The Lee Frelich Pine

The Lee Frelich Pine. MTSF, MA

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TOPIC: The Lee Frelich Pine
http://groups.google.com/group/entstrees/browse_thread/thread/617dca23c74d3eb5?hl=en
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== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Thurs, Mar 13 2008 2:35 pm
From: dbhguru@comcast.net

ENTS,

Today Monica and I returned to Mohawk Trail State Forest. We were celebrating the commitment we made to each other 3 years ago that led to our marriage on July 9th, 2006. Today was the second trip back to Mohawk since my long absence. What a treat to walk in an inspiring forest. So different from what most people experience in the Berkshire region, or anywhere in New England for that matter.
Today, I decided to stretch myself a bit, so we walked around the little Thumper Mtn ridge and into the ENTS grove, which is part of an area named the Encampment Pines for an old seasonal Indian encampment. Along the way, I measured a few trees for the study that Lee Frelich is leading on comparing measurement methods. But the one tree I wanted to measure today for comparative purposes is the tree we have named in honor of Dr. Lee, i.e. the Lee Frelich Pine. My previous measurement of Lee's Pine had it at 158.6 feet and that number is one of several measurements in the 158-ft height range. However, Lee's tree is difficult to measure because of its relatively broad, partially nested top and all the intervening clutter from all directions the tree is approached. It stands in the middle of a cluster. However, for trees obscured by forest clutter, this time of year is ideal to measure because the winter's wind and ice prunes the forest quite a bit. Small twigs are broken and som
etimes large intervening limbs.
Using my TruPulse 200, I shot the usual spot previously identified as the high point of Lee's tree. The high point is located on the downhill side of the crown. I immediately got 158.5 feet to the crown and then -0.4 feet to the base with the TruPuluse. This set its full height at 158.9 feet. On impulse, I then shot the uphill side the the crown - just for the heck of it. I nearly feel over backwards when my TruPulse read 160.0 feet. I waited a while, shot another tree and went back to Lee's tree. I shot the exact same spot and got 160.0 feet again. The winter must have pruned intervening clutter to allow me a never before clear shot of the uphill sprigs.
So, Lee, your tree is 160.4 feet tall and becomes the 7th official Mohawk Pine to break 160 feet. The pine's girth is a modest 8.3 feet. It is a relatively young tree with a broad crown and lots of growth potential. Who knows ho tall Lee will grow.
There are 8 white pines in Massachusetts over 160 feet that we know of. Seven are in MTSF and the 8th is in Monroe State Forest. There are 7 white pines in a private stand in New Hampshire over 160 feet and so far as we know, that's all of them in New England.

Bob

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Thurs, Mar 13 2008 2:52 pm
From: Lee Frelich

Bob:

According to my maximum white pine tree height versus latitude regression,
my tree will eventually reach 172 feet and then stop growing, unless a
warmer climate changes the relationship and leads to taller trees. I hope
the tree understands regression so that it knows it needs to grow another
12 feet.

Thanks for looking after my tree.

Lee

== 5 of 6 ==
Date: Thurs, Mar 13 2008 7:22 pm
From: "Dale Luthringer"

Way to go, Bob!!!

Another new 160, dude!

Dale

P.S. tallied another ~15 trees for the study today.

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Fri, Mar 14 2008 4:50 pm
From: "Joseph Zorzin"

Seeing that the "white man" destroyed 99.9999999% of New England's forests, I guess we'll never know for sure. But if I had to bet- and God would inform us, I bet he'd say "sure, dudes, my Earth did wonderful things before the naked apes turned ferociously against it- 200'+, sure, no problemo."

Joe

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