ENTS,
Today DCR District Manager and member of the ENTS list Tim Zelazo and I visited
a small area in MTSF that we call the mast pines. It's part of the region
officially designated as the Trees of Peace . Our mission was to locate and
measure the remaining 150-footers among the mast pines. The task of measuring
the mast pines is easier now that they are tagged, thanks to Ent Lisa Bozzuto.
I confirmed four 150-footers among the mast pines yesterday. From measuring
mast pines in the past, before they were tagged, I knew there was at least two
more 150-footers, but I had lost track of them. It was time to relocate the
candidates and record their tag numbers.
By the time we finished measuring, we had indeed confirmed the 5th and 6th
150-footers in the mast pine area. However, we earned ourselves a bonus. We
also confirmed a new 150 within the main area of the Trees of Peace - close to
the Trees of Peace sign. Well, it wasn't always a 150. Regardless, that makes
20 for the main area. And there may be one more in the mast pines. The pines
are crowded and it is difficult to get clear shots of their tops. One can
easily spend 15 or 20 minutes or longer on one tree.
Before we entered the mast pine area, we focused our attention on a particular
tree in the Cherokee-Choctaw pines. I had spent a good 35 minutes on it
yesterday, ending up with 149.3 feet. Nothing changed today. I got 149.3 feet
today. Next year, it should enter the 150 Club.
It was especially good to have an official from DCR join me. Tim is assessing
the individual pine groves and trees within Mohawk, which can be showcased,
which should remain anonymous. His willingness to do this is gratifying for me.
It validates the value of the data ENTS has been gathering.
So where do we stand? At this point the make up of the Mohawk 150 Club and
potential for growth is as follows.
Area # 150s Measured in past # Potential 150s # 150s
remeasured in 2009 Tallest in area-as of last measurement
Trout Brook 2 2 1 152.3
Pocumtuck 12 13 0 153.3
Cherokee-Choctaw 3 3 1 152.5
ENTS 18 19 1 161.2
Trees of Peace 20 20 20 169.3
Mast area 6 7 6 156.3
Algonquin 12 12 6 162.0
Elders 9 9 5 165.6
Shunpike 4 4 3 158.8
Total 86 89 43
Is there any real value to tracking the tall white pines of Mohawk in such a
detailed fashion? Measuring and re-measuring them? Naming them? Others will
have to render judgment. I have reasons for doing it, but am clearly biased.
Bob
--
Eastern Native Tree Society http://www.nativetreesociety.org
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