Assessments of height-to-diameter ratios and maximum height potential relative to site, age, and slope position

Blozan, Will

PIs are looking for record tree height and size, including understory species. Many of these species records, except for red mulberry (Morus rubra), were found in unlogged sites. However, the greatest concentration of height records within the park remains the second-growth stands in the lower section of the Big Creek watershed. Overall in the park, twelve species surpass 150' in height, six surpass 160', 2 surpass 170' and one species reaches 180'. In fact, GRSM contains four of the five trees in the east known over 180' tall, all eastern white pines. Tuliptrees (Liriodendron tulipifera) as individuals reach 170' regardless of age or disturbance history. As a forest they comprise the tallest deciduous forests in the east, and perhaps the entire global temperate-deciduous zone. Furthermore, the tallest tuliptree groves are second-growth, and form a continuous tall canopy. They are looking at relationships between size, age, and habitat. They were surprised to find a white pine (Pinus strobus) growing on a steep, dry slope, extending above the ridgeline, that is only 4.1’ shorter than champion growing in optimal habitat. Several champion trees are still growing, including champion white ash (Fraxinus americana), which is 12’ taller than next tallest individual. The park contains the tallest known specimen of about 40 species of tree and vine, and most species for which the park does not hold the champion include individuals within 90% of the champion. http://nativetreesociety.org/ Work in 2005/6 focused on hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) and the vast majority of superlative hemlocks were found in the Cataloochee and Greenbrier/Cosby areas, with the tallest tree reaching 52.76 m. The highest estimated volume was 45.33 m3. All especially tall trees were taller than the surrounding canopy. PI suspects that champion trees are a product of chance and not specific environmental conditions. Eastern hemlock is undeniably the largest eastern evergreen conifer in modern times, however all superlative hemlocks in the have now succumbed to HWA.