Catalpa and Black Willow   Robert Leverett   Mar 02, 2002 12:43 PST      Well folks, Jani and I just got back from a most successful tree outing. Colby, here come two new champions. Species                Height                Circumference                Location Catalpa                    85.0                        7.7'                            Smith's Ferry Road -private Black Willow            83.7'                       21.6'                            Deerfield near RR. Private property     I also measured a fine Cottonwood on the Oxbow. It towers. Cottonwood            113.6'                        9.9'                             Oxbow - Northampton, ownership unknown     The Catalpa and Black Willow are new height champions. The Black Willow may be a fusion of two trees or even three , but it is not clear that it is a fusion. At this point, I'll give it the benefit of the doubt. I'll now rework the Massachusetts tall tree list for posting on Monday to the ENTS website.     The number of 100+ foot tall Silver Maples is going to become common place. The same is true of Cottonwoods. I'm embarrassed to say that I missed the boat on both species. The Connecticut River Valley is proving to be a haven for large, tall Cottonwoods and Silver Maples.     Tomorrow it is back to Ice Glen. Bob   Home