ENTS,
Periodically, I like think about the accomplishments of ENTS and
attempt to rank them in some order of importance. I guess ranking goes with the
territory. In thinking about our accomplishments I also like to divide them
into two broad classes: field-oriented activities and administrative
accomplishments. In the field category, I see our top 12 accomplishments as
follows. I list them in the order shown, but don’t necessarily see them rigidly
fixed. I do see the first six as ranking above the second six.
Field Activities:
1. Engineering of more accurate tree measurement methods. Without this
accomplishment, we would be part of the tree measuring problem as opposed to
part of the solution. ENTS is pre-imminent in tree measuring in the East and
our devotion to developing more advanced techniques is the reason. The upcoming
book on dendromorphometry will be part of this effort.
2. Development of site-based Rucker analysis. This relatively advanced type
of site-based analysis has allowed us to develop meaningful site to site
comparisons and highlight significant properties that would otherwise fall
through the crack
3. Will and Jess’s Tsuga Search. The immense scientific and technical
accomplishment of Tsuga Search has not yet been realized, but it represents the
absolute scientific best of ENTS. In time I hope it will be more fully
appreciated – if nothing else as our most precise historical documentation of
the best of a species.
4. The saturation measuring of the Cook Forest State Park , Zoar Valley NY
, and Mohawk Trail State Forest . The level of detail we have accumulated on
these three sites has allowed us to craft comparison statistics on a more
advanced level and to more fully identify the variables associated with high
site indices. Following behind these sites are the much larger and far more
difficult areas of Congaree NP and the GSMNP. We would have to clone Will 20
times over to have the desired penetration of the Smokies.
5. The climbing and modeling of the Middleton Oak on the Middleton
Plantation, the Sag Branch Tuliptree and the Usis hemlock in the Smokies, and
the big loblolly pine in Congaree. The modeling efforts are second to none as
scientific achievements, but unfortunately only a handful of people can
appreciate the accomplishments that they represent.
6. Larry Tucei Jrs. Live oak project. It is hard to over-emphasize the
level of Larry’s achievement as a one man army documenting the girth and volume
achievements of the live oak. We will never under-appreciate this wonderful
tree again.
7. Will Blozan ’s climbing and modeling of significant trees in
Massachusetts . Will’s contribution has no equal in the Bay State and has been
used to highlight the greatest of Massachusetts trees during a period when
forest exploitative forces have gained the upper hand. Great trees must be
individually appreciated. That can’t easily happen in a climate where forests
are seen for their biomass potential and clear cutting and forest high-grading
are the norm. It take special feats to highlight special trees. Will’s climbs
have given us the spotlight that we needed. Will’s upcoming sequoia modeling
project in California will elevate the tree climbing and modeling mission of
ENTS to a status equal to #1 on this list. Unfortunately only a limited number
of Ents are able to participate in the tree climbing-modeling mission of ENTS.
It is our most elite activity.
8. ENTS role as a support to other organizations be they the champion tree
programs or friends groups attempting to save a forest site.
9. ENTS annual rendezvous. These get-togethers have been important to
periodically priming the pump so to speak. Camaraderie is essential to binding
us together as an organization
10. Tree measuring workshops at Cook Forest State Park and Mohawk Trail
State Forest . Although modestly attended, these workshops make important
statements about the general state of the art of tree measuring. We manage to
make a few converts and for the present I think that we can settle for that.
11. Evaluation of tree measuring equipment. Not may of us do this, but it
is important to getting the word out about good buys, and equally important,
what not to buy. I have been privileged to work with LaserTech Inc. and provide
evaluations for them. They wouldn’t use us if we weren’t of value to the
evaluation process.
12. Providing expert site-based testimony and analysis. Several of us are
called upon from time to time to visit a forest site and make an assessment of
its importance based on some consideration. I could give examples, but suffice
it to say that this is an accomplishment of ENTS.
Administrative Achievements
1. The ENTS website is the most potent vehicle for disseminating
information about tree measuring, site analysis, and the mission of ENTS. Our
esteemed webmaster Ed Frank has no peers.
2. The Bulletin of the Eastern Native Tree Society. How can we thank Dr.
Don Bragg sufficiently for what he does for ENTS? The Bulletin is destined to
grow in significance as more people discover it. It presents the best work of
ENTS in a highly professional manner.
3. ENTS email list. The list is our chatting voice. It provides a place for
many point of view and levels of interest. It also provides a place for stellar
scientific personalities like Dr. Lee Frelich to provide expert input and set
the record straight, so to speak. We flesh out ideas on the list and stay in
touch with one another.
4. ENTS role in annual Forest Summit Lecture Series, old growth
conferences, special lectures, etc. These events give us a more prestigious
personal face. As of late, our distinguished president Will Blozan has been our
most active participant in this class of activities.
Well, that’s it for the present. I will conclude by observing that
of our 339 members only a few are active on the ENTS list. At times the list
gets pretty chatty and were more members contributing to the banter, we’d have
an unmanageable load of daily messages. There are some topics that are more
appropriately ENTS than others, but we will continue to encourage freedom of
speech. I hope we can tackle the forest aesthetics topic on the list with some
seriousness of purpose. We have an opportunity to contribute to efforts here in
Massachusetts toward defining forest aesthetics. It could be a very valuable
contribution.
Bob
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