| Live
Oak Project |
tuce-@msn.com |
| Jul
17, 2007 08:38 PDT |
ENTS,
Measured two Live Oaks yesterday in Pea Ridge, Fla., a small
community
between Pace and Milton. The Wesley Methodist Live Oaks,
CBH-28',
Spread-150', Height-66', CBH-27', Spread-108' and
Height-48'.
There were
many large Live Oaks on this property, I measured two of
the
larger ones. These two make #10 and #15 on the listing, both are
single
root, multi-trunked trees.
A large tree
on the property was struck by
lightning earlier in the year, killing the tree. The remains
were in a
pile. I measured one cut at 4'6" Dia. The growth rates were
.375 to .250
on this cut, quite rapid. I have photos and will send them to
Ed.
Larry
|
| RE:
Live Oak Project |
Edward
Frank |
| Jul
17, 2007 19:32 PDT |
ENTS,
It is a very difficult question on how to distinguish whether a
particular live oak is simply low branching or if it has
multiple piths
at ground level. The trees photographed by Larry Tucei as part
of his
live oak project are fantastic to look at, but difficult to
interpret.
Many are clearly single trunked with a branches spreading from
this
single stem. Others clearly have separate distinct trunks at
ground
level. Of the 46 trees on the list, from looking at the photos,
there
are perhaps three or four that are clearly multi-trunked. Of the
total
for which I have photos, there are a total nine that likely are
multi-trunked trees, but there are many more that are hideously
ambiguous. Live oaks in that setting tend to branch very low.
The
cords from the roots extend upward and lead out to these
branches. Is
this a sign of a separate trunk fused into one, or just the
general form
of the tree? The general form of the tree, even in examples that
are
clearly single stemmed, is to have this corded form. I don't
really see
how to tell if many of the examples are single or multi-trunked
short of
cutting them down.
I guess I will just need to rely on Larry, and others
investigating
these trees to make the call based upon their examination of the
trees
in person. From my perspective, and I know others will disagree,
I
think the question is rather academic about whether these are
single
trunked or multi-trunked. This is a common growth form of the
tree,
likely the most common, and it should be respected as such, as
if it
were a single tree regardless of the trunk form.
For comparisons with other trees, in which multi-trunks are an
anomaly,
I suppose it is reasonable that we compare single trunks with
single
trunks, but for comparisons within the live oak species itself,
I feel
they could be lumped all together. I will need to think about it
some
more, and welcome your input on the question - but before
dashing off a
quick off the cuff response, take time to look at all the photos
of live
oaks posted on the website. Simply click on the Live Oak Project
button
on the ENTS homepage, and then go down through the list of live
oak
posts.
Ed Frank |
|
