Tall Trees Event in Eugene last March 13 - Misc.

[mdvaden]

Thought someone may have posted about the Sillett and Van Pelt presentation last March 13th.

If anything comes to mind that someone recalls, post away.

There was a bunch of information, and a few bits were on my mind. One customer today was asking about how long a certain redwood in a photo lived. So I shared bits I recalled from the event, where redwood rings and dendrochronology were talked about.

Prof. Sillett mentioned that one woman, at HSU I think, did much to unlock understanding the growth rings in the old coast redwoods.

There was some slides. And one showed what looked like a single ring branching into two rings, or vice versa. And there were like pseudo-rings which were like resin spots or something. Anyone recall the exact term or phrase?

Seems that one slide showed one ring representing several years.

If this lady, or their department has done an article or thesis on this stuff, it would make for some really good reading.

 

[Gerald_Beranek]

Interpreting growth rings is not an exact science. because a core taken from one side of a redwood tree can contradict a core taken from the other side of the same tree. If the person analyzing both cores didn't know they came from the same tree the conclusions they draw would, most likely, be erroneous without know the full picture.

When you look closely at a large cross section of an old growth redwood stump you will fine many different growth patterns occurring throughout its perimeter. One side could reflect dry years and slow growth and the other side can reflect just the opposite.

And as far as growth rings merging,, it's actually a common phenomena found in areas of reseinding growth. I don't know if that is quite the right word for it. But if you follow those rings around the stump they will often separate out and define the annual cycle more clearly.

I've looked at a lot of old growth stumps. Not just glancing at them but getting down with needles and plotting out individual rings around a large stump. Easy to lose them in some parts if you're not careful.

 

[mdvaden]

That's food for thought for a lightweight item to bring on hikes. A small plastic container of pins with colored heads. I may see what staples or the craft store nearby has.

 

[Gerald_Beranek]

Terri and I just just got home from Prairie Creek about an hour ago. Started raining last night there,, and so pretty much ended our hiking today, but on Saturday we connected the dots to complete a section of trail that we missed a couple of weeks ago because high water washed out one of the bridges. On this hike I found the tree you used as one of your avatars. Some pretty nice trees in that section of trail.

Did you find the tree with the undercut in it? It's a mighty big one that holds its size like a real cylinder. I can't say that in all of Prairie Crk that I have seen a tree with as big of a top as that one. Monster.

I'll post pics when I get them sorted and resized.