Seeking Trees

It is no big secret that many of my friends and I feel passionate about trees.  Far outstripping the lifespan of the average human, these giant sentinels of times past leave me feeling very small indeed.

Their struggles through drought, fire, and the activity of man are too often scrawled upon the very bark which makes each species recognizable and unique.  Our world is richer for having trees and the by-product of clean air to breath is mighty sweet, too.

If one wants to mark the down-fall of man, you need look no farther than the wholesale destruction of trees. They anchor our very earth, preventing erosion.  They provide shade, habitat, food and form the framework for ecosystems.  Look to the most dramatic poverty-stricken nations and you'll find countries denuded of trees.

Bur Oak, Quercus macrocarpa at Daughmer Prairie State Nature Preserve, photo by Ian Adams.

One of  Ian Adams' best tree portraits ever features an old friend from Daughmer Prairie Savannah State Nature Preserve.  This giant Bur Oak, Quercus macrocarpa grows next to the parking lot on Marion-Melmore Rd.

If you have ever tried to photograph an old growth tree, one soon realizes it is difficult to get the full size, shape and perspective of its habitat included.  It makes Ian's fine work all the more admirable.

Now you can see many of Ohio's most spectacular trees as well as rock formations and scenic highways through the the filter of Ian's lens.

Ohio University's Swallow press has produced a gem filled with the best scenes Ohio has to offer.  A Photographer's Guide to Ohio has me spell-bound.  Thanks to Ian, I now have a few more trees to see right here in Ohio!

A little excerpt from Ian's work:

     When I view this tree, and other giants like it, I'm reminded of a statement attributed to playwright, George Bernard Shaw, "Except for the nine months before he draws his first breath, no man manages his affairs so well as a tree does."

My feelings, too.  A tree can be measured worthy in so many ways besides board-feet.  A note to Ohio State Parks and Forests,  none of the beautiful or historic sites Ian depicts include a clear-cut.

We need trees. 

Old Growth Trees in Evansville, Indiana

Evansville, Indiana may not seem like a destination location, unless you are really into old-growth trees.  This place is a dendrologist's nirvana.

Indiana's State Champion Cherrybark Oak, Quercus pagoda.

Arriving in town, my primary mission was to visit this tree and pay my respects in person.  It stands on the lawn of the Indiana State Hospital and reigns mightily over a host of lesser trees. It is stunningly large: Circumference at 4 ½ Feet: 252”  Height: 95’ Crown Spread: 131’ Point Index: 379.75 

Cherrybark Oak gets it name from the odd plated bark which is reminiscent of a cherry tree. It is quite southern in its range, and barely tips into the southern most portion of  Indiana. Never heard of Cherrybark Oak?  Neither had I, but it is not the only big tree in Vanderburg County. While many counties cannot boast a single record tree, Vanderburg held 26 records in 2005.  

 VANDERBURGH—(26) Biltmore Ash, Pumpkin Ash, Red Ash, Basswood, Paper Birch, River Birch, Catalpa, Dogwood, Sugar Hackberry, Green Haw, Mockernut Hickory, Red Hickory, Thornless Honeylocust, Blackjack Oak, Cherrybark Oak, Post Oak, Schneck Oak, Shingle Oak, Southern Red Oak, Paw Paw, Pecan, Wild Goose Plum, Wooley-leaf American Plum, Serviceberry (2 co-champions), Sweetgum

Tulip Tree, Liriodendron tulipifera 

One of Evansville's city parks, Wesselman Woods  is a nature preserve.  The wise city fathers set aside an entire old-growth tract of land to be enjoyed by all!   Today it is completely enveloped by urbanization, making these trees seem even more impressive set against the back drop of a bustling city.  Seeing a single Grand Champion tree is always exciting, but to visit an entire functioning eco-system is beyond a delight!

Spring ephemerals grass the lawns

It is not only the trees which are left in their natural state.  The lawns have remained free of herbicides, as witnessed by the  bouquets of Spring Beauties and Violets found in abundance.  It is so rare to find a park lawn unhampered by modern day man's desire to grown a mono-culture lawn.

Evansville is a town where "greenies' can bask in untrammeled nature and feel renewed.  Not only is nature beautiful, it is good for tourism!  I am not the only person who has traveled far out of my way to see this majestic remnant of America's past.  

A vernal pool is featured  mid-park.

Mid-park there is also a large vernal pool with Bald Cypress, Taxodium distichum and  gigantic Black Gums, Nyssa sylvatica. The park was active with early morning birders, dog walkers and a entire unit of soldiers in training from the nearby Army Reserve base.  The wood ducks paddling across the vernal pool paid them no mind.

Seasonally Closed

The road next to the vernal pool is seasonally closed during the Salamander run!  How progressive is that? Evansville is quintessentially the "perfect" American town in my book. Finally, a city who values it natural resources as nature!  The trees are celebrated not as board feet of timber, but rather as living, breathing history.

My only regret was not having enough time to spend in this wonderful village.  Some day I hope to return but until then, if you stop by Evansville, give my regards to that old Cherrybark Oak.

Old Growth Forest

It is not much of a secret that the Weedpicker is also a tree-hugger.  What better tribute to fall than to make a whirlwind tour of some spectacular trees and fall foliage.  Cooksville, PA was the designated location, as the home of Cooks Forest.

Giant skeletal remains of a native Chestnut tree, being admired by the ol' Weedpicker, Cheryl Harner.

 This Chestnut tree snag is located near the Forest Cathedral in Cooks Forest.  It is all that remains of the giant species which was common prior to the catastrophic Chestnut blight which swept through Pennsylvania in the 1920's.

A staircase leads to yet another portion of silent forest. 

 We first learned of this special Old Growth Forest from Joan Maloof's book, Among the Ancients.  This has been my second visit in a year, as it is but a short trip from Ohio's northeast border to see the soft layered forest floor and old growth trees.

Spectacular fall color.

 The light played through the multi-colored leaves.  What could be more enchanting?

Cheryl  and daughter, Michelle Goodman.

We both give this forest two-thumbs up for beauty, serenity and the woodland scent that makes life seem oh-so-right.

If you have not yet been to an old-growth forest pick up Joan's book, join the Old Growth Forest Network, and learn a little more about this great pleasure in life you may be missing.