| Holy
Grail Hemlocks |
Will
Blozan |
| Feb
25, 2007 18:58 PST |
ENTS,
Last week the Tsuga Search climbed the first hemlock Jess Riddle
and I found
that broke 170' tall- the "Holy Grail" of eastern
hemlock height. This tree,
which we named "Yughi" (Cherokee for needle), was
measured to 171.6 feet
with the laser. The climb and measurement of this slender tree
resulted in a
height of 171.7 feet and a volume of 449 cubic feet. Yughi was
the last to
be climbed of the three trees we have thus far identified to
exceed 170' - a
height that until recently had never been accurately documented.
All of
these three trees grow on the same ridge system in Cataloochee
Valley, GRSM.
Jess is planning a comprehensive post regarding the superlative
trees of Big
Fork Ridge.
Here are the stats on the "Holy Grail Hemlocks"
Tree CBH CIRC
@ 50' CIRC @ 100'
CIRC @ 150' Total height Wood
volume
"Usis" 15'5" 12'0" 9'7"
3'1" 173.1' 1533
ft3
"Survivor" 11'8" 9'8" 8'2"
2'0" 172.1' 884
ft3
"Yughi" 9'3" 6'10" 5'0"
1'11" 171.7' 449
ft3
As you can see, they couldn't be more different in trunk size
even though
they are only 17 inches different in height. We don't know if we
will find
any more hemlocks over 170', but the search continues. Big Fork
Ridge has
proven to be exceptional habitat for eastern hemlocks, with more
than half
of the fifty known hemlocks taller than 160' being located on
this ridge.
There are a few more coves to explore on Big Fork Ridge and of
course MUCH
more searching elsewhere in the Smokies.
Will Blozan
President, Eastern Native Tree Society
President, Appalachian Arborists, Inc.
|
|