George, ENTS, WNTS, This subject is part of an ongoing discussion on the ITRDBFOR Forum. Chris Baisan commented, "Dr Currey had rather bad luck to have that particular tree in his study area and to have decided to fell it. It is very unlikely, however, that it was the oldest in that particular stand. The stand on Wheeler Peak is quite extensive and is made up of thousands of ancient trees. Having visited the area and seen the cut stump (still on the site along with the remains of the tree) I would find it truly incredible if that that particular tree was "the oldest". There are also areas in the White Mountains of California with trees that are known to be considerably older than 4,000 years. It is highly likely that there, too, are older trees."
James Riser commented, "Don't forget the several sections lying on the ground up at the stump! I have visited this stump a couple of times over the years (proposed to my wife near there!) and have wondered why nobody has ever followed up with it. There are probably more than 4862 rings if one were to sample lower in the stump. However, there is a large amount of very old wood just sitting there." Jean-Luc Dupoeuy commented on the Prometheus Tree cut by Dr. Currey, : "The ring count has been published as 4844 by Currey himself (Ecology 1965). It is written in many places that this age has been later recounted at 4862 by Don Graybill;" Ed Frank "Oh, I call myself a scientist. I wear a white coat and probe a monkey every now and then, but if I put monetary gain ahead of preserving nature...I couldn't live with myself." - Professor Hubert Farnsworth --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ 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] -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
