Joe, I think that this will remain a question without a really accurate answer. We know that forests are not static. If you are defining "Old Growth" in forest succession terms, the answer (or best guess) would be probably not much more than what is presently because of the disturbance factor, natural and through human intervention. Forests rarely reach "Old Growth" stages save for a few stands that may be contained within the forest. Climax species (e.g. Juniperus virginiana on the Highland Rim in Middle Tennessee) could also qualify as "Old Growth" regarding forest succession. While it is understood that much forested land was cleared and converted to farm use, there also are many areas that are currently forested that previously (at least within hundreds of years) were not. A proof for this would be traditionally known habitat of herbivores (Buffalo & Elk). These animals are not forest dwellers, although elk do spend time in the woods, they are grazers of herbs. There are known buffalo trails throughout the eastern US that are now located within forested areas. This would not have been the habit of range romers. If you are defining "Old Growth" as old trees, or large trees. Based on old logging photos (some of our best historical evidence regarding trees--species composition, size and dispersion area) and talking to some "old heads" (retired foresters & loggers), we most likely would have seen more large trees than we do today, depending on the region of the country that we may find ourself. We know that Pinus strobus and Quercus virginiana were large, plentiful and highly prized to the English crown. My hunch is that we would be impressed with the specimen American chestnut trees and be hardpressed to find a quality oak yellow-poplar in the Appalachians mountain range. Steve Springer ________________________________
From: [email protected] on behalf of Joseph Zorzin Sent: Sat 5/2/2009 8:21 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [ENTS] Re: Kalanu Prong, Greenbrier, TN GRSM 4-21-2009 Question for Bob and Will and the others. Roughly speaking, what percentage of the forests of the East - if we could go back a millennium- would appear to us as "old growth"?? Of course there have always been fires, storms, clearings for villages, etc. I'm just trying to get a sense- if we could go back and wander around the forests- would they be filled with gigantic trees, thus looking very different from now, or not? Joe ----- Original Message ----- From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, May 02, 2009 9:11 AM Subject: [ENTS] Re: Kalanu Prong, Greenbrier, TN GRSM 4-21-2009 Will, A phenomenal report as usual. It would be great to have a list of all the 20-foot circumference trees in the Smokies. Information in email communications becomes too scattered. Anyway, thanks for the great reports. Bob --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Eastern Native Tree Society http://www.nativetreesociety.org Send email to [email protected] Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/entstrees?hl=en To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
