Bob,
Where is the photo of the D-fir? Could be eastern height record. Which species? Will F. Blozan President, Eastern Native Tree Society President, Appalachian Arborists, Inc. _____ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 1:40 PM To: [email protected] Cc: Belchetz-Swenson, Sarah; Blaich, Tanya; Blaich, Roland; Davis, John; Gafney, David; Kaiser, Amy; Morrison, Laurie Sanders & Fred; Ryan, Mike; Seale, Doug; Zelazo, Timothy; Weiss, Nancy; CAMPANILE, ROBERT; [email protected] Subject: [ENTS] Bashbish Mountain and Falls 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 --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ 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] -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
