Author Topic: Champion Tree (Read 1427 times)

DanG · « **on:** May 11, 2007, 09:26:02 pm »

As alluded to in the "Cow oak" thread, I have learned that there is a Florida Champion tree in my neighborhood. This morning, I learned that it is a Pyramid Magnolia (Magnolia Pyramidata), which is one of the rarest of all the Magnolia family. It isn't a large tree, as trees go, but the species only grows to 20 feet or so. I had never even heard of this tree until today, so I'm quite excited to have a chance to see it. I hope to get over there this weekend to take some pics.

SwampDonkey · « **Reply #1 on:** May 11, 2007, 09:40:02 pm »

Patiently waiting.

WDH · « **Reply #2 on:** May 11, 2007, 09:40:40 pm »

It is tree that I have not personally met. As it is rare, it is likely shy too, so be on your best behavior

. Kindly ask permission for a few pics

.

DanG · « **Reply #3 on:** May 11, 2007, 09:58:55 pm »

WDH, I've got an open invite to visit, anytime. Matter of fact, the prospect of you and Dodgy Loner visiting the area was mentioned to the landowners last night, and they will welcome you with open arms. They are very proud of their 14 acres on the ravine, and are very interested in learning more about it.

My major goal right now is to get over there and catch it in bloom.

WDH · « **Reply #4 on:** May 11, 2007, 10:11:08 pm »

Great! So I will get to meet Ms. Pyramidata after all

.

Don K · « **Reply #5 on:** May 11, 2007, 10:16:50 pm »

That is one excursion I would like to tag along on. I really want to learn more about the trees I'm looking at all the time. Don

DanG · « **Reply #6 on:** May 11, 2007, 10:41:55 pm »

All ya gotta do is saddle up and come on, DonK! WDH and I have been kicking around the idea of having a Forum get-together down here, and making Dendrology the theme. That's just in the talking stage right now, but any and all ForestryForum members are always welcome to come to my place anytime!

Radar67 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 11, 2007, 11:12:41 pm »

DanG, I may take you up on that during Moultrie. I'm still kicking around the idea of bringing my trailer.

Stew

Don K · « **Reply #8 on:** May 12, 2007, 06:45:31 am »

DanG, Try to give me advance warning and I'll take vac. if necessary. I would hate to miss that. Don

Dodgy Loner · « **Reply #9 on:** May 12, 2007, 03:36:20 pm »

I had the pleasure of meeting a small family of M. pyramidata's while working on the coast of North Carolina, but their stature was unimpressive. I'd like to see how big that champ is

DanG · « **Reply #10 on:** May 12, 2007, 10:22:29 pm »

With a little bit of luck and a small effort on your part, you'll get that chance, DL.

I'm not waitin' for ya, though. The Grandifloras are blooming right now, so I figger there's a chance I might catch this guy/gal in that process. I'm gonna try to get over there tomorrow with a camera.

Say, this Champion Tree thing is catching my interest, big time. Is there a list of the reigning champs on the internet somewhere?

Stew, hang on to that trailer idea. If ya don't find something that suits yer fancy at Moultrie, Mr. Hootie will be glad to load it up for ya.

Don K, there will be plenty of advance warning if we get a get-together together. If not, you can come over anytime you find a crack in your schedule.

DanG · « **Reply #11 on:** May 12, 2007, 10:58:20 pm »

This is another place I'd like to show y'all when you come down. It is called Aspalaga Landing. It's just a spot where the road dead-ends at the river and there is a little boat ramp there, but BOY is it ever beautiful! Here's a shot of my ol' Lady enjoyin' a cold one among the trees.

WDH · « **Reply #12 on:** May 13, 2007, 12:29:44 am »

Aspalaga Landing looks like it has some interesting trees. Who knows, maybe there is a champion hiding there somewhere.

Dang, Best I can tell, Florida does not have a champion tree list on-line. Most states do.

Dodgy Loner, If you check the National Register of Big Trees, http://www.americanforests.org/resources/bigtrees/register.php?sort=&startnum=640, you have two champions on the Georgia State List that are bigger than the National Champion shown on this website......Aesculus slyvatica and Baccharis halmifolia if I am not mistaken.

Tom · « **Reply #13 on:** May 13, 2007, 09:57:55 am »

WDH,
Our champion trees may have already gone back to Ohio for the summer.

DanG · « **Reply #14 on:** May 13, 2007, 12:56:13 pm »

Thanx for the link, WDH! Looks like our Pyramid is the National Champ!

It is listed as 84 feet tall, with a 46" circumferance. That's pretty good for a tree that should only grow to 20 feet, ain't it?

WDH · « **Reply #15 on:** May 13, 2007, 01:33:51 pm »

Tom,

I guess we will have to wait until winter to measure them

.

Dodgy Loner · « **Reply #16 on:** May 14, 2007, 02:42:28 pm »

Quote from: WDH on May 13, 2007, 12:29:44 am

Dodgy Loner, If you check the National Register of Big Trees, http://www.americanforests.org/resources/bigtrees/register.php?sort=&startnum=640, you have two champions on the Georgia State List that are bigger than the National Champion shown on this website......Aesculus slyvatica and Baccharis halmifolia if I am not mistaken.

That's right. My only Nat'l Champion tree on that list is an Ilex vomitoria, even though I've nominated several that are larger than the current champs. In addition to the A. sylvatica and B. halmifolia that you mentioned, I've also nominated a Nyssa ogeche and a Crataegus viridis (and a couple others that I can't remember) that are larger than the national champs, but neither of them have made it onto the national list. Not sure why, but I haven't had the time to worry about it.

WDH · « **Reply #17 on:** May 14, 2007, 06:49:12 pm »

DL,

I bet if you sent some pics (maybe you did), that will add credibility to the claim. By the way, this Forum loves pics

.

DanG,

It there are any undiscovered Champions down your way, Dodgy Loner will sniff them out, like a Champion Tree Bloodhound. He has a nose for them

.

Dodgy Loner · « **Reply #18 on:** May 15, 2007, 04:17:36 pm »

I sent in the nominations (with pictures) to Willard Fell, who's in charge of the Champion Tree list in GA. He's supposed to forward nominations of National Champion size to the national champion list, but I guess he got too busy. Maybe on of these days I'll get around to sending my nominations straight to American Forest's national list.

WDH · « **Reply #19 on:** May 15, 2007, 09:50:09 pm »

Does American Forest keep the "official" national champion list?

DanG · « **Reply #20 on:** May 15, 2007, 11:03:55 pm »

I spent a couple or five hours perusing the lists, and came to the conclusion that it ain't a real high priority to the folks that are supposed to maintain it. Fer instance, there ain't no National Champion Sweetgum, yet Alabama and Georgia both have champions in that category. The same goes for Camphor Tree. It seems to me that if somebody is responsible for maintaining the list, it would be a simple matter to look at all the state lists and pick the biggest one.

By the way, I see that Florida has a big tree coordinator, and his phone # is listed. I think I'll call him and see if there is actually a list online, somewhere. Might be a simple matter to get the link posted on the National site.

Dodgy Loner · « **Reply #21 on:** May 16, 2007, 05:39:04 pm »

Right, American Forests (americanforests.org) keeps up with the national list. They're the ones who started the whole thing back in the 1940's.

WDH · « **Reply #22 on:** May 16, 2007, 10:10:17 pm »

Set them straight, DL

.

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Author Topic: Champion Tree (Read 1427 times)