Big Leaner

Gerald_Beranek

Gerald_Beranek

New member
Location
Ft. Bragg, Ca.
I've been watching this tree for over 40 years and have long wondered how it manages to keep standing. This angle of view doesn't show the lean so much. Not til you get off to the side at least.
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Its top 60 to 70 feet has grown plumb.

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View looking east. Most big redwoods don't stand very long with this degree of lean. One of the taller trees in the grove too.

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After looking close at the tree and one of it's neighbors I fancy to believe that their roots are grafted and that is what's holding them up. Only a theory, but a very probable one in this case.

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I measured the tree in 1982 with an optical range finder. About 340 if I recall correctly.
 

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Do you think that the tree shifted/leaned years ago - then put the last 50-60 feet of growth? Possibly explains the top being plumb? The thought of root grafting holding it up sounds good, but, do trees that develop a lean mid-life develop reaction (for lack of a better term) roots to stabilize it? Meaning, put more root growth out on the opposite side of the lean to anchor itself better? Maybe I'm way off base?

Great pics!!
 
Their all good sound theories and probably is a combination of a little of each.

For its top to reach plumb it would have to of been in its present state for quite some time. Possibly a hundred years. I really expected it to topple in all the major storms we've had in the last 40 years that I have been watching it. But it continues to stand and not show any advancing lean. Pretty amazing tree, and situation.
 
The last fire through Hendy Woods was about 60 years ago. I'd hazard a guess that tree has been leaning a bit longer.

It's not uncommon to see big leaners stand for hundreds of years on the slope where they can get their roots anchored into something solid, but this tree is on a river flat of pure silt. That's why they don't stand for very long. But this is a rare bird and exception to the rule.

Thinking I'll take my video camera next time the wind blows hard. Should be cool watching it sway.
 
I'm thinking that's one of those tree rings. Probably just has excellent conditions under there. Giving it a sturdy healthy base. Also looks like it has made some extra trunk on the lean side to give it more stability. None-the-less sure made for some nice pics.
 
[ QUOTE ]
The last fire through Hendy Woods was about 60 years ago. I'd hazard a guess that tree has been leaning a bit longer.

It's not uncommon to see big leaners stand for hundreds of years on the slope where they can get their roots anchored into something solid, but this tree is on a river flat of pure silt. That's why they don't stand for very long. But this is a rare bird and exception to the rule.

Thinking I'll take my video camera next time the wind blows hard. Should be cool watching it sway.

[/ QUOTE ]

may want to film from the opp side of the lean
grin.gif
 
man thats a beautiful tree i wish we had trees like that here in ohio...
the biggest trees iv seen here in southeastern ohio is a red oak an a sycamore both about 30ft around... i love trees and really would not want to cut one down that big that has grown that long its been here a long time and went through a lot of storms but its still standing... the anchor holds like the old gospel song says...
be safe climbing an have a great day
thank you for the great pics
 
Wow, that is an amazing speciman tree Jer. It's always great to come upon those kind of trees in the woods and wonder what were the conditions like that made this tree grow like that?

Love to see some video footage of that baby blowing in the wind.
 
If that root plate comes out of the ground do they intervene or just close the trails in falling distance?

What is the procedure for removal of a dead giant (340') tree such as this ( not uprooting) in an area with other historic trees nearby or buildings (is there such a situation?)to be protected under them?

Is it just the same as removing a large (small relatively) say 100' white pine in a neighborhood with no equipment access where you want to take off branches from the bottom up (rig or drop if poss) then tip the top over into a block then chunk it down? Skycrane might come in handy?
 
Man blocking down that sucker would be an ordeal, I don't think they make 6ft bars for 200T's :). Lugging an 88 or 395 or even worse a 3120 on your belt would just be agony...
 
Thats a hell of a lean! Im gonna take a pic of a leaner on Navarro river next time i go up. I didnt have my camera but its worth stopping for a shot.
Great pics!
 
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