Gary
Yes, I'm free. Let's go bag some tulips.
Bob
Sent from my iPhone
On Sep 15, 2009, at 3:33 PM, "Gary A. Beluzo" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Bob:
>
> Nice report! I love the images and I am wondering if there are other
> tulip trees hiding in the SW of the Commonwealth that might bring
> the height record in MA above 140.
> I can get out next Tuesday if you are free.
>
> Gary
>
> Gary A. Beluzo
> Professor of Environmental Science
> Division of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics
> Holyoke Community College
> 303 Homestead Avenue
> Holyoke, MA 01040
>
> [email protected]
> 413 552-2445
>
>
>
>
> On Sep 15, 2009, at 1:39 PM, [email protected] wrote:
>
>> ENTS,
>>
>> What natural land feature is shared by New York, Connecticut,
>> Massachusetts, and Vermont? If you guessed the Taconic Mountains,
>> you win the lollipop. Yesterday Monica and I visited Bashbish
>> Mountain and Falls. The falls are in Massachusetts. The mountain is
>> in New York and Massachusetts. The South Taconic Trail runs along
>> the New York-Massachusetts border and in the Taconics.
>>
>> So far, real forest giants have alluded me in the Taconics, but at
>> New York's Taconic State Park, I renewed my acquaintance with some
>> stately planted Norway spruces and Douglas firs. I measured 3
>> spruces to between 120 and 121 feet and a Douglas fir to 122 feet.
>> Measurements follow along with a tuliptree that is part of a
>> scattered grove that lies at the base of Bashbish Mountain.
>>
>> Tree Hgt-ft Girth-ft
>>
>> Spruce #1 120.5 8.6
>> Spruce #2 121.0 8.0
>> Spruce #3 120.0 7.8
>> Spruce #4 115.5 10.9
>> D. fir 122.0 6.9
>> D. fir 113.0 5.0
>> Tuliptree 125.0 9.0
>>
>> The attached images show the scenes we saw on the way up Bashbish
>> Mountain.
>>
>> Image#1-CatskillsBeyond.jpg: This photo looks westward across the
>> foothills of the Taconics and beyond to the dreamy Catskills. The
>> tree species along the upper part of the trail include a remarkable
>> concentration of chestnut oak. Red oak, white pine, pitch pine,
>> hemlock, red maple, white oak, and white ash are also conspicuous.
>>
>> Image#2-Catskills: The Taconic country of Massachusetts and New
>> York defines the idea of sheer loveliness. The mix of woodlands and
>> fields is especially pleasing. One gains a commanding view of the
>> mix from the slopes of the Taconics. Summits in the South Taconics
>> are between 1,900 and 2,300 feet. However, the sides of the
>> Taconics are steep and elevation is gained quickly. The lowlands
>> are 400 to 600 feet above sea level, so the elevation gain is often
>> over 1,500 feet and in the case of a few peaks, 2,000 feet.
>>
>> Image#3-ChestnutOak.jpg: Around 1990, Tad Zebryk of Harvard Forest
>> and I dated some of the chestnut oaks on Bashbish Mountain. We
>> obtained ages from about 140 to 230 years. There are many trees in
>> the 150-175-year age range.
>>
>> Image#4-Taconics.jpg: This image looks southward from the crest of
>> the Taconics across lower ridges and green fields.
>>
>> Image#5-FieldsBelow.jpg: Early signs of fall show in this idyllic
>> scene.
>>
>> Image#6-Bashbish1.jpg: Bashbish Falls are purportedly the highest
>> in Massachusetts. This image shows the single highest plunge. The
>> fall is into a deep pool. Many people visit the falls. Swimming in
>> the pool is not allowed.
>>
>> Image#7-Bashbish2.jpg: The falls from farther away. Like many
>> waterfalls, myths abound around the name. Supposedly and Indian
>> maiden plunged to her death over the falls.
>>
>> Image#8-MonicaAndOak.jpg: This image shows Monica next to a
>> handsome northern red. Nothing to get overly excited about. Just
>> nice.
>>
>> Bob
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> <CatskillsBeyond.jpg>
>> <Catskills1.
>> jpg>
>> <ChestnutOak.jpg>
>> <Taconics1.
>> jpg><FieldsBelow.jpg><Bashbish1.jpg><Bashbish3.jpg><MonicaAndOk.jpg>
>
>
> >
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