Another VERY tall sugar pine to report

[M.W.Taylor]

Got back from the Sierra Nevada measuring more tall pines with Duncan Kennedy. We found one today that really towers. I forgot my survey tripods unfortunately and was only able to do a hand held preliminary measurement. The tree grows in a notch and leans markedly uphill. The base is burned out. It may not survive another fire. The tree is looking sparse and not very healthy, but still alive. The top leader still has large cones that probably make it sag a little.

Trip report:
Species: Sugar Pine
dbh: 6.9 ft
height:245 ft
Location: Sierra Nevada

Species: Ponderosa
dbh 5.9 ft
Height:240 ft
Location: Sierra Nevada

Species: Ponderosa
dbh 5.5 ft
Height:253.5 ft
Location: Sierra Nevada

Species: Sugar Pine
dbh: 10.3 ft
Height: 267.0 ft
Location: Sierra Nevada

Species: Sugar Pine
dbh: 7.3 ft
Height: 267.5 ft
Location: Sierra Nevada

[DAKennedy]

Addendum for the tallest one: the CBH I recorded for it was 23'0", so its' DBH should be 7.3', not 6.3'.

All told, today was a very productive day. Given the slope of that hill, I'm not looking forward into going back there again though, but it will be well worth it.

[bbeduhn]

Michael, Duncan,

The tallest sugar I've seen listed is 273.8' in the Sierra Nevadas and #2 at 269', in Yosemite. I assume reports of a 273.7' and a 273.8' are of the same Sierra Nevada tree. I assume this VERY rall sugar is #3 on the list. Also, in what National Forest or Park is this sugar living? I'm also wondering in what forest the 273.7' sugar and 274.5' pondy are located.

Brian

[DAKennedy]

Michael, Duncan,

The tallest sugar I've seen listed is 273.8' in the Sierra Nevadas and #2 at 269', in Yosemite. I assume reports of a 273.7' and a 273.8' are of the same Sierra Nevada tree. I assume this VERY rall sugar is #3 on the list. Also, in what National Forest or Park is this sugar living? I'm also wondering in what forest the 273.7' sugar and 274.5' pondy are located.

Brian

Brian,

Thanks for stopping in and saying hi! The tallest is still the 273.8 footer, and the number two is the dead standing 269' tree. This tree is number three, narrowly beating out Redonkulous (discovered earlier this week) for that place. As for which forest it is in, I am not at liberty to say; Michael will decide when and how to release that information.

[M.W.Taylor]

Michael, Duncan,

The tallest sugar I've seen listed is 273.8' in the Sierra Nevadas and #2 at 269', in Yosemite. I assume reports of a 273.7' and a 273.8' are of the same Sierra Nevada tree. I assume this VERY rall sugar is #3 on the list. Also, in what National Forest or Park is this sugar living? I'm also wondering in what forest the 273.7' sugar and 274.5' pondy are located.

Brian

Brian, The tallest sugar (273.8') grows in Yosemite National Park. The Yosemite Giant still stands at 269', though dead.

The 274.5' pondy location I am keeping a secret for now. I don't want the location being posted by thoughtless "youtubers" who would illegally climb it and brag about it. Then trash the top of the tree just like they did Hyperion.

[bbeduhn]

Duncan and Michael,
Thanks, gentlemen. I’m keeping dibs on the tallest species and Rucker’s for all sites, so I’m just looking for general locations for the stellar conifers. I’ll list the pondy as unknown location in the Sierra Nevada range. I’m aware of the desire to visit these trees, thus the secrecy. Keep up the discoveries!
Brian