These pictures were taken between 2001 and 2003 at the Levi Wilcoxon
Demonstration Forest (LWDF) south of Hamburg, Arkansas. This site is a
terrace flat, with little elevation difference, and of high site quality
(50 year site index estimates of 90 to 100 feet for loblolly pine). The
LWDF was set aside by the Crossett Lumber Company in the late 1930s to
preserve one of their dwindling old-growth remnants, and the original 100
acre preserve has slowly been whittled away by road construction, land use
changes, windstorms, pine beetles, lightning, ice storms, etc. However,
there are still numerous loblolly pine > 12 feet CBH, shortleaf pine > 8
feet CBH, and even a few oaks (white, post, and southern red) > 10 feet
CBH.
The LWDF contains at least the Arkansas state champion shortleaf
pine, and probably also the state champion loblolly, as well as a few other
potential state champion hardwoods. The LWDF is currently owned by Plum
Creek Timber Company (mercifully, they have shown no indication of wanting
to cut the LWDF), and can be found by taking highway 425 about 3 miles
south of Hamburg. You will know the stand when you reach it--the LWDF
straddles Highways 425 and 52, and is the biggest timber around BY FAR!!
(all photos by Don Bragg):
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The LWDF is dominated by
supercanopy loblolly and shortleaf pine, most of which exceed 150 years.
(photo by Don Bragg)
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View of the LWDF looking north on Highway 425 from a
parking area near the junction with Highway 52. The LWDF is a narrow swath
of timber along both sides of Highway 425. (photo by Don
Bragg) |
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An "artistic" view of the LWDF in the fog one fall
morning... (photo by Don Bragg) |
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The Morris Pine (named for a Crossett Lumber Company
employee) is probably the current state champion loblolly pine, since the
previous state and national champion loblolly pine blew over in a storm a
year or two ago. A sign on the tree claims an age of 300 years, a height
of 130 feet, and a diameter of 62.7 inches (16.4 feet CBH). The age is
probably reasonable, the height may overestimate its current height by a
number of feet (recent storms have damaged the crown), and the DBH is more
like 55 inches. Still, an impressive pine! (photo by Don
Bragg) |
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The current Arkansas state champion shortleaf pine
is named for a recently deceased USFS forest technician who found it. The
man standing next to the pine is Dr. James Guldin, research ecologist and
project leader with the Arkansas Forestry Sciences Lab of the USFS (my work
unit). This shortleaf was measured using tapes and a clinometer (not ENTS
standard, not yet at least) at 9.3 feet CBH, 142 feet tall, with a 57 foot
crown spread. (photo by Don Bragg) |
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Another picture of the state champion shortleaf,
with Jim Guldin (barely visible) standing near the base of the tree.
(photo by Don Bragg) |
Don
************************
Don C. Bragg, Ph.D.
Research Forester
USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station
P.O. Box 3516 UAM
Monticello, AR 71656
http://www.srs.fs.fed.us/4106/
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