Big Meaty Spruce & Redwood Frollicking

[mdvaden]

Most often I drive 6 hours down to the redwoods, but this last weekend, went an hour and half west to the Oregon Coast for a change. Used to go there like every 2 weeks once upon a time. Will probably try to get over there bi-monthly this year. In an Oswald West State Park, stumbled upon a really hefty Sitka Spruce: roughly 210 feet tall and 13 feet diameter. Would be about 706 points on the tree champion registry scale here, whereas the new replacement Spruce champion is 743 points.

 

The other photo, is the previous Klootchy Creek Spruce that blew over in a 2007 storm. Was near 870 points, co-champion with Washington's Quinault Spruce. Added a before photo when they had the deck. Already the shrubs are starting to engulf the area again.

[mdvaden]

Also, a Western Redcedar of medium size in the same Oswald West State Park of the Oregon Coast. Discernable from the trunk.

 

The other photos are from a couple of weeks ago, working and hiking in the coast redwood forests. Redwoods seen reflected in the rangefinder, Trillium which I suspect you have some species of over there, a campsite at Prairie Creek redwoods, wildflowers at the Redwood National Park visitor center. And standing in a hollow Goosepen of a redwood trunk peering out an opening.

[David Humphries]

Fine set of shots Mario.

 

You've been conspicuous via your abscence.

 

Come on Sir, get back with the program

 

 

In relation to the Goosepen in the redwood, do you know what is likely to have been the active agent in it's decay ?

 

 

 

.

[mdvaden]

Fine set of shots Mario.

 

You've been conspicuous via your abscence.

 

Come on Sir, get back with the program

 

 

In relation to the Goosepen in the redwood, do you know what is likely to have been the active agent in it's decay ?

 

 

 

.

 

First, just noticed I forgot the older Spruce and deck photo, and Western Redcedar image. Will attach in this reply.

 

With the Goosepens, one way is that other huge trees fall against the base ripping the bark away, then the wood dries, and forest fires slowly burn away, time after time.

 

Another, is where the tree has like twin stems (sort of like co-dominance) and one peels away, leaving the side of the other exposed to fire because thick bark was lacking in the area of included bark.

[David Humphries]

First, just noticed I forgot the older Spruce and deck photo,

 

 

Blimey, that's a monster !

 

 

or they are incredibly miniscule kinder

 

 

 

.

[janey]

WOW!!!

 

That's a stunning set of pic's of some amazing trees

[slack ma girdle]

In the last photo, is the fluted tree, dead or alive ?

[mdvaden]

In the last photo, is the fluted tree, dead or alive ?

 

Seems it's sort of a 50 / 50 ...

 

And more on the declining end.

[mdvaden]

Just got back from another 4 days in the redwoods - may as well add to this thread.

 

Not as crisp a photo as I'd like, but one below is a pair of 15 footers, with Chris between. One other, is a huge redwood we found near 180 meters elevation above redwood creek, over 150 meters from any brook or creek.

[tommer9]

Every time you treat us to more pics of these incredible trees I am amazed. Thanks again.