So I went back up north for “vacation” that turned into some more field work but who am I to complain.  As the name of this blog post may infer, I came across some monstrous blackgums, who were most certainly missed in the widespread logging of the east coast! Yay!  Here’s some info on my stops and our honking trees:

1. Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania

Huge incredible thank you to Kristie from Longwood for showing me around Longwood and especially showing me their blackgum trees!  I was very content with the first tree we came by that was about 55cm in diameter. Then we were having trouble locating the next trees because they were…. 100+ centimeters in diameter… EACH?! One around 100 itself, and then the other at 120cm.  How incredible.  These trees were missed during logging of the property, and are likely around 350-400 years old. Wowza. Certifiable old growth individuals (in my opinion).

2. Vernon Blackgum Swamps

Wowza! One of three Class 1 Wetlands in Vermont, this swamp holds many blackgum trees that completely escaped logging during early European colonization.  The ridged bark on some of these trees… incredible.  Some individuals within this forest have been cored and are estimated to be ~450+ years old. How amazing to be within such a beautiful (and healthy) swamp and forest! Got to bring Mom along to help me out with some of the work too. She makes a great and responsible field tech!

3. CT State Champion Tree

Another wowza……….. CT state champion tree open grown in a meadow in Franklin CT! Met with Mr. Ayer who’s lived on the property his whole life, and his great grandfather remembered the tree as a young child. How incredible.

The name of this blog post is derived from Glee. I thought it was funny <3.