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Politics : Stockman Scott's Political Debate Porch -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: lurqer who wrote (43412)	4/22/2004 9:48:52 AM
From: Wharf Rat	Respond to of 89467

We grow them bigger than Humboldt World's Tallest Tree Near Ukiah Ukiah- A strapping prince of a redwood growing in splendid isolation 12 miles west of Ukiah now holds the title of being the world's tallest tree. Towering 367.5 feet, the "Mendocino Tree" at remote Montgomery Woods State Reserve has been officially decreed the tallest living thing by state park rangers and the San Francisco-based Save the Redwoods League. The honor until recently had been held by the older and more massive "Tall Tree" in Redwood National Park in remote Del Norte County, which once stood 367.8 feet tall. But the aging tree lost 10 feet during a recent winter storm, dropping it from the top 10 list of the tallest trees found around the globe. Results of the new measurements, done in mid-March by a special team led by Humboldt State University professor Steve Sillet, were documented on videotape and authenticated by the "Guinness Book of World Records." But until now, the results have been closely guarded by state park rangers and Save the Redwoods League because of fears an influx of curiosity seekers might trample a fragile environment that for centuries has nourished the new champion, estimated to be 600 to 800 years old. Park rangers say there will be no official marker identifying the Mendocino Tree, which despite its grandeur is barely distinguishable from an 80-acre cluster of two dozen or more surrounding big trees standing 350 feet or taller. Nearby is the so-called "Swamp Tree," whose 363.4-foot height also makes it one of the tallest trees in the world. The Montgomery Woods giants are encircled by a mile-long path looping through sorrel and sword ferns and bordered by wild iris and columbine. Access is limited by a steep and winding county-maintained road. Before reaching Montgomery Woods, Orr Springs Road goes into a series of hairpin turns that are virtually impossible to navigate in RVs or tour buses. As a result, Montgomery Woods is the least visited of Mendocino County's redwood preserves. Some local residents determined to keep it that way have started tearing down roadside state park signs in hopes of keeping the reserve's isolation to themselves. Supervising state park ranger Karl Poppelreiter said he's not happy with the vandalism, but he can understand why the reserve has become a local icon. "Montgomery Woods is a truly unique place. I'm even worried about the attention the tallest tree might bring to it," he said. Save the Redwoods League representatives expressed similar sentiment. "The measuring of the new tallest tree is an exciting reminder of the longevity and value of the redwood ecosystem. But we sincerely hope visitors to the reserve can appreciate the tree without jeopardizing its health and long-term survival," said League spokeswoman Marti Harris. Poppelreiter said while the 1,300-acre Montgomery Woods reserve is relatively small compared to other state and federal redwood parks; it's the most ecologically significant grove of ancient redwoods between Santa Cruz and Mendocino counties. "It's is an extremely unique and sensitive area," he said. By age alone, the Mendocino Tree is a prince among ancient redwoods preserved in California parks. Many of the giants are older and sometimes twice as large in circumference as the Mendocino Tree. The biggest known redwood is the "Del Norte Titan" in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. Although only 307 feet tall, it measures 23.6 feet in diameter at its base. If logged and milled, it could produce enough lumber to build nearly 40 houses. But thanks to a microclimate that experts say is unique to Montgomery Woods, the Mendocino Tree now towers above all others. Tucked in a ruggedly remote area between Ukiah and the Mendocino Coast, the Mendocino Tree and the other giants in Montgomery Woods are viewed as a living testament to Mendocino County's redwood heritage. Hendy State Redwoods Park and the Mailliard Reserve, both in Anderson Valley, contain the only other significant stands of ancient redwoods left in the county. PHOTOCAPTION Ranger Karl Poppelreiter has to stand back 30 feet and crane his neck to take in the world's tallest tree, in Montgomery Woods west of Ukiah. PHOTOCAPTION Poppelreiter walks around the tallest tree on Thursday. As tall as it is, the tree's diameter is small compared to others in the same grove. The grove has more than two dozen redwoods that top out above 350 feet. vichysprings.com