New Jersey Big Tree Program

[Boyd]

Was listening to WVLT this afternoon and John D'iorio had a guest from the Forestry Service talking about the Big Tree program. Only got to hear a few minutes of this, but found the following link: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/forest/community/bigtree.html

You'd think they would have the full list available online somewhere, but evidently they don't. I did find a few of them listed here: http://www.stockton.edu/~forestry/historic.htm

Has anyone seen this book? Are any of the "big trees" in the pines? This is one thing which always saddens me about New Jersey. There aren't any old growth forests in the pines (or have I missed something)? Pennsylvania has a nice website for old growth forests: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/FORESTRY/oldgrowth/index.aspx

 

[46er]

There are several places with 'old growth' in NJ, I've been to 2 of them. Not much left in the NE; The Adirondacks had a couple of places I've been too that were pretty impressive, PA was even better, but further away. The link for NJ.

http://www.primalnature.org/ogeast/nj.pdf

Wikipedia has a pretty good list of old growth locations nationwide.

A list of Big Tree Lists;

http://www.michbotclub.org/big_trees/champion_list.htm

NY and PA lists;

http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/treechamp0909com.pdf

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/natural/bigtree.aspx

If I'm near the FREC next week I'll stop in and ask about the list, tis a shame they cannot put the list online as other states have.

 

[DeepXplor]

Big Tree

This tree was growing in Chesterfield, Burlington Co. and was removed around 1995. It was established as the largest tree in Burlco. The reason they cut it down because it was in the way. Is that really progress? I don't think so. I took the picture after hearing about the possible removal of the tree.

 

[Teegate]

Was listening to WVLT this afternoon and John D'iorio had a guest from the Forestry Service talking about the Big Tree program. Only got to hear a few minutes of this, but found the following link: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/forest/community/bigtree.html

You'd think they would have the full list available online somewhere, but evidently they don't. I did find a few of them listed here: http://www.stockton.edu/~forestry/historic.htm

Has anyone seen this book? Are any of the "big trees" in the pines? This is one thing which always saddens me about New Jersey. There aren't any old growth forests in the pines (or have I missed something)? Pennsylvania has a nice website for old growth forests: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/FORESTRY/oldgrowth/index.aspx

Boyd,

The Clement Oak at the link above is now located in the back receiving area of the WallMart in Deptford. I drove back there to see it and could not find it. They have a hugh fence along the complete back of the store. Rob from work got to it before the store was built. There may be a way in but I don't want to wander around there and get questioned.


Guy

 

[Teegate]

Here are a few articles courtesy of the Batsto Citizen Gazette on large trees in the pines. I may have posted one of these before. Jessica and I looked for one of them on Gatto Road and we could see a large tree cut down in the yard nearby.

Click to make them larger.

http://teegate.njpinebarrens.com/12052009/1.jpg

http://teegate.njpinebarrens.com/12052009/2.jpg

http://teegate.njpinebarrens.com/12052009/3.jpg


Guy

 

[Boyd]

Cool stuff everyone - thanks!

 

[c1nj]

Boyd, The state foresty office on Atlantic Ave. in Mays Landing has copies of the book. Go in the office trailer in the back.

 

[turtle]

I found my copy....says the largest NJ white cedar (9' 2") is in Bass River State Forest....hmmmm. Largest red cedar is in front of the Seaville United Methodist Church in Cape May Co. (9' 7" circumference)....
It's been awhile since I looked through the book and interesting to wonder how many of these trees still remain?

turtle

 

[bobpbx]

I found my copy....says the largest NJ white cedar (9' 2") is in Bass River State Forest....hmmmm.

Hmmmm is right. Jeff's is bigger, by 6.75 inches (by 4 inches the way Proff. Zimmerman measures).

Jeff, did you check the hole Zimmerman made for the core sample?

 

[PBFog]

While it's not a forest, in front of the Stafford Municipal Building is a rather large, very old looking hardwood.

 

[manumuskin]

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/forest/community/bigtree_registry.html
Boyd I just found this thread.Here is a link for NJ Big Trees.The cedar record is out of date.There are two down here over a foot and a half bigger then the one listed.

 

[Boyd]

Haha, I had forgotten all about this thread.

 

[manumuskin]

I found it while searching Google for NJ big trees.I have just found a patch of giants and was wondering if there was anything about them on the net.It looks like there isn't.Must not be records but their big.

 

[Spung-Man]

This thread brings to mind a dear old friend from Green Creek, down Cape May way, Lyman Hoffman. Note his name as reporter of some of the big trees on the State list. A banker by trade, Lyman by avocation was a champion of outstanding Down Jersey trees. His inspiration came from a 1949 publication of the Cape May Geographic Society, Noteworthy Trees of Cape May County.

​

In 1999 Lyman discovered the CMGS monograph after becoming fascinated by a large Spanish Red Oak on the King’s Highway near his home. He spent the rest of his years chronicling hundreds of interesting trees in Cape May County, and self published Magnificent Trees of Cape May County (undated). It includes 38 of those still surviving (of 150) from the 1949 publication, and adds another 550 specimens to admire.

​

A sequel, Giants Among Us (undated), was also self-published to expand his scope to include, along with Cape May, the Counties of Cumberland, Atlantic, and Salem. It contains an additional 147 trees. At times artist Pat Witt joined in on his tours. I suppose his works will be hard to find, but well worth searching out to be (quoting the author), “admired by all who wish to be Tree Huggers or simply seekers of our wonderful nature.” Lyman passed away in 2008, but his spirit lives in every big tree I pass by. Cheers, Lyman!

​

S-M,
NJ Certified Tree Expert #285.

 

[bobpbx]

A worthy endeavor, keeping track of the big ones. Gets one outdoors, to different places, meeting new people, and in a relaxing manner. How can you beat that?

 

[woodjin]

Hmmmm is right. Jeff's is bigger, by 6.75 inches (by 4 inches the way Proff. Zimmerman measures).

Jeff, did you check the hole Zimmerman made for the core sample?

no, at least not in recent years

 

[bobpbx]

no, at least not in recent years

When were we there? Maybe we can squeeze about an inch more out of her now!