Old-Growth Forest Recognition | Montpelier

A nice blog posting about the Old-Growth Forest Network and the forest we dedicated at Montpelier in August 2012. The people in the Charlottesville, VA, area are very supportive of the Network, and many of them have become good friends. I look forward to visiting there again in the spring. Here is the post:  Old-Growth Forest Recognition | Montpelier

Building Forest Cathedrals

I think Alan Seale would also like the Old-Growth Forest Network. See his bog post here: Alan Seale's Personal Blog » old-growth forests  And after that check out our page: Old-Growth Forest Network. Working together for a better world brings JOY. Please join us. Wishing you all the best as 2012 ends and the next cycle begins. Joan.

We need to "create conservation programs with time-frames that span centuries"

This recent study describes what we already know - - we are losing the big trees and must think long-term to reverse that trend. That is exactly what the Old-Growth Forest Network is doing.
World's Oldest Trees Dying At Alarming Rate: Study (VIDEO)

Looking for old trees?

 Imagine growing up next to a forest grove with trees this size. Tom Howard (pictured here) had that good fortune and he has been educating others about old-growth forests for decades. This is the Wizard of Oz Memorial Grove named in honor of  Oz author L. Frank Baum who grew up in the area and likely visited the grove.The big red oak shown  above is the largest tree in the 7 acre grove, but it is not the oldest. Ring counts have shown that this large oak is "only" 142 years old. Other, smaller, trees in the grove are closer to 200 years. (Such as the fallen white oak shown below -- with glove for scale -- 198 years.)

 

More reliable than girth, in judging tree age, is the way the bark changes as a tree gets older. This is different for each species. For instance red maples get shaggier, but tulip poplars and some oaks get 'balder' (smoother) near the base. Here I am standing next to an ancient oak that has balding bark.

The best way to judge a tree's age is by looking up. The oldest trees will be very tall -- having reached for the top of the canopy over many years. Relative height seems to be a better indicator of age than relative girth -- but exceptions abound in the forest, as elsewhere. Here is what an old tree over 100 ft. tall looks like:

 

Note how much greater the trunk volume is compared to the branch volume. (Taken with Photosynth app). To the discerning eye, however, it is the 'architecture' of the branches that tell us which trees are truly ancient. Look for tall trees that have fewer limbs, and with limbs that are thick and twisting. When you see "sinuosity" such as that exhibited by the tree below in the North Syracuse Cemetery Oak Grove -- then you know you are walking among the ancients.This tree could be 300 years old.

 

 

My video debut as an "Environmental Elder"

This spring while I was in California I was interviewed by Huey Johnson for his Resource Renewal Institute project, "Environmental Elders Speak." Here is a link to my video: Joan Maloof | FORCES OF NATUREFORCES OF NATURE I am honored to be included in this illustrious group of people who are getting things done for the earth.

One person can make a difference! An uplifting story about saving a Washington State old-growth forest

A legacy of giants | HeraldNet.com - Local news