New York Old Growth   Bruce Kersner   Nov 13, 2002 17:09 PST  Mount Loretto's Woods Staten Island Nov. 8, 2002 New York's most southern ancient forest discovered. Tipped off by a report of "impressive" beech trees, Bruce Kershner and Ned Barnard (author of New York City Trees) drove to this rural area near the south end of Staten Island. The one square mile property has been owned by the Catholic Diocese since 1870, which has operated an orphanage at the opposite end. As soon as we drove by, we knew it looked promising. At first only scattered beeches appeared, but the forest got older as we walked. Huge beech trees with stag-head crowns, buttressed roots and knarly burls covered a 25-acre area. Their ages all appeared to be 170 to 230 years old. Old growth white oaks were also present, along with ancient black gum, swamp white oak, black birch and red maple. We concluded the site was probably logged during the Revolutionary War by British soldiers, and then left virtually untouched since then. Unfortunately, the Church can choose to sell this property at any time to developers. Environmental groups must try to get this stately woodland protected. Greenbrook Nature Sanctuary Palisades, NY Nov. 9, 2002 Ancient forest confirmed across the Hudson River from Manhattan I had long thought that Greenbrook Nature Sanctuary must have old growth forest. It was once part of wealthy estates before the Palisades Interstate Park Commission acquired it in the 1930s. Still, it sits atop the Palisades cliffs, facing Manhattan. Could its old forest have survived? A 1955 science report measured the ages of trees in the Preserve and revealed that many trees were old growth—nearly 50 years ago! So Ned Barnard and Bruce Kershner visited it on Nov. 9, 2002. As soon as we entered, its tulip trees and oaks were impressive in their towering heights. After only 30 minutes, we concluded much of the forest is old growth (40m acres?). We were able to count rings on many logs which had fallen across the trail. Ages of red, black and white oaks were 150 to 240 years old. Tragically, nearly all the hemlocks were recently dead from wooly adelgid infestation. Their trunks revealed ages of 175 to 300 years. Greenbrook Sanctuary is also notable for its dizzying vistas from the top of the Palisades cliffs. New York City and the mighty Hudson River are spread out 500 feet below. The Sanctuary has several ponds and lacy waterfalls, and is an incredible scenic treasure so close to the big city. The Sanctuary has a locked gate, open only to members, though anyone can join. The Whitney Estate Green Tree Foundation Queens, NY Ancient Forest discovered on first official Southern NY Old Growth Survey The day after a group of tree lovers met in New York City to form the Southern NY Old Growth Forest Survey, we went on our first exploration trip (May 19). The Whitney Estate, now called the Green Tree Foundation, graciously invited us to explore their 430 acre property on Long Island, only 1.5 miles from the Queens border. Old estates are classic places to find old growth, and we were not disappointed. The groundskeeper explained that the property has never been logged since the Whitney's purchased it in 1895. It had also never been surveyed for its flora or fauna. As soon as we entered the forest, we concluded it is secondary old growth, with 150 to 210 year old tuliptrees and oaks—at least 40 acres, possibly a lot more. Soon we emerged into meadows, and the manager took us to Shelter Rock, deposited by the Ice Age glaciers 15,000 years ago. It is supposed to be Long Island's largest glacial erratic boulder: 40 feet wide, 20 feet tall. Soon we were passing the historic Whitney mansion. We walked to the edge of a wooded ravine near it and I knew we had found a much older forest. Huge white and red oaks, tuliptrees, beech, maples, and white ash filled the valley. Ages were 200 to 250 years old. The site was absolutely pristine, since no one, literally no one, visits this ravine. The estate is off-limits to the public, and is now used only for international conferences. The old growth acreage in the ravine is 15 to 20 acres. This is now the 4th confirmed old-growth on Long Island (outside of New York City). We believe more discoveries await us! Old growth discovered within the City of Rochester After 12 years of field trips, the Western NY Survey Team has not been exploring for old growth except once in a while. The survey's coordinator, Bruce Kershner, has been focused on forming old growth surveys in other regions. So it was with great anticipation that we met in Rochester in March 2002. We were told of impressive trees in two city parks. Tryon Park Rochester, New York First we hiked to Tryon Park, on the city's east edge. The first part of the walk was through young forest. But when we arrived at steep, hilly knolls, the oaks were huge—up to four feet thick—and 250 years old. Around every bend, more giant oaks appeared. We concluded it was abut 15 acres of original old growth forest, not cut because it was set aside early as watershed and to protect the city's drinking supply. Washington Woods Park Rochester, New York Our second site was just as rewarding. Washington Woods Park was named when it was dedicated on the 200th anniversary of George Washington's birth. It was clear why they chose this park, because the trees themselves date back from Washington's childhood. Red, white and black oaks were 180 to 250 years old. Stocky trunks, stag-headed crowns and antique bark were visible everywhere in this 12-acre park. Completely surrounded by houses, many of the local residents treasure the grove for its beauty and historic value. Now, some of them know it is also precious because it dates back to Indian times—a rare example of Rochester's original landscape. David Yarrow Turtle EyeLand Sanctuary 44 Gilligan Road, East Greenbush, NY 12061 518-477-6100; fax 477-1346 www.championtrees.org www.championtrees.org/NYOGFA/ www.championtrees.org/yarrow/   Home