Boogerman Pine and Sag Branch Tuliptree update 7-11-2011

[Will Blozan]

ENTS,

I met up with new ENTS member Brian Beduhn today to remeasure the Boogerman Pine, Sag Branch Tuliptree and several other trees. We found "The Boog" in good shape and had a 28' pole along to help measure in the thick undergrowth. This turned out to be an essential item due to the flush of new undergrowth from the dead hemlocks.

Here is the top as seen today- where is the highest point?

Top of the Boog 7-10-2011

Here it is! (and it's NOT the tallest looking point- the tuft of fluff at the point of the arrow)

With careful setup I was able to get 188.7' which is basically the same as the 2009 measure of 188.8' by John Eichholtz. So no news there.

We next went to the Sag Branch Tuliptree which does have some news. It has dropped a large chunk of the crown but otherwise looks great- although the leaves looked a bit puny. We tried and tried to get a good height but couldn't break 162' due to thick growth. We need to go back in the winter.

Brian and the beast

Sag Branch break

Fallen carnage

We next stopped at the National Champion cinnamon clethra. This tree has not changed dimensions since first measure in 1996. I did get a slightly lower height this time probably due to my former laser shooting long. It was formerly listed as 33.1' but now is 32.1'.

National Champ clethra trunk

Brian and clethra for scale

Nearby we remeasured the tallest witch-hazel at 51.4' with the Nikon. I think I had it over 53' before.

Will Blozan

[dbhguru]

Will,

Congratulations. Well, we all know for sure now. For white pines in the East it is 188.7 feet. The Sag is just doing its thing, sagging.

Bob

[jamesrobertsmith]

The Boogerman Pine was once over 200', right? I still have not figured out for sure if I've seen it. I mean, I must have seen it, but I'm not sure I've picked it out as the right one in that area.

Too bad about the top of the Sag Branch poplar falling out. It's an amazing tree. I need to go back in the winter. I don't think I'd want to see the forest right now with all of the growth due to hemlock death.

[James Parton]

Will and Brian,

I would have loved to have been there. I was out of town in SC this weekend. Thanks for inviting me.

Crap. I was hoping the boog had a growth spurt. Oh, well. At least " he's " still healthy.

It has been 4 years since I have visited the Sag Branch Tuliptree. I need to get back in there.

JRS,

Yes, the Boogerman Pine was once 207 feet tall before the top broke out in a storm. It is still the all-time height champ in the Eastern US.

[bbeduhn]

I went looking for the Boog a few years back and had no luck. It's not easy to spot despite the fact that it stands out at the top. From the trail below, it is blocked by some big hemlocks and tulips. Above it on the trail, it just doesn't look that tall. I found a half rack of elk antlers about 10 yards from it. I'm amazed that an elk can forage in that brush.

The sag branch tulip does not disappoint! It truly is a beast of epic proportions! It's also surrounded by other formidable tulips.

18' 2' 115' likely taller
~10' 145.5'
~13' 158'

There's an outstanding pine forest up the trail a bit from the Boog. 150's all around and very young--likely about 80 years.

[bbeduhn]

The Boog, looking fairly nondescript.

Sag Brach Tulip.

Sag Branch Tulip with Will

[naturegirl]

Wow, the pine is so strong and towering. Amazing.

[Joe]

a cinnamon clethra? wow, never heard of that species! and, this is where?
Joe

[Will Blozan]

Joe,

This trip report is from the Cataloochee District of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina side. It has the highest Rucker Index (~168) of any single watershed currently known in the east- thus I call it the "Valley of the Giants". The valley is a strange mix of mixed settlement, commercial logging, selective logging, and mature second-growth forest and pastures. In addition to a vast elevation range from over 6,100' down to about 2,300', it also boasts some of the richest soil pockets and highest rainfall in the park- all conspiring to keep us ENTS fully entertained with tree growth.

Will