The picture, above, was made in 1941, nearly 75 years ago. At the upper left, where the arrow indicates, a few tufted pine needles are visible. Those needles were growing on a ponderosa pine tree that germinated in 1885. The reason I know the species and its germination date is because the tree is still growing. Though perhaps not for long.
When I went up Center Creek a couple weeks ago and hiked through the last few snow drifts to this location, I noticed that the tree was leaning (green arrow). It is being undermined by the creek and could tip over at any time. In fact, the ground is starting to bulge upward on the dry side due to a lifting of the root ball.
I decided that I'd better collect some data before it toppled into the creek, so I measured its height (78 ft), diameter (25 in), and age (~130 years). I used those numbers to estimate its size 75 years ago (53 ft/17 in). Interestingly, based on the growth rings that I measured from a couple of cores, the tree had achieved 68% of its present growth by 1941.
I'd love to go in the field with you.
ReplyDeleteWe work for the same company. Let's spend some time in the woods.
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