoy.