Bob Leverett & Matt Markworth at New England's Tallest Tree

[RayA]

There is one single known tree that reaches 175' in height in all of New England, and possibly beyond. It's a white pine that Bob Leverett has been tracking for 25 years (not that that's hard to do... it's never moved from the spot in all those years!). But he's been measuring and re-measuring it, and double-checking it, and measuring it with different techniques and equipment, then re-measuring it over and over again. Phew!

Well, it was about time someone caught him on camera doing that. And Matt Markworth was in on it too... he measured a different, nearby pine, oddly enough named "The Matt Markworth Pine". What were the chances of that?

If you'd care to see these two pros at work (?), visit

https://newenglandforests.blogspot.com/ ... -tree.html

It will use up about 10 minutes of your life, but heck, it's about trees!

[Larry Tucei]

Good job on the video Ray- Bob and Matt in action!

[ElijahW]

Ray,

Two thumbs up from me, whatever that's worth. The aerial shots are impressive and help to tell your story. Well done, and congratulations to Mark for having the honor of a tree named after him.

Elijah

[RayA]

Larry, Elijah,

Thanks for the compliments, they're appreciated. But really, the credit goes to Bob and Matt for making it a worthwhile project. And Jared Lockwood did most of the aerial shots. Gee, come to think of it, I really didn't do much at all! Oh wait-- I did buy Bob an ice cream cone, if that counts for anything.

[Don]

Ray-
Good work! I see that video going to a wider audience (not those broadening at Friendly's) and serving us well !
-Don

[RayA]

Don,

Thanks, 'preciate it.

But how the deuce did you know we were just broadening our horizons at Friendly's ??!!

Spooky.

[Matt Markworth]

Ray,

Great production!

Not sure how you managed to make me look presentable! :)

Matt

[AndrewJoslin]

Great job on the video! Bob and Matt well represented, clear and concise, an excellent into to tree measuring.

The drone footage is fantastic. It takes away a beautiful mystery that usually only a tree climber gets to unravel, and that's fine. The mystery is what unique features will be discovered at the top of a tall tree. Certainly the top of a tree can often be observed by measurers on the ground but often it's impossible to read what's really going on up there. The upper crown of a conifer is unique, every tree of the same species is a complete individual and you don't know what that is until you arrive there.

So... I was surprised to see the double top, did not know that was the case. Very interesting. It shows what is probably expected, that the tall pines in the Trees of Peace Grove are sheltered, have all the advantages that allows them to grow straight and tall, but at the upper extreme, they face humility, they are exposed and the weather will break the tops and force regrowth.

I've had the privilege to be in the top of the Joe Norton Pine in MTSF, it has a configuration I've never encountered before or since. At some point fairly recently in its history, the top broke off, the branchlets just below the break all retained apical dominance and grew into a 16' or so tall rounded basket formation, to climb into the basket was daunting but once there protective. In a dream I would say Joe Norton smiles at this, the Mohawks were renowned for their basket making, fitting for such a fine basket to sit on top of his tree.

http://www.nativetreesociety.org/native/joe_norton.htm

-AJ

[Bart Bouricius]

I reiterate what others have said: Ray a great little video, and I loved the music as well. It was nice how the audience was not talked up or down to, if you get my gist. It brings back the nostalgic memory of climbing and measuring this tree with Will Blozan several years ago. I remember taking several shots with a sling shot to put my weight with fish line over a strong safe branch a bit over 100 feet up. After several tangles etc. Will took a shot by throwing his 12 oz. throw bag over the correct branch in only one try. What can I say. Anyway, if I remember right, the Jake Swamp Pine was something like 169 feet and 11 inches. It was a bit of a disappointment at the time that it did not quite reach 170'.

[AndrewJoslin]

I reiterate what others have said: Ray a great little video, and I loved the music as well. It was nice how the audience was not talked up or down to, if you get my gist. It brings back the nostalgic memory of climbing and measuring this tree with Will Blozan several years ago. I remember taking several shots with a sling shot to put my weight with fish line over a strong safe branch a bit over 100 feet up. After several tangles etc. Will took a shot by throwing his 12 oz. throw bag over the correct branch in only one try. What can I say. Anyway, if I remember right, the Jake Swamp Pine was something like 169 feet and 11 inches. It was a bit of a disappointment at the time that it did not quite reach 170'.

Yep, that Mr. Blozan is legendary in his throwing prowess ;-)
-AJ