ENTS,
Today I returned to MTSF with the intention of continuing to update my
white pine measurements for that unique Massachusetts state forest. I
concentrated on the Trout Brook region of Mohawk, which has a scattering of
pines, most of which are relatively youngn and growing fast. I'm pleased as
punch to announce that 4 more pines have entered the 10-foot circumference,
140-foot height class. In addition, one very large pine, the Trout King Pine
has made it to 12.0 feet in circumference and is now 148.8 feet in height. It
will make it to the 12 x 150 club in one or two more years. It is a
single-stemmed tree - not cheater. A second tree has made it into the 11.0-foot
circumference, 140-foot height class. The last time I measured the tree, it was
under 11 feet in girth and 140 feet in height. Its exact dimensions are: Girth
= 11.1 feet, Height = 140.2 feet.
The Trout Brook watershed now has two single-stemmed pines in the 12-foot
girth, 140-foot height class. I am fairly sure that the Trout King's volume
approaches 700 cubic feet. At present, I think it is around 670 cubes. It is
packing on the wood and will certainly exceed 700 cubes within 10 years.
In Trout Brook, there are two 150-footers, or at least was the last time I
measured them. On my next visit, I'll confirm them. I don't think Trout Brook
has any other candidates for the 150-foot club for the present.
The amount of labor to update the MTSF white pine inventory is daunting. I
am alternately opmistic and pessimistic. I basically am doing the update solo,
but for the most part, it remains a labor of love. Hopefully, I won't run out
of measuring gas.
My fascination with big trees not withstanding, I do think updating the
big pines list is an important job to complete. For one thing, the list points
to what kind of performance we can expect out of a white pine forests on good
sites that are left to grow for different lengths of time. In Mohawk, we
presently can examine stands that are about 60 years old and compare them to
adjacent stands that are around 100 years old. We can carry the comparison
process further by examine stands between 130 and 150 years old, and finally,
examine a stand with trees around 170 to 190 years. The self-thinning process
can be observed as it has progressed over decades.
The huge sizes of the pines in the Elders Grove speak eloquently to the
capabilities of the great whites to pack on wood for over 200 years. Of course,
forest managers will not likely manage for such ages, but what modern day
lumberman pass off as maturity in white pines is not maturity - not even close.
An entire generation of lumberman may have lost sight of the full capabilities
of the species. Oldtimers may understand, but their time has passed. Mohawk
Trail State Forest has the power to educate.
Bob
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Eastern Native Tree Society http://www.nativetreesociety.org
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