Swanton Pacific Ranch Legacy Trees
Swanton Pacific Ranch Legacy Trees
View from the Base of Al’s Arch Swanton Pacific Ranch California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Written by Andrew Smith and Steve Auten 2012; revised by Brady Dubois 2015
Table of Contents
Table of Figures……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 4 Abstract………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 5 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………. 6 Goal…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 9 Methodology……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 9 Results ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 12
LT-‐1…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….. 13
LT-‐2 “Pitchfork” ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 14
LT-‐3 “Tuning Fork” ……………………………………………………………………………………………………15
LT-‐4 ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 16
LT-‐5 “Can Opener a.k.a. Slug Hotel” ……………………………………………………………………….. 17
LT-‐6 “El Tenedor del Diablo” …………………………………………………………………………………… 18
LT-‐7…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……. 19
LT-‐8 “Thanks Emma” ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 20
LT-‐9 “Castle” …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 21
LT-‐10 “Lockheed Gambit” ……………………………………………………………………………………….22
LT-‐11 “T.V. Tree” …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 23
LT-‐12 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 24
LT-‐13……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 25
LT-‐14 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 26
LT-‐15 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 27
LT-‐16 “Lucky” ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 28
LT-‐17 “Al’s Arch” …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 29
LT-‐18 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 30
LT-‐19 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 31
LT-‐20 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..32
LT-‐21 “ ‘A’ for the day” …………………………………………………………………………………………. 33
LT-‐22…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 34
LT-‐23 “Moss Landing Citadel” ………………………………………………………………………………. 35
LT-‐24 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 36
LT-‐25 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 37 2
LT-‐26……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 38
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 39 World Record Torreya Californica Obituary by Jim West …………………………………………………. 39
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Table of Figures
Figure 1. Turn of the Century clearcut in San Vicente Creek……………………………………………………7 Figure 2. View from the base of "Can-‐Opener" with a red arrow showing the location of the "Slug Hotel"…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..8 Figure 3. Map of the high conservation value forests on Swanton Pacific Ranch…………………..10 Figure 4. 1-‐1/4" circular aluminum tag…………………………………………………………………………………11 Figure 5. View from below LT-‐1……………………………………………………………………………………………13 Figure 6. View from the base of LT-‐2………………………………………………………………………………..….14 Figure 7. Looking up at the fork in LT-‐3………………………………………………………………………………..15 Figure 8. View from below LT-‐4……………………………………………………………………………………………16 Figure 9. View from the base of LT-‐5……………………………………………………………………………………17 Figure 10. Looking at the multiple forks of LT-‐6……………………………………………………………………18 Figure 11. A large cavity seen at the base of LT-‐7…………………………………………………………………19 Figure 12. The enormous crown and trunk of LT-‐8, the only legacy Shreve oak……………………20 Figure 13. View of LT-‐9 from Little Creek Road…………………………………………………………………….21 Figure 14. Uphill view of LT-‐10…………………………………………………………………………………………….22 Figure 15. Full profile of LT-‐11……………………………………………………………………………………………..23 Figure 16. The exposed roots and base of LT-‐12…………………………………………………………………..24 Figure 17. Side view of LT-‐13………………………………………………………………………………………………..25 Figure 18. Looking up the stem of LT-‐14……………………………………………………………………………….26 Figure 19. View of LT-‐15 from upslope…………………………………………………………………………………27 Figure 20. Photo of LT-‐16 and all of its new growth………………………………………………………………28 Figure 21. View of LT-‐17 and its unique structure and arch…………………………………………………..29 Figure 22. Photo of LT-‐18, the largest Buckeye in California………………………………………………….30 Figure 23. From the goose-‐pen, looking up the base of LT-‐19……………………………………………….31 Figure 24. A view of the albino cluster on LT-‐20……………………………………………………………………32 Figure 25. Photo of the impressive diameter for the second growth LT-‐21 …………………………..33 Figure 26. Photo of LT-‐22, the only classified Douglas-‐fir………………………………………………………34 Figure 27. View of the immense size of LT-‐23……………………………………………………………………….35 Figure 28. A look at the fire scar on the base of LT-‐24…………………………………………………………..36 Figure 29. View of the unique top formation of LT-‐25 ………………………………………………………….37 Figure 30. A photo of the face-‐cut at the base of LT-‐25…………………………………………………………37 Figure 31. A look at the burned base of LT-‐26 ……………………………………………………………………..38
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Abstract The Swanton Pacific Ranch Legacy Tree report was created to identify, document, and protect legacy trees as defined by the Swanton Pacific Ranch’s (SPR) old growth and legacy tree policy: “No old growth or legacy trees live or dead will be harvested on lands of Swanton Pacific Ranch. Old growth and legacy characteristic redwood trees can be described as being approximately 60 inches at DBH and were present in the dominant overstory during the late successional stages of forest development of the first-‐ growth stands (pre 1800's). These trees have outward indicators such as platy bark with deep fissures, basal hollows with fire scars of multiple ages, large complex branching structures, flat tops, and limbs at least 8-‐10 inches in diameter that provide an opportunity for platforms/nesting. In very rare instances, an old-‐growth or legacy tree might have to be cut for workplace or public safety issue.” See the link for a copy of this policy: http://www.spranch.org/forest_management.ldml.
One stand of old growth on SPR has already been protected through Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification in 2004 and the SPR Non-‐Industrial Timber Management Plan (NTMP) in 2008. This Legacy Tree report finalizes protection of 26 other trees on Swanton Pacific Ranch. This includes 23 redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens), 1 Shreve oak (Quercus parvula var. shrevei), 1 California Buckeye (Aeseculus californica), and 1 Douglas-‐fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii). The 23 redwood trees range from 56 inches to 158 inches in diameter with tree heights ranging from 88 feet to over 200 feet. The California Buckeye and the Shreve oak are the current State record holders for their respective species.
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Introduction Swanton Pacific Ranch (SPR) is a 3,282 acre working ranch that also acts as an educational and research facility managed by the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. The Ranch was donated to Cal Poly by Al Smith in 1993. Al was a Cal Poly graduate, former mayor of Los Gatos, and founder of Orchard Supply Hardware. He wanted to provide Cal Poly Students and faculty with a unique interdisciplinary environment to foster the “learn by doing” philosophy forever. One of the interdisciplinary environments at SPR is the working forest, comprising approximately 1,435 acres of redwood/Douglas-‐fir forest with smaller components of hardwoods, Monterey pine, and Knobcone pine. The property is used for numerous research projects and educational opportunities and has been actively managed since 1987. Property management is guided by the Non-‐industrial Timber Management Plan (approved in 2008) and Forest Stewardship Council certification. Swanton Pacific Ranch and the surrounding areas in Santa Cruz County have a long history of forestry and agriculture dating back before the turn of the 20th century. Between 1905 and 1923 the area was heavily logged by the San Vicente Lumber Company who clearcut most of the old growth trees in SPR’s surrounding watershed. Environmental concerns and the resource values of massive old growth trees were looked upon differently back then. Booming towns and cities needed resources to build, especially places like San Francisco suffering from the 1906 earthquake. Figure 1 shows the aftermath of historical clearcuts in the adjacent San Vicente Creek watershed. Very little timber was left standing after this time period and the remaining timber was difficult to access and/or of poor quality. Portions of SPR were logged again from 1950 – 1960 harvesting mostly Douglas-‐fir for split box products. The residual old growth trees left behind, aside from already protected stands of old growth on SPR, are considered very important both locally and regionally, and especially to Swanton Pacific Ranch.
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Figure 1. Turn of the Century clearcut in San Vicente Creek.
In 2004 Swanton Pacific Ranch (SPR) applied for and received a “well managed” certification from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). FSC certification is a rigorous evaluation process requiring an audit of lands and practices of a forest landowner. This audit evaluates the forest landowner against 10 Principles and Criteria (P&C) covering a variety of social, biological, and environmental componets. See www.fsc.org for a copy of the P&C. Each year the forest landowner must go through an annual audit and every five years a forest landowner must be re-‐certified against all 10 P&C again! Cal Poly was the first forestry school in the Western United States to receive this distinctive honor. Regarding Legacy Trees, Principle 6 specifically sets guidelines on environmental impacts; “Forest management shall conserve biological diversity and its associated values, water resources, soils, and unique and fragile ecosystems and landscapes, and, by so doing, maintain the ecological functions and the integrity of the forest.” One specific requirement in Principle 6 is an excerpt from 6.3.f.a – “Legacy trees where present are not harvested”. 7
Legacy trees provide an essential role in the ecosystem as habitat for many different kinds of wildlife including but not limited to birds, bats, slugs (“Can Opener, a.k.a Slug Hotel”. Figure 2), and mammals. The large limb structure that is often associated with these trees can provide ideal habitat for endangered species such as the Marbled Murrelet. The large cavities and hollows are common place for wood rats and bats. Other benefits of Legacy Trees come from their aesthetic value mostly due to the massive size and unique structure of each tree. These trees promote and preserve a piece of history from the region and for Santa Cruz County. These legacy trees are historical road maps giving records of events such as fires and droughts.
Figure 2. V iew from the base of "Can-‐Opener" with a red arrow showing the location of the "Slug Hotel".
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Goal The goal of the legacy tree report is to document and protect these 26 legacy trees on SPR forever.
Methodology Specific criteria were set based on SPR’s “old growth and legacy tree policy” to evaluate whether or not a tree should be designated as a Legacy Tree: •
Legacy trees must be at least 60-‐inches in diameter at breast height and exhibit platy and deeply furrowed bark (*LT-‐20 was exempt from these requirements)
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Legacy trees should display basal hollows and fire scars of multiple ages
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Legacy trees should have large limbs approximately 8-‐10 inches in diameter or greater
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Legacy trees should be unique and historically significant (Pre-‐1800’s)
The location of most candidate legacy trees were known to SPR and others affiliated with the ranch. Approximately 8 days of field exploration were spent re-‐locating these candidate trees and searching for others candidates that might be unknown on the remainder of the property. This reconnaissance included all of the forested area on Swanton Pacific and excluded the Second Growth Reserve, the General Smith Stand, and the Valencia Creek Property (Figure 3).
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Legend General Smith Stand Heritage Tree Stand Monterey pine Second Growth Reserve SPR Forest Highway 1 Paved Road Unpaved Road Railroad Perennial Stream Intermittent Stream
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Swanton Pacific Ranch NRM Department Cal Poly-SLO Dec. 2005
Figure 3. Map of the high conservation value forests on Swanton Pacific Ranch.
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Field crews identified legacy tree candidates and then carried out the following measurements and evaluations: •
Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) was measured on the uphill side of the tree using a 100 foot loggers tape
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Figure 4. 1 -‐1/4" circular aluminum tag.
Tree height and Height to Crown Base (HTCB) were measured using an Impulse LR 200 laser rangefinder
•
Structural characteristics and uniqueness were evaluated such as fire scar, limb diameter, basal cavities, platforms, buttressing, deeply fissured platy bark, estimated age, basal cavities, and known history
If it was decided that the tree should be designated as a legacy tree, the following information on the legacy tree was recorded: •
DBH, tree height, and HTCB were recorded
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A general description of the tree and its unique characteristics were recorded
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Garmin GPSmap 60CSx recorded its latitude and longitude
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The tree was marked with an LT number (e.g. LT-‐1 or Legacy Tree number) on both sides of a 1-‐ 1/4” circular aluminum tag
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Expansive photo sets were also taken of each legacy tree
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Some trees were given names depending on the history of the tree and its unique values
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See Figure 5 for a location map of the 18 legacy trees on Swanton Pacific Ranch
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Results A total of 26 trees were selected for legacy tree status, 23 redwoods from 56-‐158 inches in Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) with tree heights ranging from 88 to over 200 feet tall. One State record California Buckeye tree and one State Record Shreve oak listed on the Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute web-‐site (http://www.ufei.org/) under “Big Trees”. One large Douglas-‐fir, that was the largest of its species found on SPR. The following results document specific information on each legacy tree.
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LT-‐1 Species: Redwood Diameter at Breast Height (DBH): 93.8” Tree Height (TH): 148’ Height to Crown Base (HTCB):37’ Description: Legacy Tree 1 (LT-‐1) easily qualified based on the criteria and displayed the ideal platy and furrowed bark. It also exhibits large limbs, some of which were in excess of 24 inches. The main stem forks in two places at 43 feet and 62 feet from the ground. There are multiple cavities at the base of the tree including a second growth offshoot below DBH that can be seen in Figure 5. These cavities are burnt out and were most likely developed from successive fires.
Figure 5. V iew from below LT-‐1.
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LT-‐2 “Pitchfork” Species: Redwood DBH: 91.6” Height: 177’ HTCB: 33’ Description: Legacy Tree 2 has deeply furrowed bark along the entire stem. Some unique structural characteristics of this tree include a buttress coming off the main stem at 35 feet as well as a fork in the main stem at 36 feet. The limbs are medium sized with diameters ranging from 6-‐10 inches with the exception of the large buttress and two other limbs extending off of the main fork. A large cavity is also present on this tree and currently inhabits a large wood rat nest inside. The name “pitchfork” was given because the top forks into four different tops resembling a pitchfork. Figure 7. overlapped photos of LT-‐2
Figure 6. V iew from the base of LT-‐2.
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LT-‐3 “Tuning Fork” Species: Redwood DBH: 125.5” Height: 181’ HTCB: 64’ Description: Legacy Tree 3 is characterized by a large burnt cat face on the trail side including platy and furrowed bark. The diameter and height of this tree make it one of the 4 largest legacy trees on the property. Some of the structural characteristics that make this tree unique include a buttress at 23 feet and a fork top at 21 feet. These characteristics lend itself to the name “tuning fork” given by local ecological and botanical expert Jim West. Although there are a few large limbs to provide potential habitat, most of the tree is covered by small gnarled limbs that create a densely closed canopy.
Figure 7. Looking up at the fork in LT-‐3.
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LT-‐4 Species: Redwood DBH: 71.7” Height: 118’ HTCB: 45’ Description: Legacy Tree 4 is moderately platy and becomes less platy and increasingly hairy further up the tree. The bark on the entire tree is deeply furrowed. The structure is less unique then others because of its solid, cylindrical trunk which curves at 65 feet up the bole of the tree. Most of the limbs are medium sized with the exception of a couple broken off larger limbs. There are also clusters of smaller dead limbs growing out of this tree which are sometimes called “witches brooms”. A cavity on the uphill side of the tree has a large wood rat nest in the center. Figure 8. V iew from below LT-‐4.
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LT-‐5 “Can Opener a.k.a. Slug Hotel” Species: Redwood DBH: 109.3” Height: 154’ HTCB: 60’ Description: Legacy Tree 5 has mostly platy bark with a component of 2nd growth bark on one of the offshoots. The bark is also furrowed but with a considerable amount of rot at the base. The main stem forks into a large buttress at 45 feet and then is broken off at 54 feet giving it the appearance of a massive can opener. It has medium size limbs averaging approximately 8 inches in diameter. The slug hotel part of the name comes from the presence of multiple large slug trails on the uphill side of the tree that travel approximately 15 feet up from the base to an opening seen in Figure 2.
Figure 9. V iew from the base of LT-‐5.
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LT-‐6 “El Tenedor del Diablo” Species: Redwood DBH: 158” Height: 184’ HTCB: 66’ Description: Legacy Tree 6 has platy bark and is deeply furrowed except on the uphill side of the tree. The uphill side of the tree has a large burnt cat face that travels up the face of the tree to the first fork at approximately 30 feet. Another fork occurs at 45 feet up the tree giving it the appearance of a triton fork, hence the name “El Tenedor del Diablo”, which translates to the devils fork. A buttress is also seen stemming from the base of the tree just above the DBH adding to its massive diameter. El Tenedor del Diablo is the largest redwood on the property with a DBH of 158 inches. Figure 10. Looking at the multiple forks of LT-‐6.
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LT-‐7 Species: Redwood DBH: 124” Height: 164’ HTCB: 60’ Description: Along with the platy bark structure present on other Legacy trees, Legacy Tree 7 also has an enormous open cavity that could easily fit several people inside. A fork in the main stem can be seen at 50 feet up with multiple large, gnarled limbs present. Some limb diameters are in excess of 3 feet. A massive poison oak stem is present on the other side of this tree that and is approximately 8 inches in diameter.
Figure 11. A large cavity seen at the base of LT-‐7.
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LT-‐8 “Thanks Emma” Species: Shreve Oak DBH: 77.6 inches Height: 89 feet Crown Width: 75 feet Description: Legacy Tree 8 was chosen because it is possibly one of the largest Shreve oaks recorded in California. It was originally thought to be a Coast Live oak because of its massive size and crown but upon further review of specific characteristics like leaf venation and bark it was determined to be a Shreve oak. The crown size and vigor
Figure 12. The enormous crown and trunk of LT-‐8, the only legacy Shreve oak.
is one characteristic that makes this tree so magnificent. The average width of the crown was measured at approximately 75 feet making this Shreve oak almost as wide as it is tall. One possible explanation for its extreme growth is the surrounding growing conditions; located on a very productive stream terrace and an area of suspected Native American activity. Typically areas that have evidence of Native American activity produce rich, productive soil often high in nutrients and organic matter. The main vegetation associated with the area includes poison oak, California blackberry, and stinging nettle. The name “Thanks Emma” comes from its location off of a trail that Emma McCrary designed and constructed towards the end of her trail building career. She was known for building 100’s of miles of some of the most spectacular trails in Santa Cruz County with her husband Bud McCrary.
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LT-‐9 “Castle” Species: Redwood DBH: 72” Height 208’ HTCB: 67’ Description: Legacy Tree 9 is also known as the “Castle” tree because of its large forked limbs resembling spires on a castle. The bark is not quite as platy as other legacy trees but is deeply furrowed up the entire bole. The limbs are large, long, and very low hanging as seen in the photo. Although this trees diameter is not as grand as the other legacy trees (only 72 inches) its height makes it the tallest legacy tree on the property. The extraordinary height is most likely due to its proximity to Little Creek, a constant water source. There is a fork in the bole at 98 feet with two main stems continuing up another 110 feet, adding to its castle like appearance.
Figure 13. V iew of LT-‐9 from Little Creek Road.
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LT-‐10 “Lockheed Gambit” Species: Redwood DBH: 85.5” Height: 102’ HTCB: 54’ Description: The base of Legacy Tree 10 was badly burnt in the 2009 Lockheed fire leaving much of the tree extremely charred. The downhill side of the tree’s base has a hollowed out cavity while the uphill side of the tree has a heavily burnt cat face. The limbs are quite large and are characterized by one massive buttress extending out towards Little Creek road and then bending upwards at a 90-‐degree angle. Because of its extremely burnt trunk and evidence of dieback there was concern that the tree might be significantly damaged following the Lockheed Fire. The name “Lockheed Gambit” comes from its survival of the 2009 Lockheed Fire. In part due to the severity of burn, but also because it was scheduled for removal by fire crews. The concern was that it might fall on a heavily traveled seasonal road. SPR negotiated with fire crews suggesting that the tree would likely survive
Figure 14. Uphill view of LT-‐10.
based on burn damage evaluation and that it was not tall enough to hit the road. It remains to be seen whether SPR was right or not. Survival of LT-‐10 is a bit of a gamble, making the name “Lockheed Gambit” somewhat fitting.
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LT-‐11 “T.V. Tree” Species: Redwood DBH: 148.7” Height: 107’ HTCB: 47’ Description: Legacy Tree 11’s most notable features include multiple large burls starting at the base and extending up the bole in multiple locations. The largest burl at the base of the tree is one of the main reasons it has such a massive diameter. A burnt out cavity can be seen approximately 15 feet up from the base of the tree, starting just above the first burl. One other unique addition to this tree is a set of broken ladders attached to different parts of the stem leading to the top of the tree. Although the ladder is definitely not functional it actually helps tell the story of how and why this tree was named the T.V. Tree. The story goes that a few guys lived on the ranch in the 1950-‐60’s era and one bet the other that if they put a T.V. antenna in the top of this tree that they would get T.V. reception. They bet a six pack of beer on it and one of the guys
Figure 15. Full profile of LT-‐11.
spent weeks building the ladder all the way to the top of the tree. Finally making it to the top of the tree he spent another few days putting up the antennae. Unfortunately for him the antennae did not work. The bet was lost and the other guy was paid a six pack of beer.
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LT-‐12 Species: Redwood DBH: 84.5” Height: 133’ HTCB: 50’ Description: Legacy Tree 12 has platy bark as well as large exposed roots on the downhill side of the tree. Overall it has relatively good form and structure with very little defect except for a large cavity at the base of the tree. The limb size ranges between 4 and 8 inches. Figure 16. The exposed roots and base of LT-‐12.
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LT-‐13 Species: Redwood DBH: 71” Height: 145’ HTCB: 52’ Description: Legacy Tree 13 has a sizeable burnt out cavity located at the base that extends up the tree about 20 feet and includes a large wood rat nest inside. Along with platy and furrowed bark, poison oak vines can be seen climbing up each side of the tree. The large redwood limbs are approximately 16 inches in diameter. It is suspected this tree is preferred habitat for some species because it is the tallest tree for one-‐half mile radially and it had a fresh barn owl carcass at the base. It is suspected that the kill may have occurred over territory between a great horned owl and the barn owl. The barn owl lost in this case.
Figure 17. Side view of LT-‐13.
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LT-‐14 Species: Redwood DBH: 88.7” Height: 144’ HTCB: 63’ Description: Legacy Tree 14 was severely burned in the Lockheed Fire with scorch heights reaching 85 feet. At the base there is a massive cavity that looks more like a cave with approximate dimensions of 4 feet in diameter and 15 feet tall. It has medium sized, long limbs with average diameters of about 8 inches that drape downwards. There is a broken top at 79 feet, which then forks into two separate stems extending upwards.
Figure 18. Looking up the stem of LT-‐14.
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LT-‐15 Species: Redwood DBH: 61.9” Height: 181’ HTCB: 103’ Description: Legacy Tree 15 is in close proximity to LT-‐14 and was also severely burned. It has platy, heavily burnt bark with a scorch height that reaches 68 feet. There are multiple medium sized burls beginning at 30 ft. up from the base and continuing up to a broken top at 77 feet. The entire bole is covered in knots giving it an incredibly bumpy appearance. The limbs are medium sized with average diameters of approximately 6-‐8 inches with evidence of larger limbs that have historically broken off.
Figure 19. V iew of LT-‐15 from upslope.
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LT-‐16 “Lucky” Species: Redwood DBH: 86.5” Tree Height: 166’ HTCB: None Description: Legacy Tree 16 is one of the more unique old growth redwood trees on Swanton Pacific Ranch because of its location and appearance. It is located at the entrance to a helicopter landing utilized during the Lockheed Fire salvage harvest. Because it was so severely burned in the fire there is no existing crown to measure HTCB. The only evidence of its survival is the presence of new growth stemming off the bole beginning at 65 feet, giving it the appearance of a colossal pipe cleaner. The entire 166 feet of this tree were completely scorched during the fire. There is a massive cavity at the base that gives way to a cavernous area inside with a 40 inch opening that travels approximately 20 feet up the center of the tree. The name “Lucky” comes from the trees survival through complete scorching and from the helicopter crews who believed it might become a safety concern during operations and wanted it removed. After further investigation and a little convincing on the part of SPR at the time, the helicopter crew agreed that if the tree fell that it would fall away from active flight operations. LT-‐
Figure 20. Photo of LT-‐16 and all of its new growth.
16 not only survived a complete scorching from the Lockheed Fire but also from potentially being felled for safety reasons making it quite the “Lucky” tree. 28
LT-‐17 “Al’s Arch” Species: Redwood DBH: 120.2” Height: 145’ HTCB: 93’ Description: The final redwood Legacy Tree that was recorded on Swanton Pacific Ranch is located near a pond just northeast of the Al Smith house. It has platy and deeply furrowed bark, consistent with each of the legacy trees as well as an extremely burnt base with a scorch height that reaches 64 feet up. The main stem of the tree splits into two separate boles at approximately 15 feet with each stem having a diameter of at least 40 inches. The bole on the uphill side is broken off at 64 feet while the other continues up to a total tree height of 145 feet. There are multiple large limbs broken off towards the lower half of the tree that appear to be up to 24 inches in diameter. The base is so badly burnt that an arch has formed from a hollowed out cavity that connects one side of the tree to the other. The burnt out arch has a diameter inside of approximately 6 feet and a height of 15 feet. Due to its proximity to Al’s house and the incredible arch at the bottom of the tree, it only seemed fitting to call this tree “Al’s Arch”.
Figure 21. V iew of LT-‐17 and its unique structure and arch.
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LT-‐18 Species: California Buckeye DBH: 62.6” Height: 55’ HTCB: 20’ Crown Width: 60’ Description: According to the official registry of California big trees this buckeye is the current state record holder, making it the largest buckeye in the State. The trunk of this tree is extremely gnarled and twisted which
Figure 22. Photo of LT-‐18, the largest Buckeye in California.
creates little hollows and cavities that can be seen all around the base of the tree. At about 8 feet the base of the tree forks into three separate stems all roughly the same size. The limbs are almost completely covered in moss starting at about 4 feet from the base of the trunk. The smaller limbs are long, crooked and appear as though their being pulled towards the ground. This tree has a well-‐ balanced crown giving it a relatively symmetrical structure. This tree stands next to an old building that used to be an old kitchen and mess hall for the Boy Scouts in the early 1900’s. Because of the gnarled nature of this tree and the close proximity to young children it most assuredly had small children hanging from its limbs.
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LT-‐19 Species: Redwood DBH: 95.5” Height: 159’ HTCB: 81’ Description: Legacy Tree 19 (LT-‐19) was the first tree to be identified on the Valencia Creek property just north of Haines Ranch Road on a ridge top. LT-‐19 has the characteristics of fissured and platy bark. The tree has a prominent lean with a majority of the limbs opposite of the lean on the southeastern side. LT-‐19 shows many signs of disturbance that is shown through characteristics on the tree, but also around the tree. This tree has a large goose-‐pen, caused by fire located at the base. The height of this
Figure 23. From the goose-‐pen, looking u p the base of LT-‐19
opening is 23 feet tall, 4 feet wide and has a depth of 3 ½ feet. Additional signs of fire are shown through the three fire spikes that occur on the tree that vary in age, size, and height, with heights off the ground of 6, 13, and 33 feet. Others signs of disturbance on the tree are a large burl located one-‐third of the way up trunk, and a broken top, with the possible broken top located on the ground on the side of the tree with the lean. Surrounding the tree is numerous large burnt stumps, which shows further evidence of fire but also logging.
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LT-‐20 Species: Redwood DBH: 56.2” Height: 145’ HTCB: 23’ Description: Legacy Tree 20 (LT-‐20) is located on the shoulder of a north facing aspect of Bean Hill. This tree is a very special case and is exempt from most categories that make a tree a Legacy Tree. LT-‐20 is a second growth tree with no large branches, no distinct bark characteristics, and a DBH smaller than 60 inches. The reason why LT-‐ 20 is designated as a Legacy Tree is due to a large albino cluster that occurs 27 feet up the tree, that is 8 feet tall and 12 feet wide. However, if this cluster was to ever fall off, LT-‐20 would be removed from the Legacy Tree list and will be a candidate for harvesting.
Figure 24. A view of the albino cluster on LT-‐20
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LT-‐21 “ ‘A’ for the day” Species: Redwood DBH: 75.7” Height: 164’ HTCB: 16’ Description: LT-‐21 is an impressive second-‐growth tree, boasting a very large DBH for a tree of its age. This tree is open grown, only surrounded by hardwood species occurring on a southeast aspect. Most of the limbs occur on the downhill side and droop all the way to the ground. The tree shows slight signs of fire, with low severity burn marks on the base that go 4 to 5 feet up the base. The significance of this tree and the reason for its nickname is due to Forester and Cal Poly Professor Dr. Doug Piirto. When marking this unit for harvest he insisted on leaving this tree, so in his honor it has been deemed a Legacy Tree.
Figure 25. Photo of the impressive diameter for the second growth LT-‐21
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LT-‐22 Species: Douglas-‐fir DBH: 60.5” Height: 104’ HTCB: 36’ Description: Legacy Tree 22 (LT-‐22) is the largest known Douglas-‐fir on the property. This tree is located right next to a log landing on the shoulder of a west-‐facing slope. This tree has many burls throughout is, but a very large swelling occurs on the base of the downhill side. Two characteristics of a Legacy Tree that LT-‐22 has is deeply furrowed bark and large branch diameters that are 10 to 14 inches. LT-‐22 also has a broken top, which accounts for it relatively short height.
Figure 26. Photo of LT-‐22, the only classified Douglas-‐fir
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LT-‐23 “Moss Landing Citadel” Species: Redwood DBH: 108.5” Height: 188’ HTCB: 29’ Description: Legacy Tree 23 (LT-‐23) is the largest tree on the Valencia Creek property. LT-‐23 is the dominant tree within its stand near the ridge top of a southeastern facing aspect. This tree has characteristics of a Legacy Tree due to its platy furrowed bark, and limbs reaching diameters of 10 inches. LT-‐23 has multiple tops, with 7 of them being visible and the first one occurring 27 feet up the tree. Some signs of fire are present on the tree, with burnt bark going up 25 feet on the up-‐hill side. Due to this trees impressive size and multiple tops, it has the appearance of a citadel. With it being located on a southeastern aspect, it overlooks Moss Landing Harbor and the Monterey National Marine Sanctuary in the distance, therefore giving this tree the name “Moss Landing Citadel”.
Figure 27. V iew of the immense size of LT-‐23
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LT-‐24 Species: Redwood DBH: 75.3” Height: 181’ HTCB: 51’ Description: Legacy Tree 24 (LT-‐24) is the southern most Legacy Tree growing on the property. It occurs on the shoulder of a north facing aspect. It is the dominant tree within the stand, with much smaller age classes surrounding it. There are signs of logging with multiple stumps of differing sizes occurring as close as 4 feet away from the tree. Multiple burls are located on the trunk of the tree, which could be from the logging that took place in the past. LT-‐24 has platy, furrowed bark, which also helps in qualifying it as a Legacy Tree. A sucker occurs on the downhill side of the tree with a DBH of 22.6 inches. LT-‐24 also shows signs of fire with an open fire scar on the uphill side of the tree, measuring 21 feet tall, 3 ½ feet wide, and 2 feet deep.
Figure 28. A look at the fire scar on the base of LT-‐24
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LT-‐25 Species: Redwood DBH: 61.3” Height: 88’ HTCB: 36’ Description: Legacy Tree 25 (LT-‐25) is the only Legacy Tree within the Valencia Creek property that was not located near a ridge top. This tree is positioned midslope on a northwest aspect. LT-‐25 is a very interesting tree, because it shows many signs of past disturbances. First, the tree forks at 28 feet up to form three tops. The area of the fork provides a very large platform that could be used for wildlife species. The uphill side of the tree has a moderate sized fire scar measuring 5 ½ feet tall, 4 ½ feet wide, and 1 feet deep. Out of the side of this scar grew a sprout, which now measures 25 inches in diameter. One of the most interesting features of this tree is its sign of logging from the early 1900’s. Inside the fire scar at the base of the tree is an incomplete face cut that was put in with an axe.
Figure 29. V iew of the unique top formation of LT-‐25
Figure 30. A photo of the face-‐cut at the base of LT-‐25
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LT-‐26 Species: Redwood DBH: 64.6” Height: 109’ HTCB: 55’ Description: Legacy Tree 26 (LT-‐26) is the last Legacy Tree for the Valencia Creek property; it is located on bench that is midslope on a western aspect. This tree is the remnants of a once greater tree, but still has some of the characteristics of large platy, furrowed bark. Due to multiple disturbances, this tree has been left greatly disfigured. LT-‐26 has a large fire scar at the base that is 31 feet tall and 6 feet wide. Surrounding the tree are more signs of fire with large burnt stumps. LT-‐26’s original top has broken off around 50 feet up, and now a new top is growing out of this brake. Around 42 feet up is a large sucker that has started growing that gives this tree another top.
Figure 31. A look at the burned base of LT-‐ 26
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Conclusion A total of 26 trees were identified and documented as Legacy Trees on Swanton Pacific Ranch, with each tree meeting or exceeding the criteria found in the ranches old growth and legacy tree policy as well as the FSC requirements. The 26 trees that were found and chosen out of thousands on the SPR’s 3,200-‐ acre property shows how significant and rare these legacy trees are, particularly in an area like the Santa Cruz Mountains that has had a history of being heavily logged. But it is not simply the rarity that makes these 26 trees so special, rather it is the characteristics and appearance of each tree that makes them significant. Characteristics like size, limb structure, bole structure, and wildlife habitat to name a few. It is difficult to really grasp their significance from the photos in this report but when seen in person these trees have a uniqueness that really separates them from the surrounding forest. By protecting these trees indefinitely, Swanton Pacific Ranch is not only fulfilling a commitment to the Forest Stewardship Council but also to the land, the wildlife, and the people who cherish these majestic trees.
World Record Torreya Californica Obituary by Jim West Even within a watershed of such diversity, that circa 30 square miles and the adjacent environs can contain 10-‐12% of all of California's native flora, Swanton's record holding Torreya californica stands out in its singularity. While achieving, neither the cathedral-‐like monumentality of its neighboring Sequoia sempervirens nor even the sky-‐blocking breath displayed by the largest specimens of the local Umbellularia californica and Pseudotsuga menziesii, Scott Creek's documented, often discussed but rarely witnessed-‐in-‐person California Nutmeg, elicited wonder..... due less to the diameter of its lower trunk but its asymmetry, raising the issue is it really one or two fused bodies! I first encountered, more than forty years ago, the reclusive behemoth literally hidden by the undergrowth and dappled light from the adjacent canopies, and it seemed from a distance, unremarkable almost prosaic in stature. When I finally worked my way through the red elderberry and salmonberry entanglements and confronted the 39
"modest giant" and placed my six foot two inch frame against the already inclined trunk, only then did the nutmeg's uniqueness manifest itself..... sporting a stem, not approximating an upward thrusting cylinder but somewhat flattened and looking with its phalanged edges, as if it had wandered in from some distant rain forest. Nature's magic, resides less with the concept of monumentality than the fluidity found in the diversity of forms she expresses herself in ,and whether or not, the now reclining "arboreal landmark" consisted of one or two merged trunks, matters less than the special variation on a theme it brought to the local landscape. When an old friend departs, what remains behind takes on greater value and the Scott Creek Watershed is home to at least 2,000 all age category Torreyas to view, study and treasure. Jim West
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