Visiting Large Trees

As part of our tree study for the month of October, I thought it would be fun to visit some of the large trees nearby. 

On Columbus Day, the family took a hike at Bartholomew's Cobble in Sheffield, MA.  There are two notable trees here.  One, is a huge cottonwood that is hollow at the bottom.  I have read that this is the second largest cottonwood in Massachusetts.  (I found a website that indicated the largest is in Pittsfield, MA.)

B inside the cottonwood.  The record is 12 people.

The other tree that I saw, that the guys completely missed as they hiked on ahead, was a large tulip poplar.  I like tulip trees because of the beautiful flower they have in the spring and the interesting shape of their leaf.

Tulip Tree - October 2012

Tulip Tree flower and leaves - June 2009

Largest Tree in CT
A little closer to home, we visited the locally famous Pinchot Sycamore in Simsbury, CT.  Named for Gifford Pinchot, the first head of the US Forest Service, this tree is the largest tree in the state.

October 2012

More information on the Pinchot Sycamore:
CT Museum Quest
Wikipedia


Coolest Tree in CT
A little reluctantly, we made a visit to the Dewey-Granby Oak.  The Granby Oak is a white oak and is believed to be the oldest oak tree in the state (and possibly the nation) at between 400 to 500 years old.  Last October, Storm Alfred dumped a foot of snow on the area.  Most trees still had their leaves, which resulted in widespread devastation (and eight days without power for much of the state).  The Granby Oak was not spared and some of its huge limbs had to be removed and others were cabled up in the hopes of saving the tree.  I had driven by the oak in the month after the storm and was saddened to see how much damage it had suffered.  On this visit, we got out and walked around the tree.  I was relieved to see that the tree actually looks pretty good.  Though Storm Alfred may ultimately be linked with the death of the tree, it looks like it will be with us for the near future.

October 2012

Information on the Granby Oak:
Salmon Brook Historical Society
CTMuseum Quest  - At the bottom of Steve's post is a picture of what the tree looked like shortly after the storm.  It was crushing to see the great tree in this condition.  This tree is a huge part of Granby (it is on the town seal).  After going back this fall, nearly a year after the storm, I feel much better about its chances to live a little longer.
Granby Land Trust



National Champion Black Oak
And finally, we paid a visit to the national champion black oak in East Granby.  It is certainly large, but I would never have figured it for a national champion.

More about the National Champion Black Oak:
Connecticut's Notable Trees
CTMuseum Quest - Watch the first minute or so of the video Steve has linked to at the top of his post.  It is a video someone took during and after last year's October snowstorm.  You will get a real sense of what it was like sitting in the dark listening to trees and branches fall all around you.


I just love trees, especially really old, big trees.  This month's Outdoor Hour Challenge at the Handbook of Nature Study blog was a great reminder to get out and enjoy them.