Algonquin Pine   dbhg-@comcast.net   Aug 03, 2003 13:34 PDT  ENTS:    Well, it was back to the Algonquin pine in the Algonquin Grove on MTSF today to remeasure the flagship tree of the grove. Gary Beluzo brought his equipment and I used another set of mine. We have now measured the tree on 3 separate occasions and used 3 separate lasers and 3 separate clinometers and taken 6 separate measurements, which vary in height from 157.9 to 158.3 feet. That's a tight pattern. Taking the most probable of the separate readings for clinometer and laser yields 158.2 feet, which also matches one of the measurements. So our official measurement is 158.2 for the current season. I'm confident that we're within +/- 0.5 feet of exact height of the Algonquin pine.    The Algonquin grove has ten 150-footers and within 2 or 3 years will have 12 or 13. The overall density of the stand is impressive, but not exceptional. It averages 288 square feet per acre (66 square meters/hectare). White pine is the dominate. Hemlock is second and a scattering of red maple and northern red oak make up the majority of the other species. There are a few black birch and that is about it for species. There are two dominate age classes. The older pines are approximately 120 years of age. The younger pines are about 50 years old. The Algonquin Pines cover an area of about 4 acres with a density of 80 to 90 stems per acre. Theoretical board feet is very high for the stand. Usable board feet is probably between 95,000 and 100,000 per acre.     As we remeasure the dominates in our stands using different equipment and different eyes, we eliminate the chance for major errors. The pine are what we say they are and they are impressive for 120-year old trees. RE: Algonquin Pine   dbhg-@comcast.net   Aug 03, 2003 16:50 PDT  Will: The Algonquin Pine is 8.8 feet in circumference, very pretty not overpowering. The largest tree in the Algonquin Grove is 10.5 feet (40.1 in dbh) in circumference. There are half a dozen pines over 3 feet in diameter. Most of the more conspicuous pines are around 30 inches dbh at ages of 110 to 125 years. The six larger pines are 35 to 40 inches dbh. As I mentioned previously, there are ten 150-footers with three candidates in the wings. Bob   Home