Elders Grove, MTSF, MA   Robert Leverett   Aug 22, 2005 08:09 PDT  ENTS:     Yesterday, I went to the Elders Grove in MTSF with the intention of modeling the huge Saheda Pine - a tree that Will Blozan Climbed in 1998. Now at 163.6 feet in height and 11.44 feet in circumference, this tree remains arrow straight. It is one gorgeous, charismatic tree.     After putting 18 measurements into a spreadsheet, running the numbers, and a subsequent telephone discussion with Will Blozan, I've settled on 815 cubic feet of trunk and limb volume as the first determination for Saheda. Given the relatively large girth for this New England stand-grown white pine, it is apparent to me that the 1,000-cubic feet club for New England is going to be crying for members. BTW, I added 5.5% to the trunk volume to cover the moderately large limbs. However, 5.5% may be high for this tree. It may be no more than 5%, which would drop the total volume to 810 cubic feet.     In terms of comparisons, the Henry David Thoreau pine in MSF weighs in at 864 cubic feet with proper allowance for limb volume. The modeling was done by BVP. We can swear by the numbers. The Ice Glen pine is somewhere between 1,125 and 1,200 cubes. The Ice Glen pine reigns supreme. However, I will model the Ice Glen tree again to refine my first modeling. I expect the final volume will come out to between 1,125 and 1,175 cubic feet.     After modeling Saheda, I re-measured the red maple growing nearby. It once was the champion tall tree red maple for New England. Earlier this year, it lost to another MTSF red maple in the Trout Brook area of MTSF. Well, the Clark Ridge maple has regained its status. It is now a surprising 127.5 feet in height. In two seasons it has grown nearly 2 feet. So, as of now, it takes over the number one spot from the Trout Brook tree as the red maple tall tree champ of all New England. Somewhere in southern Connecticut, a taller one may grow, but chances are I won’t find it.     The red maple’s added height raises MTSF's Rucker index. It now stands at 135.59. This is higher than I thought the index ever would go and reflects the intense amount of searching required to home in on the tallest of each species. Nudging up the Rucker index for a site that covers 1,000 acres or more is a labor intensive effort.     This summer has seen the Tree Amigos do very little work on the Rucker Index in New England. The reason hasn’t been lack of interest. There is always interest. But high temperatures and high humidity have been prevalent throughout July and August. When cooler days arrive, we’ll speed up our pace. There are lots of trees to re-measure and the results will not raise the index. It will lower it. What follows is my best guess as to what the index will look like.      Estimated Species     Height WP             167.3 WA              152.0 SM              134.1 NRO            133.6 HM              130.8 BNH            129.1 RM              127.5 BC               125.5 ABW            125.4 AB                122.5 R.I.               134.78     There is a small chance of finding an American Beech at around 125 to replace the current champ this is 130 – but a tree that I doubt still stands. Also, the BNH champ could be taller. There is a slight chance of building the index back up to 135.         Bob   Home