Author: Site Owner

By Allie Wisniewski, American Forests

It’s no secret that nature is responsible for the majority of mind-blowing phenomena known to man. These four, however, are unique to forest ecosystems. Prepare to be amazed.

Crown Shyness

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Crown shyness, also known as canopy shyness, is observed in trees of the same species and is a particularly adorable phenomenon, in which the trees’ crowns don’t quite touch each other, forming a canopy with snaking gaps. Why does this happen, exactly? Many hypotheses have been made, but some research suggests that it’s an adaptive behavior that might help limit the spread of leaf-eating insect larvae. Lodgepole pines and black mangroves are just a couple of the species you might find displaying crown shyness. Hey, some of us are introverts. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.

The Rainbow Eucalyptus

Credit: Kim Starr

Upon first laying eyes on this tree, I was hesitant to believe it actually existed. After a bit of research, however, I discovered that it was not, in fact, an impressive Photoshop job, but a species called Eucalyptus deglupta. The unbelievably colorful tree is known for its multi-hued bark, sections of which shed at different times every year, revealing a bright green inner bark, which then changes colors from blue to purple to orange and then maroon. Although the species is planted regularly in many areas of the northern hemisphere, the unique colors of the rainbow eucalyptus are most vibrant when found inside its native range, which includes most tropical forests south of the equator.

Pando Aspen Grove

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

While this, at first glance, might look like just your average grove of aspens, it’s actually considered a single living organism. Huh? Yes, this grove of approximately 47,000 trees is classified as a clonal colony, each tree consisting of the same genetic makeup and sharing one massive underground root system. Weighing in at 6,000,000 kilograms, it’s considered the heaviest known organism. It’s not just heavy, though – it takes up some serious space, covering 107 acres. Pando, also known as the Trembling Giant, is located in Fishlake National Forest in south-central Utah.

Moroccan Tree Goats

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a… goat? If you find yourself in Morocco and happen to look up to find a herd of goats in a tree, don’t be surprised. The argan tree (responsible for argan oil) is an endangered species grown almost exclusively in Morocco, but herds of goats seem to be working toward its recovery. The animals perch in the tree and feed on the tree’s fruit, spitting the seeds onto the ground as they munch. This encourages the argan tree’s regeneration, and provides the goats with a nutritious food source. Symbiosis at its finest, my friends.

By Doyle Irvin, American Forests

Have you ever wondered what the largest tree in the United States is? Or maybe which tree would need the most amount of people to encircle it while holding hands? Well, we have some news that may help.

The American Forests Champion Tree national register has recorded the most prominent trees in our country since 1940, and includes 657 different species and champions from nearly every state. (Delaware and Wyoming are the unlucky two that have no champions.) Florida has by far the most champions and co-champions, with a whopping 127, far ahead of Texas’ second-place 83.

Champions are measured by height, circumference and spread, and these three factors determine their total point calculation. Big tree hunters have scoured the country this year and certified an impressive 129 new champions and co-champions, and we at American Forests couldn’t be prouder.

Our largest new champion this year is a baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) in Louisiana, measuring in at 91 feet tall, a massive 626 inches around, and spreading 87 feet, for a total score of 739. The smallest new champion is a clammy locust (Robinia viscosa) out of Montana, with a height of 18 feet, a circumference of 12 inches and a spread of 13 feet. Alas, this year’s new crop didn’t displace our reigning overall national champion, a giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) in California that scores 1,321 points and has been champion since our first national register in 1940.

With 21 new champions and co-champions, Virginia takes the cake as the state with the most new winners. Texas and Hawaii were tied for the most trees dethroned, at seven each.

Elderly “statesmen” trees are critical to sustaining healthy forests, and their role in the ecosystem matches their champion size. Much of the time they are hidden in the depths of the forest, and entice people to explore new wildernesses. The national register has inspired countless people across the decades to interact with nature, leading many into lives of conservation and restoration. There is a special magic to big trees, and we at American Forests are committed to their preservation.

A Whopping 109 New Champions & Co-Champions Are Included

National Champion great basin bristlecone (Pinus-langaeva).

Washington, D.C. (August 21, 2017) — The champions are here! American Forests could not be prouder to present the 2017 Champion Trees national register, chronicling the largest-known and most impressive trees of each species around the United States. Rigorous big tree hunters spanned the country and tallied a whopping 109 new champions and co-champions across the country.

The Champion Trees national register has recorded the most prominent trees in our country since 1940, and includes 657 species! The register has inspired countless people across the decades to interact with nature, leading many into lives of conservation and restoration. Elderly “statesmen” trees are critical to sustaining healthy forests, and their role in the ecosystem matches their champion size. Much of the time they are hidden in the depths of the forest, and have enticed people to explore new wildernesses to find them.

With 21 new champions and co-champions, Virginia takes the crown as the state with the most new winners. Hawaii receives the dubious honor of most trees dethroned with seven, but they also picked up 13 new champions in the process. Florida remains the state leader with 127 total champions!

Champions are measured by height, circumference and spread, and these three factors determine their total point calculation. Our largest new champion this year is a baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) in Louisiana, measuring in at 91 feet tall, a massive 626 inches around, and spreading 87 feet, for a total score of 739. The smallest new champion is a clammy locust (Robinia viscosa) out of Montana, measuring in with a height of 18 feet, a circumference of 12 inches and a spread of 13 feet. Fortunately for the elite ranks of veteran victors, this year’s new crop didn’t displace our reigning overall national champion, a giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) in California that scores 1,321 overall points and has been champion since our first national register in 1940.

We are always updating our database, and we crown champions annually, so please get involved in the search and tally of America’s largest trees. You never know, your favorite tree just may be a champion!

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ABOUT AMERICAN FORESTS

American Forests restores and protects urban and rural forests. Founded in 1875, the first national nonprofit conservation organization in the country has served as a catalyst for many key milestones in the conservation movement, including the founding of the U.S. Forest Service, the national forest and national park systems as well as leading literally thousands of forest ecosystem restoration projects and public education efforts. Working in forests in all 50 states and in 45 countries, American Forests has planted more than 50 million trees, resulting in cleaner air and drinking water, restored habitat for wildlife and fish, and the removal of millions of tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

MEDIA CONTACT

Lea Sloan | Vice President of Communications | 202.370.4509 (direct) | lsloan@americanforests.org

Find out the latest in Forest News!

Credit: Craig Nacy

California scientists push to create massive climate-research programme — Nature

An initiative backed by a coalition of California’s flagship universities proposes to fund “basic- and applied-research projects designed to help the state to grapple with the hard realities of global warming.” While not given the full go-ahead yet, reports say that Governor Jerry Brown is receptive to the idea. The hope is that their programs and research can have a cascading effect across the rest of the nation.

Montana nature reserve buys 46,000-acre ranch, advances goal of establishing wildlife park — Billings Gazette

A nature reserve in central Montana has the goal of creating a wildlife park the size of Connecticut, and recently bought a 46,000 acre ranch in pursuance of that goal. Now totaling nearly 400,000 acres, the reserve plans to provide habitat for more than 10,000 buffalo within a decade. Nature reserves are some of the last bastions for wildlife in North America, providing much needed safety from human encroachment.

Rio Didn’t Plant the 24 Million Trees Promised to Offset Olympic Environmental Impacts — The Weather Channel

Much ado was made about the “Seeds of Hope,” Brazil’s effort to offset the environmental impacts of hosting the 2016 Olympic Games. Eleven thousand athletes proceeded with seeds of Brazilian trees in a symbolic representation of the 24 million trees that would eventually be planted. As yet, those 24 million trees are still only symbolic, and, on top of that, many of the 12,000 trees already planted in Olympic Park for the games are already dying from lack of care.

Canada’s forests are burning, and the smoke is drifting into the Arctic — Mashable

Roughly 2.2 million acres of Canadian forests have burned this fire season, sending smoke into the Arctic. “Never mind the upcoming total solar eclipse — in some places, the smoke is so thick it could turn day into night,” says Mike Fromm from the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory. NASA claims that the smoke has set a record for its thickness.

Poland storms kill six, destroy tens of thousands of trees — BBC

Konrad Tomaszewski, chief forester of Poland, called the storms “undoubtedly the worst disaster in the history of Polish – and perhaps even European – forestry.” These are not the forests that Poland has recently been criticized by the EU for planning to log them. The future of Poland’s forests looks pretty grim.

Thought the emerald ash borer was bad? Meet this lurking menace — The Indianapolis Star

The Asian long-horned beetle is closing in on Indiana, having already killed thousands of trees in Chicago and Cincinnati. Projects are such that the beetle could potentially wipe out as much as 20 percent of Indianapolis’ urban forests, given that the beetle targets elms, ash and maple. “One guy with the wrong firewood can move it anywhere in the state or the country,” says Megan Abraham.

By Lindsey Miller-Voss, American Forests

American Forests’ third annual Forests in Focus photo contest has been going all summer and will run for a few more weeks. While our panel of judges, including our Artist-in-Residence, Chuck Fazio, and world-class big mountain skier and Eddie Bauer guide Lynsey Dyer, will have the final say on which photographers win, our staff has been having fun checking out the new entries as they come in. Check out a few of them below and make sure to get your photos entered before Sept. 5!

“After the Fire- Avalanche Lillies” by Paul Glasser

“Dripping Moose” by Joaquin Baldwin

“Shenandoah” by Chris Laskey

“Steller’s Jay” by Adam Roades

“Through the Cypress” by John Harvey

By Doyle Irvin, American Forests

These forest-dwellers have mastered the art of blending in, relying on stealth to survive — or to hunt. Here are seven examples of master spies from every corner of the planet.

Knobbly Crab Spider

Credit: brisbaneinsects.com

The knobbly crab spider lives on the east coast of Australia. They nest inside dead tree branches and are described as slow moving and relatively timid.

The knobbly crab spider lives on the East coast of Australia. They nest inside dead tree branches and are described as slow moving and relatively timid.

Dead Leaf Mantis

The dead leaf mantis is native to Asia, but has become a common collector pet for many entomologists.

Potoo

Credit: Bart van Dorp

The potoo ranges from Argentina to Mexico, and spends all day lounging in camouflage before they hunt insects at night! These monogamous flyers lay a single spotted egg when reproducing.

Baron Caterpillar

Credit: Wohin Auswandern

The common baron caterpillar is one of the best camouflagers around. Before it becomes a more distinctive butterfly, they blend into the background in Indian and Southeast Asian forests.

Great Horned Owl

Credit: nature80020/flickr

Great horned owls are native to the Americas and are incredibly good at camouflage.

Leaf Katydid

Katydids are named for the sound they make, which sounds like “Ka-ty-did.” Their wings allow them to fly from predators.

Mossy Leaf-Tailed Gecko

The mossy leaf-tailed gecko is essentially invisible in its native forests of Madagascar. It can change its skin color to resemble its surroundings.