Hydrangea Wars

Hydrangea Wars	Edward Frank
	Nov. 27, 2007

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TOPIC: Hydrangea Wars
http://groups.google.com/group/entstrees/browse_thread/thread/ab03981b8f5345e6?hl=en
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== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Nov 27 2007 4:43 pm
From: edfrank@comcast.net

ENTS,

Today while transporting Dale Luthringer's canoe as part of his move, I pointed out a large tree hydrangea growing in a cemetery. Dale, suggested that knew of one that was larger. naturally after dropping of the canoe at his new place, we had to measure them to end the dispute.
The first was on the Cook Estate. It measured 14' 4"high. The hydrangea had a multiple trunks at ground level. The largest trunk had a gbh of 16 inches.

The other two specimens we measured were located in the Hominy Ridge Cemetary, on the corner of Orchard Road and Route 36, just south of Cook Forest. The first tree hydrangea was measured at 18' 9" high. It had a single trunk which split at just below 4' high. The largest branch had a gbh of 23" at 4.5 feet. The narrowest point on the trunk below the branching was at a height of 15' had a girth of 3' 4 inches.

Dale Luthringer with the larger Hominy Ridge Cemetery tree hydrangea,

The second at the cemetery was a little smaller. It stood 16' 9" tall. This tree also had multple stems, and the largest of these two stems split just below 4 feet. The largest individual lead had a girth of 14.5" at breast height. The narrowest portion this trunk below the split was also at 15" in height, and measured at 2' in girth.

The species was introduced from Asia and Japan in the mid-1800's. Many of the tombstones in the cemetery are old, also dating from this time frame. http://www.pa-roots.com/~jefferson/cemetery/hominyridge.html The oldest dates from 1851. The larger tree has the appearance of age, but there is no way to determine how old it is short of cutting it down or coring it.

Hydrangea paniculata
Common Names: peegee hydrangea, panicle hydrangea
Family: Hydrangeaceae (hydrangea Family)

A website from Florida http://www.floridata.com/ref/H/hydr_pan.cfm says "Peegee hydrangea starts branching near the ground and has a rounded shape, getting 10-25 ft (3.1-7.6 m) tall and just as wide, although many specimens stay considerably smaller. The leaves are opposite, oval, have pointed tips and toothed margins, and are 3-6 in (7.6-15.2 cm) long. The flowers are borne in erect panicles 3-10 in (7.l6-25.4 cm) tall."

The plant is also commonly known as a snowball bush or tree. This website above indicates it can grow to 25 feet tall, so this is not a record size for the species, but does represent the largest specimen I have found in the state.

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/49393/ Seed Collecting:
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed.

Edward Frank

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Nov 27 2007 4:48 pm
From: "Will Blozan"

I know of a tall one in Asheville- now I have to go measure it!

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TOPIC: Hydrangea Wars Challenge
http://groups.google.com/group/entstrees/browse_thread/thread/d0ae7f81e8846c2f?hl=en
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== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Tues, Nov 27 2007 6:35 pm
From: edfrank@comcast.net

ENTS,

That is the challenge - Find a bigger tree hydrangea. Post all your results to the list. EVERYONE on the list is capable of competing. These hydrangeas Dale and I measured were measured using a 25' steel measuring tape - like is found in every hardware department and most homes. Go Forth and compete. Even if yours is not the biggest, measure and post anyway.

Ed Frank

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Hydrangea Wars Challenge
http://groups.google.com/group/entstrees/browse_thread/thread/d0ae7f81e8846c2f?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Tues, Nov 27 2007 9:06 pm
From: James Parton

Ed,

I am not sure what one looks like. I will have to look. I think it is
the tree/bush we as kids knew as a snowball bush. The flowers are
white, blue or purple.

James P.

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TOPIC: [ENTS} Re: Hydrangea Wars Challenge
http://groups.google.com/group/entstrees/browse_thread/thread/ee9ddd0ba4bf3398?hl=en
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== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Sun, Dec 23 2007 7:01 pm
From: "Edward Frank"

ENTS,

What is the matter with all of you? Are you all wimps that you have not answered my Hydrangea Challenge? Find and measure the biggest Tree Hydrangea in your area. This is the goal for all of you to beat:

http://www.nativetreesociety.org/fieldtrips/penna/hydrangea_wars.htm

Scott Wade has also listed it on the PA Big Tree Website:

http://www.pabigtrees.com/trees/species/Hydrangea.htm

Edward Frank

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Sun, Dec 23 2007 7:32 pm
From: James Parton

Ed,

~Laughing~!! I will see if I can find some tree hydrangeas in this
area. I'll bet Will knows where some is.

JP

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TOPIC: : Re: Hydrangea Wars Challenge
http://groups.google.com/group/entstrees/browse_thread/thread/ee9ddd0ba4bf3398?hl=en
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== 1 of 3 ==
Date: Mon, Dec 24 2007 7:17 am
From: Elisa Campbell

Ed,
I'm not up to a hydrangea challenge. For years I've had trouble
remembering that name when I happen to see the plant. Somewhere in my
brain some synapses for plant names that begin with "h" have gotten
scrambled, and I come up with hepatica or hyacinth instead. Must be my
misspent youth.
Elisa

== 2 of 3 ==
Date: Mon, Dec 24 2007 4:10 pm
From: James Parton

Ed,

I saw one in someones yard while I was out today. It was a bit smaller
than the one in your photograph though.

James.

== 3 of 3 ==
Date: Mon, Dec 24 2007 4:42 pm
From: Steve G

Most of these unruly beasts are Hydrangea paniculata var.
"Grandiflora", and are frequently found in company with weeping
mulberries in Victorian-era gardens and old cemeteries. They are rock-
hardy, but also butt-ugly except when in bloom in late summer or early
autumn. Newer, more "refined" varieties include "Kyushu", "Pink
Diamond", and "Limelight".

I'll do a graveyard search in my location during the next couple of
weeks.

Steve

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TOPIC: Hydrangea wars revisted
http://groups.google.com/group/entstrees/t/e724e0e0a99842bb?hl=en
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== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Fri, Dec 12 2008 9:15 am
From: djluthringer@pennswoods.net

Ed,

Thought this might add to the 'hydrangea war' thread. This is the second year
this hydrangea "tree" has helped hang a deer for me. Most hydrangea shrubs
could hardly support a hummingbird feeder, but not this one...

Dale

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Fri, Dec 12 2008 1:28 pm
From: James Parton

Dale,

I thought of Ed's hydrangea post today when I saw a fair sized
hydrangea in someones yard. Nice hydrangea shrub ( And deer! ).

James P.

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