Black Pine and Green Ridges, NC   Joshua Kelly
  May 25, 2006 15:33 PDT 
sheltontulipstitch21.jpg (1172288 bytes)

A 14.22 x 162.2' tulip poplar (note me to the left of the tree)- photo by Michael Davie

 Dear ENTS,

On April 15th Michael Davie and I visited Black Pine and Green Ridges in
Shelton Laurel, NC. We started out at Dry Creek, a site I have posted on
previously. There we enjoyed the emerging greenery and Mike added a 138’
white basswood to the #s I had already collected there. Next we went off
trail over Black Pine Ridge to confirm the tall black cherry I had reported.
Mike measured this one at 137.9’, confirming my caution and the +/- 3ft.
precision rating for my laser. I will try to work something out with
Bushnell so that I can get one that reads in odd as well as even numbers. I
have also done some further work to calibrate and correct for error in the
distances in which I commonly measure. In this report I will mark Mike’s
measurements with an MD to denote the greater confidence I have in his
precision.
After some time in that beautiful cove east of Black Pine Ridge, we
continued up and over Green Knob, a 2400’ vertical climb, and down Green
Ridge. We then visited two coves which I had previously visited to see some
of my favorite trees. 

big maple1.jpg (325083 bytes)

A 12.47 x 129.7' sugar maple- photo by Michael Davie

I am particularly fond of the 12.47’cbh x 129.7’
sugar maple that grows in this area. It is stocky, with thick limbs, and
obviously old. Along with this tree, the tallest red oak, white ash, tulip
poplar, yellow buckeye, and black birch known from Shelton Laurel are in
these two coves. I consider this section of Green Ridge to be essentially
primary forest. We finished our marathon day with a push through steep
rhodo, and then a leisurely stroll down the foot path on Big Creek, where
the tall sycamore grows.
With the information from this trip, I am confident that the Rucker Index
for Shelton Laurel will top 145’ with further measuring. The Bald Mountains
as a whole will easily top 150’, given proper attention. Comparing tree
heights in different sub-ranges of the Southern Blue Ridge would be very
cool. I think that certain ranges are probably more favorable for certain
species; the Balds for black cherry perhaps; I’m pretty sure the Unicois
would walk away with the top sugar maple height. Too bad every mountain
range doesn’t have its own ENT.

Tulip Poplar 14.22’ cbh x 162.2’ MD
Tulip Poplar 11.13’cbh x 149’
White Pine 10.5’ cbh x 145’
N Red Oak 143.3’ MD
Buckeye 9.89’ cbh x 142.9’
Black Cherry 8.45’cbh x 137.9’ MD
Black Cherry 124’ MD
White Ash 12.94’ cbh x 137.6’ MD
Shagbark Hickory 8.45’chb x 132.5’
Sugar Maple 12.47 cbh x 129.7’MD
Basswood 120’ –straight up MD
Red Oak 12.06’ x 123.3’
Sweet Birch 91.3’ MD
Sycamore 137.5’ MD
Basswood 138’ MD



1) T. pop   14.22’ x 162.2’ MD
2) White Pine 149.2’
3) N. Red Oak 143.3’ MD
4)Buckeye 9.89’ x 142.9’
 5)Basswood 138’ MD
6)Black Cherry 8.45’ x 137.9’ MD
7)White Ash 12.94’ x 137.6’ MD
8)Sycamore 137.5’ MD
9)Shagbark Hick 8.45’ x 132.5’
10)Sugar Maple 12.47’ x 129.7’ MD

Shelton Laurel RI = 141.08’
137ash1.jpg (623863 bytes)

a 12.97 x 137.6' white ash- photo by Michael Davie