May 10,2013
John Bennett, Maryland Big Tree Coordinator
April Report to Board
4/1 – Holly Thomas, Senior Urban Forester, Montgomery Parks, approved posting to web site of two dozen “public access” trees on Park land.
4/2 – Amanda Cunningham, Executive Director, Baltimore Tree Trust, wrote to ask for suggestions for someone to prepare a workshop on “ecology of the forest floor”. Several names were suggested
4/2 – Tyson Rose, Frederick County Forestry Board webmaster, reported he has posted photos and text about the two trees that were recently measured by the MBTP.
4/5 – Chris Todd, Assistant Crew Supervisor, Maryland Conservation Corps, Susquehanna, Rocks, and Palmer State Park, reports that the GPS points for the big trees in the above parks are not accurate, but that they have found most of the registered trees and are preparing a trail guide so campers and visitors can find them.
4/5 – An exchange of emails is begun with various members of The Nature Conservancy regarding the re-measurement of several trees on their property in Wicomico County. A signed permission form is received on 4/9 from Deborah Landau, Conservation Ecologist.
4/8 – Sheri Shannon, American Forests Big Tree Coordinator, reports that “March Madness has ended with the champion being the Missouri Ozark Chinkapin.
4/9 – Kathy Kronner, Forest Ranger, Wicomico County, reports she has been able to obtain a signed permission form for the county champion willow oak.
4/10 – Kathy Jarmon, Cecil County Forester Board, agrees to do the driving for the 3 day trip to Wicomico and Worcester Counties.
4/11 – Jim Bardsley, President, Maryland Association of Forest Conservancy District Boards, reports the cottage is ready for the 3 day trip to Wicomico and Worcester Counties.
4/11 – Chris Garrett, Senior Park Ranger, M-NCPPC, Prince George’s County, reports he has measured a potential new State Champion loblolly pine in the Milburn Landing Area of Pocomoke State Park. The tree is then added to the list of trees to visit for the upcoming trip.
4/11 – A nomination was received in Cecil County with a signed permission form for an unknown flowering tree. It was explained that the MBTP typically does not measure non-native trees, and did not recognize the type of tree from the enclosed photo. The Cecil Forestry Board would be apprised of the request to see if they could help.
4/12 – Glenn Ferenschak, Baltimore County Forestry Board Chair, wrote to announce that Board member Sheryl Heydt would be conducting Board training on how to measure trees at the Maryland Zoo at Baltimore on 4/27. He asked for suggestions of trees that could be measured. He was provided with two trees that already had signed permission forms, and one tree that did not have a signed permission form.
4/13 – A MBTP volunteer began sending photos of previously measured trees in Garrett County in the Oakland area.
4/13 – Liz Swift, Park Ranger, Susquehanna, Rocks, and Palmer State Parks, requested information about the MBTP as part of their ongoing park trail program. History and measurement information was provided.
4/15 - Emails were exchanged with Kathy Kronner, Will Lowery, Senior Horticulturalist, Salisbury University, and Lisa Bierer-Garrett, Naturalist, Pocomoke River State Park, regarding the final logistics for the MBTP measurement team visit to Wicomico and Worcester Counties on April 19-21.
4/17 – Gary Barkdoll, Manager Maintenance Department, Frederick County Public Schools, called to request information about the registered trees on FCPS property, and the legal rights of the school system regarding those trees. He was relieved to learn that FCPS maintains all rights to those trees, and that there are only 2 trees belonging to FCPS.
4-18 – Dave Reinecke, Caroline County Forestry Board Chair, wrote to announce he was retiring from forestry board and big tree program activities. He will be missed!!
4/18 – Don Outen, Baltimore County Government, had received a flyer announcing the Montgomery County Big Tree Tour on May 18th, and wondered if Baltimore County could host such an event. It was explained that there are few “public access” trees in Baltimore County, so that big tree owners on private property would have to be contacted and a permission form developed to allow the MBTP to release information for the County to develop such a tour. It was noted that Joe Howard, Montgomery County Forestry Board, has been doing the Montgomery County tour for many years and has already developed some sort of permission form, so that he would need to be contacted for assistance.
4/19-4/21 – Dori Murphy, Kathie Jarmon, and John Bennett drove 473 miles round trip to Wicomico and Worcester Counties, and with the assistance of Kathy Kronner, Will Lowery,
Lisa Bierer-Garrett, and Joan Maloof, measured/re-measured 44 trees. During the remainder of April and part of May these trees are being posted on the web site.
4/21 – A citizen wrote to ask the minimum standard for a willow oak to be measured. Her tree was not large enough.
4/22 – The 1,000th tree was posted to the Maryland Big Tree web site.
4/23 – Nevin Dawson, Forest Stewardship Educator, MD Cooperative Extension Service, announced the Emerald Ash Borer Control Workshop on May 7.
4/23 – Sarah Lord, Baltimore City Forestry Board Chair, began an extended exchange of emails regarding ownership of “street trees” in Baltimore City. This exchange also involved Gary Letteron, Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks.
4/25 – A citizen wrote to ask about how to determine the age of a black mulberry. In response the citizen was asked how he knew it was a black mulberry, and not a more common white mulberry.
4/26 – A citizen wrote to follow up on her nomination and permission form on a longleaf pine in Cecil County. In response she was sent an apology for lack of action to measure this tree.
4/27 – The owner of the State Champion weeping willow in Garrett County wrote to say that her tree had been severely damaged in a recent storm. Emails were sent to Ernie Metz and Becky Wilson, DNR Forest Service, Garrett County, to see if they could find a volunteer to re-measure this tree to see if it still qualifies as the State Champion.
4/27 – A discussion began concerning the State Champion red mulberry in Salisbury, Wicomico County. The concern is if the tree is correctly identified.
4/30 – Kathy Kronner, Forest Ranger, DNR Forest Service, Wicomico County, wrote to report that she had painted and installed Day-Glo orange T-posts in the field buffer near the two large yellow poplars at Nanticoke River Wildlife Management Area. These are public access trees, but hard to find without some sort of marker.
April 4,2013
John Bennett, MD Big Tree Coordinator
March Report to Board
3-1 – Dori Murphy finished posting the Washington County Big Tree photos on the web site.
3-2 – John Bennett and Kathie Jarmon presented yearly MBTP report to the State Association.
After the meeting, Gabrielle Oldham, Dori Murphy, Kathie and John measured two trees in Edgewater, Anne Arundel County. One was a Bicentennial white oak; the other a new county champion eastern red cedar.
3-2 – Volunteer Mark Hollis begins sending photos of trees from Garrett County. Mark volunteered to help Becky Wilson measure two eastern hemlocks in Swallow Falls State Park in February, and he visited three other sites to photograph previously registered trees.
3-3 – Certificates for the Columbia Association big trees were mailed to Ted Cooper.
3-3 – A citizen inquired about the measurement of trees in historic Londontowne, Anne Arundel County. It was explained that the owners of any trees on private property would first
Have to be contacted and a permission form signed.
3-4 – Dori Murphy and John Bennett traveled to St. Mary’s County to meet with Gracie Brady, St. Mary’s County Big Tree Coordinator. They visited 6 properties and measured or re-measured 9 trees: 2 American basswoods, white oak, southern red oak, 2 willow oaks, 2 yellow poplars, and an unknown Cedrus, possibly a Deodar Cedar.
3-4 – A photo of the previously measured Talbot County Champion willow oak was sent by the owner, along with the GPS location data.
3-4 – American Forests announces the details of the “March Madness Big Tree Contest”. Information was forwarded to Lindsay Major for distribution to all Board members.
3-4 – A graduate student at Columbia University doing a study on public tree programs send a list of questions about the MBTP, which were answered.
3-5 – Joan Maloof sent an email in response to a request to locate 6 trees in Pemberton Park, Salisbury. Subsequent exchange of emails developed the logistics for meeting with Joan in April to search for these trees.
3-6 – A “thank you” email was received from one of the big tree owners in St. Mary’s County.
3-6 – Eric Sprague, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, requested a copy of the Maryland Champion Tree List, which was sent.
3-6 – A citizen wrote requesting information on how to visit the State Champion trees. She was referred to the new web site, and provided an explanation of “public access” trees that can be visited vs. privately owned trees which cannot be visited.
3-8 – American Forests was sent registration information on the State Champion blackjack oak, which appears to be larger than the current U.S. Champion in Florida.
3-10 – Emails were exchanged with Sandy Wright, a new Forestry Board member in Caroline County. Mr. Wright previously worked for the office of Planning and Zoning in Dorchester County, and thought he could find a list of significant trees which that office had documented.
3-14 – A referral was received from DNR Forest Service from a citizen inquiring about “specimen trees”. His questions were answered and a “thank you” was received.
3-14 – Joe Howard, Montgomery County Forestry Board, nominated the State Champion sourwood as a potential new U.S. Champion, as the points exceeded the current U.S. Champion in Ohio. Since that tree was measured in 2008, prior to the use of signed permission forms, the owner was contacted and asked to sign a form. She agreed, and the form was mailed. The signed form was returned on 3-29, and the nomination to American Forests will be made soon.
3-16 – Michael Morgan, Cecil County Forestry Board, nominated a new longleaf pine. The owner was contacted and a permission form sent. This signed form has been returned. The owner noted the language in the permission form was inconsistent with the practice of the MBTP not to include the name(s) of the owners in any publication. After consultation with the Cecil County Forestry Board, the permission form was modified.
3-17 – A series of emails began regarding the logistics for the use of a privately owned cottage in Worcester County for a MBTP-planned trip to Wicomico and Worcester.
3-18 – Doug Draper, Salsibury City Manager, sent an email announcing his staff had “found” the State Champion loblolly pine in the Salisbury Zoo Park. It will be re-measured in April.
3-19 – Mark Garrity, Director, Anne Arundel County of Recreation and Parks, requested a new big tree certificate for the new State co-champion shortleaf pine, as the original certificate had been ripped when the envelop was opened.
3-19 – John Dingedahl, Chair, Education Committee, agreed to add a discussion of the development of the “Links” menu item for the new big tree website on the agenda of the next meeting.
3-20 – Sheryl Heydt, Director of Horticulture at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, sent measurement data on a zelkova that had been measured in 2010, but never registered. The registration was completed and a certificate was sent.
3-22 – Amanda Cunningham, Baltimore City Big Tree Coordinator, sent photos of the removal of the former city champion swamp white oak in Herring Run Park which had been burned in a trash fire and had died. An article was published in the Baltimore Brew, http://www.baltimorebrew.com/2013/03/22/farewell-to-a-mighty-tree-felled-by-torched-toilets/.
3-22 – Celeste Maiorana, Washington County Big Tree Coordinator, sent a signed permission form from St. James Academy to allow for the posting of the two trees on their property to the web site.
3-24 – Dori Murphy, Kathie Jarmon, and John Bennett traveled to Frederick County, Carroll County, and Baltimore County to measure/re-measure 9 trees. They are northern red oak, white ash, white oak, Austrian pine, eastern hemlock, cedar of Lebanon, saucer magnolia, weeping Japanese scholar tree, American holly.
3-25 – Holly Thomas, Senior Horticulturist, M-NCPPC, Montgomery County, sent an email giving permission to post all the M-NCPPC trees to the web site as “public access” trees and include specific directions on their locations so they can be visited by the public. The posting has been accomplished.
3-26 – The owner of the St. Mary’s County only living Bicentennial tree, a white oak, sent a signed permission form so this tree can be posted to the web site. It is not a public access tree
3-26 – Sheri Shannon, American Forests, sent a reminder that the working groups deadline is April 15th. The message was forwarded to Lindsay Major for distribution to all Board members
3-30 – Joli McCathran, Montgomery County Big Tree Coordinator, called with measurement data on 4 new trees belonging to M-NCPPC. These trees were registered, and the data sheets were sent, with a request to Holly Thomas that they be listed as “public access” trees.
3-30 – Scott Wade, Pennsylvania Big Tree Coordinator, sent an email with directions on how the circumference for saucer magnolias should be measured.
3-31 – Jim Bardsley, Anne Arundel County Forestry Board Chair, sent an email noting that the Board had approved a $500 donation to the MBTP, and that he had the check available.
March 8,2013
John Bennett, Maryland Big Tree Coordinator
February Report to Board
2-1 Wil Hylton, Baltimore City Forestry Board web master, posted the first of a series of Featured Species of trees, starting with the American beech.
2-9 Dori Murphy completed the posting of the Carroll County trees to the web site. She started posting Kent County trees.
2-10 A citizen wrote to follow up on a nominated tree in Baltimore County, which had been nominated last fall. It is a non-native tree.
2-11 An absentee landowner of 12 registered big trees in Cecil County sent a signed permission form to allow for photos of those trees to be posted on the web.
2-11 John and Dorothy Bennett nominated a shortleaf pine in Anne Arundel County while on vacation.
2-12 Lindsay Major provided a Certificate of Insurance to the Columbia Association to complete the requested documentation for the registration of 6 trees in Howard County.
2-13 Joli McCathran, Montgomery County Forestry Board, called to report that her Board had given her permission to begin posting privately owned trees on the web site.
2-15 Tom and Tim Matthews and Champ Zumbrun of the Allegany County Forestry Board measured a 218 point black walnut, which is the new county champion.
2-15 American Forests announced the formation of two working groups to study the current tree measurement standards, and the standards for inclusion of species on the National Championship list.
2-17 Dori Murphy completed the posting of Kent County big trees photos. She began work on posting Washington County.
2-18 Celeste Maiorana, Washington County Big Tree Coordinator, sent her collection of photos of Washington County big trees.
2-18 Mark Hollis returned from Swallow Falls State Park and began sending photos and information on trees he and Becky Wilson had measured earlier in the month.
2-20 Chris Garrett, Prince George’s County Big Tree Coordinator, sent measurement data on the shortleaf pine nominated on 2-11. It becomes the new Maryland State Co-Champion at 179 points.
2-20 Dan Hedderick, Allegany County Forestry Board Secretary, requested the nominator of the county champion osage orange be contacted. The nominator requested a big tree certificate of registration, which was provided.
2-20 Gracie Brady, St. Mary’s County Big Tree Coordinator, confirmed that the owners of 10 different big trees have been notified of the pending visit on 2/26 to measure these trees.
2-23 Chris Garrett requested that the Maryland State Champion blackjack oak be nominated as the new U.S. Champion, which was done. He also reported that the county champion baldcypress had been severely damaged in a recent windstorm, losing about 1/3 of the height of the tree.
2-23 A homeowner nominated a large saucer magnolia in Howard County.
2-26 The pending trip to St. Mary’s County (see 2-20) had to be cancelled due to bad weather.
2-27 Permission to post the State Champion southern magnolia on the web site was received from the owner in Somerset County.
2-28 Kathy Kronner, DNR Forest Technician, reported the 390 point yellow poplar in Wicomico County is still alive.
2-28 Dori Murphy finished posting the photos of the Washington County big trees on the web.
2-28 Dawn Balinski, Calvert County Forestry Board, volunteered to help with the posting of material on the new web site.
February 9,2013
John Bennett, Maryland Big Tree Coordinator
Report to Board – January, 2013
1/1 – Work was begin and continued throughout the month on the list of 30 big trees that were measured last fall by Howard County Big Tree Coordinator Ted Cooper, and some with help by Bill Snell.
1/2- Approval was given by members of MUCFC to carry over remaining funds in the big tree brochure grant of $70 approved for 2012.
1/7 – Dave Reinecke send measurement data on 5 trees that he had recently measured. These trees had been identified as eligible during a trip to Caroline County in December. The trees were registered, posted on the web, and certificates sent.
1/9 – The Cecil Forestry Board approved the 2012 Maryland Big Tree Report. It was then sent to various interested parties, and posted on several web sites, including the MBTP site.
1/9 – Mark Hollis, a MBTP volunteer in Baltimore County, nominated a very large sycamore in Soldiers Delight, Baltimore County.
1/10 – Wil Shylton, a member of the Baltimore City Forestry Board, proposed that their Board institute a monthly web page on missing champion species of trees in the City. His idea was supported and material was sent to Wil for posting. The American beech was selected as the first monthly posting as the former city champion was taken down in October, 2012.
1/10 – Dr. Joan Maloof, Salisbury University, has discovered a pond pine, pinus serotina, on private property in Worcester County. Her identification was confirmed by Wes Knapp, DNR Wildlife and Heritage Service.
The pond pine is listed as native to the 3 lower Eastern Shore counties, but this would be the first time one has been nominated for the MBTP. A permission form was sent and later contact made with the manager of the property.
1/16 – Notification was received from Kathy Kronner, DNR Forest Ranger, that the ownership of the property in Berlin, Worcester County, where the State Champion longleaf pine is growing has changed. Contact was made with the new owner, and a new permission form was mailed. The form was returned signed, and a new certificate was prepared and mailed.
1/18 - An inquiry was received about the big eastern hemlock (#2 in MD) at Prettyboy Reservoir in Baltimore County. This tree was measured and recorded in 2012, but listed as a Baltimore City tree because the watershed area is owned by the City. The citizen accepted the reason for the listing, and was directed to the listing and photo on the web site.
1/18 – A nomination was made for 2 American basswood trees in Mechanicsville, St. Mary’s County. Forms were sent and have been returned. A pre-measurement visitation was made later by Gracie Brady, St. Mary’s County Big Tree Coordinator, along with photos of the two trees.
1/20 – An inquiry was made about a large white oak in Garrett County. It was recommended that the citizen nominate the tree, which is in a State Forest, but that it would be difficult to get it measured as there are no volunteers currently available in Garrett. To date, no nomination has been received.
1/22 – A nomination was made for a Bicentennial white oak in Edgewater, Anne Arundel County. Forms were sent and returned. The nominator was asked if she would look for another nearby white oak that was last measured in 1989. She subsequently located the tree, but was not willing to obtain or deliver the required permission form. Members of the AA County Forestry Board have been asked to handle this.
1/23 – Billing for the hosting of the MBTP website was received from Dan Lievans, in the amount of $180. The bill was forwarded to Gary Allen, President of the Maryland Forestry Board Foundation, copy to Dawn Balinski, Treasurer.
1/25 – Inquiry was received from Sheri Shannon, American Forests, regarding access to contact information of owners of the U.S. Champion trees for photography and media inquiries. The MD policy on privacy was explained and it was suggested she contact Gabrielle Oldham, Chair, Cecil County Forestry Board, for further discussion.
1/27 – Mark Hollis, MBTP volunteer in Baltimore County, volunteered to help locate and photograph Garrett County big trees while on vacation starting in February. Becky Wilson, DNR Forest Service, was contacted, and thru an exchange of mails, Mark and Becky have made arrangements to meet during Mark’s vacation and explore an area of Swallow Falls State Park, where several large eastern hemlock and eastern white pines were once located and measured (1996). Becky also agreed to help Mark locate some of the trees in Garrett County that were measured several years ago but never photographed.
1/28 – Joan Maloof was contacted about the status of the Wicomico County big trees, which were measured under the auspices of Salisbury University. Dr. Maloof forwarded the email to an official of Salisbury University.
1/29 – A nomination was received from Camp Fairlee, a camp in Kent County for children with handicaps owned by the Easter Seals Foundation. It was believed that the tree is a pin oak, but after photographs were received, it was determined to be a southern red oak. Forms were sent and returned. Permission was given to explore the entire property during the visit by the MBTP volunteers to look for additional big trees.
1/31 – An inquiry was received regarding three trees in Leonardtown, St. Mary’s County, that had been previously nominated in September, 2012. It was explained that there were not enough trees at that time to justify the cost of the trip from Cecil to St. Mary’s. With the addition of the two American basswood trees on 1/18, there are now 7 trees to measure, which will justify a trip.
1/31 – Posting of trees on the new web site has been concluded at 850. The DNR legal staff is reviewing the policy for the posting of the remaining trees, estimated to be 1000. Most of the remaining trees do not have signed permission forms, as they were not required at the time these trees were registered.
January 11,2013
John Bennett, Maryland Big Tree Coordinator
Maryland Big Tree Program Report
In 2012, the MBTP volunteers measured, re-measured, or deleted 205 trees. There were 157 new trees added to the Register, 22 trees re-measured and 27 trees were reported deceased. There are currently 2479 registered trees on the Maryland database. It is the goal of the MBTP to measure/re-measure/delete 200 of the registered trees each year.
Highlights
In 2012, four new county big tree coordinators volunteered their services. They are: Shirley Bailey, Dorchester County; Gracie Brady, St. Mary’s County; Ted Cooper, Howard County; and Michelle Donahue, Frederick County. We are very appreciative of their help in their respective counties.
On 9/26/12, the MBTP established a new web site, www.mdbigtrees.com. This site is designed by Dan Lievans, approved by the Maryland Association of Forest Conservancy District Boards, and funded with money from the Mel Noland Memorial Fund. The main purpose of the site is to provide the citizens of Maryland a place to look at Maryland’s wonderful collection of big trees, and to locate trees to visit. Trees marked with 2 stars ** are trees that are accessible to the public.
Eight State Champion trees have died this year: American basswood, Charles County, 401 points
Kentucky coffeetree, Montgomery County, 367 points
Pin oak, Charles County, 350 points
Boxelder, Frederick County, 246 points
Sugar maple, Harford County, 311 points
Silktree/Mimosa, Baltimore County, 225 points
Common Pear, Calvert County, 191 points
Table Mountain Pine, Harford County, 151 points
The American basswood, Kentucky coffeetree, and Boxelder were also United States Champions
One of Maryland’s Bicentennial Trees identified as being alive in 1776 has died. It was the black oak at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Phoenix, Baltimore County. It was a victim of superstorm Sandy.
On April 24th, the Montgomery County Forestry Board presented a proclamation to the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission signed by Governor Martin O’Malley to recognize the Dickerson Park American sycamore as “Maryland’s Biggest Tree”, replacing the Eder Park Silver Maple. It was re-measured at 479 points.
Notable county champion trees that died in 2011 include the Baltimore City Champions American beech (331 pts.), willow oak (322), and swamp white oak (317), the Cecil County Champion northern red oak at St. Mary Anne’s Episcopal Church (306), the Montgomery County Champion European linden at Woodlawn Mansion (302), the Calvert County Champion boxelder (279), the Baltimore County Champion post oak at UMBC (252), the Harford County boxelder (252), and the Calvert County persimmon at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum (148).
Five new species were added to the MD list:
Swamp bay, Persea palustris, found growing naturally in the swamps in Worcester County.
Grey birch, Betula populifolia, not native to MD, a 46 year old planted example in Harford County.
Washington hawthorn, Cratagus phaenopyrum, native to most areas of MD, planted in Harford Co.
Yellow birch, Betula alleghaniensis, found growing naturally in a grove in Harford County.
Coast redwood, Sequoia simpervirens, not native to MD, a 23 year old example planted in QA County.
Eleven new State Champions were crowned in 2012. These were new trees discovered that exceeded the points value of the current champion—not trees that replaced dead champions.
Southern red oak, Quercus falcata, 414 points, St. Mary’s County, Gracie Brady
Chinkapin oak, Quercus muehlenbergii, 294 points, Washington County, Celeste Maiorana (co-champ)
Royal paulownia, Paulownia tomentosa, 274 points, Montgomery County, Joe Howard/Joli McCathran
Eastern white pine, Pinus strobus, 273 points, Baltimore County, Dan Wilson (co-champ)
Sweet birch, Betula lenta, 247 points, Harford County, Dan Wilson (co-champ)
Blue spruce, Picea pungens, 183 points, Howard County, Ted Cooper
Eastern hophornbeam, Ostrya virginiana, 109 points, Harford County, Dan Wilson (co-champ)
Striped maple, Acer pensylvanicum, 82 points, Baltimore City, Dan Wilson
Rose-of-Sharon, Hibiscus syriaicus, 53 points, Baltimore County, D. Murphy, K. Jarmon, J.Bennett
Staghorn sumac, Rhus typhina, 53 points, Harford County, Dan Wilson (co-champ)
Devil’s Walkingstick, aralia spinosa, 29 points, Harford County, Dan Wilson
The International Year of the Forest Geocaching Program continued in 2012. Information about this program, photos of the visitors to the Maryland State Champion Calvert White Oak in Cecil County,
and comments from the visitors can be found at: http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=c30ec022-8334-4a1f-837f-08bea856cbce.
The MBTP generated nineteen media articles/publications in 2012:
http://www.mdcoastdispatch.com/articles/2012/02/03/Top-Stories/New-Tree-Species-Found-In-Worcester. 2/3
http://www.cecildaily.com/news/local_news/article_b260a1ea-4876-11e1-8386-0019bb2963f4.html. – 2/6
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/dnrnews/pressrelease2012/012612a.asp – 2/16
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/dnrnews/pressrelease2012/021612a.asp. 3/6
http://www.daggerpress.com/2012/02/16/four-harford-county-big-trees-become-maryland-state-champions-european-larch-gray-birch-sweet-birch-washington-hawthorn/ 2/17
http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2012-03-14/features/bs-gr-champion-maple-20120311_1_biggest-trees-maryland-big-tree-program-tree-identification. 3/11
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/dnrnews/pressrelease2012/040512a.asp. 4/5
http://www.daggerpress.com/2012/04/06/maryland-big-tree-program-adds-first-yellow-birch-to-record-book-discovered-in-hidden-valley-area-of-rocks-state-park/. 4/5
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travilah_Oak.
http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/poi/default.asp?POI_ID=309&TOC=307;309;&id=5642. 6/6
http://www.gazette.net/article/20120530/NEWS/705309602/1080/gaithersburg-tree-biggest-of-its-kind-in-state&template=gazette. 6/6
http://www.cecildaily.com/our_cecil/article_b79d4ef0-c7f7-11e1-8253-0019bb2963f4.html. 7/28
http://www.somdnews.com/article/20120801/NEWS/708019621/1055/derecho-fells-state-champion-pin-oak-tree&template=southernMaryland. 8/6
http://www.stardem.com/news/local_news/article_84a32170-f6cb-11e1-829c-001a4bcf887a.html. 9/11
http://www.gazette.net/article/20121030/NEWS/710309934/1124/prince-george-s-champion-trees-meet-their-match-as-storms-hit-area&template=gazette. 10/30
“Big Red, Little Red”, by Bill Hughes, appearing only in print in the “Cecil Guardian” 11/8
http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2012-11-13/features/bal-bmg-baltimores-champion-beech-felled-by-age-20121113_1_american-beech-limb-maryland-big-tree-program. 11/14
http://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2012/11/29/maryland-loses-bicentennial-tree/. 11/29
http://www.stardem.com/life/article_ccf9f658-3d69-11e2-86da-001a4bcf887a.html. 12/8
December 6,2012
John Bennett, Maryland Big Tree Coordinator
NOVEMBER Report to Board
11/1 – Notification was received that a Maryland Bicentennial Tree had been toppled by the winds of superstorm Sandy on 10/29. The tree was located at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Phoenix, Baltimore County. The official Bicentennial bronze plaque was nearby. A citizen took a half dozen photos of the downed trees and sent them to the MBTP.
11/2 - Emails were exchanged with Ted Cooper, the Howard County Big Tree Coordinator, about details of the huge yellow poplar he measured in Gwynn Acres Park, at 419 points.
11/3 – Bob Stanley, an arborist in Talbot County, nominated a pin oak at a local church on behalf of the Talbot River Protection Association.
11/5 – Webmaster Dan Lievans resolved some technical glitches in the new web site.
11/5 – The MBTP was notified of the pending removal of two registered northern red oaks at St. Mary Anne’s Episcopal Church in North East, Cecil County. Arrangements were made with volunteers to take photos of the 2 day operation. The larger tree was the Cecil County Champion for many years.
11/5 – An owner in Prince George’s County nominated an American sycamore in the Camp Springs area.
11/7 – DNR Forest Service posted a revised MBTP permission form on their web site. The revision emphasized that registered trees would be photographed and these photos would be posted on the new web site, unless the owner objected.
11/9 – DNR Forester Brian Stupak notified the MBTP that the Calvert County Champion Persimmon had been blown over.
11/9 – A citizen requested a copy of the Prince George’s County Champion Tree List, which was provided.
11/10 – The Cecil County Forestry Board, together with DNR Forest Ranger Shawn Day, measured 5 trees that had been newly nominated on a portion of Elk Neck State Forest.
11/12 – A citizen, on behalf of an owner, nominated a ginkgo in Harford County.
11/12 – Amanda Cunningham, Baltimore City Forestry Board member, notified the MBTP that the Baltimore City Champion American Beech was being taken down due to poor health.
11/13 – An arborist in Baltimore County expressed interest in becoming a MBTP volunteer. An exchange of emails was forthcoming and the volunteer signed and returned the DNR Volunteer Form.
11/14 – John Bennett, MBTP Coordinator, gave a talk to the Old Enough Club in Bel Air on the Maryland Big Tree Program and showed slides of some of the Harford County Champion Trees.
Later he measured, with a citizen and the owner, the large ginkgo that had been nominated on 11/12. It continued as the Harford County Champion (347 points).
11/16 – Dave Reinecke, Mid Shore Big Tree Coordinator, measured a large willow oak (308 points), on Tilghman’s Island, Talbot County.
11/18 – In the summer, Ted Cooper, Howard County Big Tree Coordinator, had measured 4 trees (a littleleaf linden, 309 points, a horsechestnut, 282 points, a English walnut, 209 points, and a saucer magnolia, 161 points) on a farm that operated as a retail produce business during the growing season. The owner of the farm was consulted by phone on 11/18 about whether she wanted these trees to be listed as “available to the public”, meaning the address and location of her farm would be available to the public. She decided she would like to have them so listed.
11/20 – The MBTP received an inquiry from a citizen in Anne Arundel County about a tree that was believed to be “the 2nd oldest tree in the county”. After researching available documents, no record of this tree could be found and the citizen was notified.
11/20 – The MBTP received 4 new nominations from a citizen in Taneytown, Carroll County.
11/20 – Jim Bardsley, President, Maryland Forestry Boards Association, asked by email if the MBTP had received any information on turkey oak, Quercus laevis. He had reports that it was being seen in the lower Eastern Shore. It is a shrubby tree, commonly seen in Tidewater Virginia, but perhaps moving northward due to the warming climate.
11/20 – The MBTP sent emails to Shirley Bailey, Dorchester County Big Tree Coordinator, and members of the Dorchester County Forestry Board, notifying them that the registered big trees of Dorchester County had been posted to the new web site. Also Dave Reinecke, Caroline County Forestry Board Chair, was notified that the Caroline County big trees would now be posted to the new web site.
11/25 – The owner of a 17’ 8” circumference southern red oak in Prince George’s County inquired about the nomination process for her tree. Forms were sent to her.
11/26 – Dave Reinecke was notified that all Caroline County big trees had been posted to the new website. Also Celeste Maiorana, Washington County Big Tree Coordinator, and members of the Washington County Forestry Board, were notified that their trees would begin to be posted to the new web site.
11/27 – DNR Office of Communication sent a draft article to the MBTP regarding the loss of the Maryland Bicentennial Tree earlier at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Phoenix, Baltimore County. The original article had been submitted by the MBTP, which approved the revised article for print. It appeared on the DNR site on 11/29/12, http://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2012/11/29/maryland-loses-bicentennial-tree/.
11/27 – A member of the Christ Episcopal Church in Howard County contacted the MBTP granting approval of the posting of information and photo of a large, previously measured yellow poplar on the new web site.
11/28 – A citizen in Talbot County wrote inquiring about a possible Alleghany chinkapin on his property. It was determined that he had sawtooth oaks, Quercus acutissima.
11/30 – In response to the DNR article (see 11/27), a citizen wrote to ask about Bicentennial Trees in Prince George’s County. The list of trees was emailed to him, and he wrote back saying that he was familiar with one of the trees, an American Holly, and believed it to be still alive. Chris Garrett, Senior Park Ranger, M-NCPPC, has agreed to check on this tree.
11/30 – The sycamore nominated on 11/5 in Camp Springs was measured and registered, and the certificate was mailed.
November 8,2012
John Bennett, Maryland Big Tree Coordinator
OCTOBER Report To Board
10/1 – A signed permission form for a nominated tree in Montgomery County was received.
10/2 – Kathy Kronner, DNR Forest Ranger, reported via email that the Nature Conservancy has designated the area surrounding the three large baldcypress trees in Wicomico County (including the MD State Champion) as a “special area” that will be exempt from the scheduled timber stand improvement thinning. We will work with staff from the Conservancy to re-measure those three trees.
10/3 – A big tree nomination in Baltimore County was received. The forms were send and they were returned several days later with the signed permission.
10/5 – Shirley Bailey, Dorchester County Big Tree Coordinator, nominated a tree and the owner sent the signed permission form.
10/8 – Chris Golley, Harford County Big Tree Coordinator, sent photos of a tree. We decided it is a black oak, not a blackjack oak as first thought.
10/9 – An inquiry was received about a tree in Montgomery County. Based on the owner’s circumference measurement, it appeared the tree would not meet minimum size standards.
10/10 – A signed permission form for a tree in Talbot County was received. Dave Reinecke, Big Tree Coordinator for the Central Eastern Shore, was asked to schedule a measurement for that tree.
10/10 – John Bennett confirmed with a member of the Old Enough Club in Bel Air, Harford County, that he would do a presentation on 11/14.
10/11 – All MBTP volunteers were notified that American Forests, and the new MD Big Tree Program web site, www.mdbigtrees.com, was now using Quercus montana, instead of Quercus prinus, for chestnut oaks.
10/11 – Lindsay Major, DNR Forest Service, notified everyone that the Fall meeting of the Maryland Forestry Boards Association has been cancelled.
10/11 – Emails were exchanged with property owners in PG County regarding a row of shagbark hickories.
10/13 – Judy Owen, Adjunct Professor, Cecil College, checked on a nominated tree and reported it was a Siberian elm, not American as first thought, and the size was not sufficient to qualify.
10/13 – Emails were exchanged with a big tree owner in Washington County who owned a registered MBTP hackberry tree and wanted to visit some of the other hackberry trees in his county. He was given a list of the trees on public lands, but explained that the Maryland State Champion hackberry was privately owned and therefore not available to the public. It was suggested he discuss with Celeste Mariorana, Washington County Big Tree Coordinator, the possibility of helping her re-measure that tree as it is due for its 10 year re-measurement. Later in the month Celeste did contact him.
10/16 – Chris Garrett, PG County Big Tree Coordinator, sent me an email announcing the PG Champion Tree Tour sponsored and hosted by the PG County Forestry Board, for October 27th. His email was forwarded to several parties in the area.
10/17 – An email was sent to Glenn Ferenschak, Baltimore County Big Tree Coordinator, reporting that all the Baltimore County trees registered in the past 10 years have been posted to the new web site. A “thank you” email in return was received.
10/18 – Confirmation from members of the Cecil County Forestry Board for a date to measure trees on the east side of the newly acquired Martinak property were sent out and received back.
10/19 – A proposal by Patricia Valentine, Chair, Howard County Forestry Board, that the MBTP consider using digital GPS postings so a State-wide map of big tree locations could be developed was discussed by phone. This will be discussed with the Cecil Board at our next meeting.
10/22 – An email from a property owner in Montgomery County listing the circumferences of 3 trees on his property was received. The two oaks probably would not meet minimum size standards, but that the maple might if it were a red maple (not if it were a silver maple). Joli McCathran, Montgomery Big Tree Coordinator, was copied, who responded with a request to visit the property if the owner permitted.
10/22 – An email from a citizen in Cecil County who had discovered a stand of 8 baldcypress growing in Mill Creek, a tributary of the Sassafras River was received. He wanted to confirm that these trees are well north of the native range for baldcypress, which he correctly identified as Calvert County in MD, and Sussex County in Delaware. His research appeared correct so emails were sent to various DNR personnel. On 10/22, Jonathan McKnight, DNR Wildlife and Heritage, responded by saying the native range remains the same, and these were probably planted trees. The citizen was skeptical and notified me he planned to investigate further.
10/23 – Tom Frederick, DNR Project Forester for Cecil County, notified Board members that the 2013 MBTP grant request for $1500 had been approved by the Maryland Urban and Community Forestry Committee. Many thanks to members of that committee for their continued support!!!
10/23 – John and Dorothy Bennett had dinner with Montgomery County Big Tree Coordinator Joli McCathran and husband Ken. After dinner we reviewed the process for entering the big trees of Montgomery County on the new web site and gave Joli a 3 ring binder with all the data sheets.
10/23 – Kathy Kronner, DNR Forest Ranger, reported that she has no photos of the Worcester County big trees posted on the web site. These trees will need to be photographed when they are re-measured.
10/25 – Sarah Lord, Baltimore City Big Tree Coordinator, was notified that all the big trees in Baltimore City measured in the past 10 years were posted on the new web site. She sent back a “thank you.”
10/26 – John and Dorothy Bennett measured a 355 point southern red oak in LaPlata, Charles County, that is privately owned. It has been posted on the web site.
10/27 – Dori Murphy, Kathie Jarmon, John Bennett traveled to Queen Anne’s, Talbot and Dorchester Counties to measure 15 newly nominated big trees. In Queen Anne’s County they measured a coast redwood, a new species to Maryland. In Talbot County, they measured two osage orange trees in front of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Easton. In Dorchester County they joined Shirley Bailey, Dorchester County Big Tree Coordinator, to measure two loblolly pines, a silver maple, a southern magnolia, a post oak, a persimmon, a willow oak, an eastern red cedar, am English oak, an American elm, and two southern red oaks. Almost all of the Dorchester County trees are new County Champions. Photos of each of these trees, except the coast redwood, are posted on the new web site, www.mdbigtrees.com. Several of these trees are accessible to the public.
10/29 – Bob Stanley, arborist, Talbot County, called to nominate an American basswood. The necessary forms were sent.
10/30 – Ted Cooper, Howard County Big Tree Coordinator, sent a spreadsheet containing 22 newly measured big trees in Howard County. Most were on public property, but a few are privately owned, and permission forms had been sent previously. Many appear to be new Howard County Champion trees.
10/31 – An email nominating a tree in Frederick County was received. The necessary forms were sent.
November 8,2012
OCTOBER MBTP Report
October 4,2012
John Bennett, Maryland Big Tree Coordinator
September Report To Board
On September 2, the Star Democrat published the article written by me and Shirley Bailey, Dorchester County Big Tree Coordinator, entitled “Large White Oaks Sought”., http://www.stardem.com/news/local_news/article_84a32170-f6cb-11e1-829c-001a4bcf887a.html. As a result of that article, we received 7 responses from Dorchester County residents and 2 responses from Talbot County residents. We have scheduled a measuring trip to Dorchester and Talbot Counties on 10/27.
On 9/4, I received an email request from the Horticulture Department of Howard Community College for American chestnut seedlings. I forwarded the request to Glenn Ferenschak, Return of the Chestnut program, Maryland Association of Forest Conservancy District Boards. Glenn responded that he did not have any available for Spring, 2013.
On 9/6, Dori Murphy and I traveled to Howard County to meet with Ted Cooper, Howard County Big Tree Coordinator and Patricia Valentine, Howard County Forestry Board Chairperson, to visit a number of trees that Ted had previously measured. We photographed all of them, and re-measured two that were in contention for State Champions.
On 9/6, Joli McCathran, Montgomery County Big Tree Coordinator, requested information on trees accessible to the public at Susquehanna State Park. I prepared a list with directions and sent them to her.
On 9/7, I was notified by an alumnus of the University of Maryland Baltimore County that BT-2167, post oak, 252 points, Baltimore County co-Champion, located on Griffin Hill on campus, had blown over in an earlier wind storm. He asked for some recommended species to plant on the Hill to replace the oak which I offered.
On 9/9, Dori Murphy, Kathie Jarmon and I travelled to Baltimore, Carroll and Frederick Counties to measure/re-measure 8 trees. In Baltimore we did a silver maple, shrub althea, copper beech and black walnut. All were newly nominated trees. The shrub althea is the new Maryland State Champion. In Carroll County we did an osage-orange and an American sycamore. The osage-orange was a re-measurement and remains the Carroll County Champion. In Frederick County we measured a Norway spruce and white oak. The Norway spruce is the new Frederick County Champion; the white oak was too small to register. All certificates have been mailed to the owners. The round trip was 266 miles.
On 9/10 a citizen emailed a request for information on how to care for a large pecan in Chestertown. I emailed some material about pecans and recommended a licensed arborist. She also asked about small “street trees” recommended for planting. I referred her to the list posted on the DNR web site.
On 9/10 one of the science teachers at Glenelg High School in Howard County asked for help on how to tell dawn redwoods from baldcypress. I referred him to several on line tree ID sources, and also suggested he contact Ted Cooper, Howard County Big Tree Coordinator.
On 9/12 an owner sent paperwork to nominate and give permission to measure some trees on her property in Montgomery County. I forwarded the paperwork to Joli McCathran, Montgomery County Big Tree Coordinator.
On 9/12 Gabrielle Oldham, Cecil County Forestry Board Chair, signed and mailed the 2013 MUCFC funding request for the Maryland Big Tree Program in the amount of $1500.
On 9/12, Bill Harms, Volunteer Project Leader for the North Tract Project, Inventory Project, Patuxent Research Refuge, send photos and a description of a tree that he thought might be a bear oak. We exchanged some information via emails, and I sent the photos on to several big tree ID experts for their opinions. After a week, the responses concluded it likely was a strange looking black oak, or possibly a black oak hybrid.
On September 14, Dr. Gregory Reighard, Professor of Horticulture, Fruit Tree Culture and Genetics, Clemson University, nominated a pitch pine at Antietam National Battlefield Park which he saw while on vacation.
On 9/15, I set up the Forestry Board display table and electronic display board at Cecil College as part of the Living Landscapes Workshop. Forestry Board member Kathie Jarmon served as Workshop Coordinator for the Cecil County Horticulture Club.
On 9/18, Heidi Kellerman, representing the National Arbor Day Foundation, wrote to ask permission to use Dori’s photo of the U.S. Champion swamp chestnut oak in Kent County in their upcoming publication, “Heritage Trees”. I forwarded the email to Dori and she subsequently granted permission and sent a high resolution photo as requested.
On 9/18, Dan Lievans wrote to check to see if we had figured out how to load photos. I replied that we had not, and we spent an hour trying to figure out the problem. We were unsuccessful.
On 9/19, Pat van den Beemt, reporter for the North County News (Baltimore) called to inquire about a recent black walnut that we had measured (see 9/9). The owner had contacted her. I sent her some material, but did not hear back and assumed she decided not to pursue the article.
On 9/21, Celeste Maiorana, Washington County Big Tree Coordinator, wrote to say she had measured the pitch pine at Antietam (see 9/14), and it becomes the new Washington County Champion and the #2 tree in MD.
On 9/24, Dave Reinecke, Caroline County Big Tree Coordinator, wrote to say he and wife Ann had obtained paperwork and measured a newly nominated black walnut in Ridgely. It becomes the Caroline County Champion. The owner wrote a very complimentary email thanking everyone involved.
On 9/27, Kathy Kronner, DNR Forest Ranger, lower Eastern Shore, wrote to say that the Nature Conservancy was planning on thinning some timber stands which might impact the 3 baldcypress that were measured in 2007. She wanted to get the exact locations, but unfortunately in 2007 we had not yet begun to use GPS measurements, so all I could give her was a general location.
On 9/28, Dan Hedderick, Allegany County DNR Project Forester, wrote to say that Allegany County Forestry Board members Francis (Champ) Zumbrun and Steve Resh had measured an osage-orange on the grounds of the main branch of the Cumberland post office. It becomes the new Allegany County Champion.
On 9/29, a citizen from Deale, Anne Arundel County, wrote to ask about a willow oak that he understood was registered on the big tree data base. Unfortunately it was not registered, so I could not provide any information.
Also on 9/29, a citizen from Howard County wrote to ask if we would measure her Wye Oak seedlings, now about 30’ tall. I explained we did not provide that service and referred her to Ted Cooper.
On 9/30 Dori and John Murphy successfully loaded the first big tree photo on the new web site, www.mdbigtrees.com. The secret is that each photo has to be downsized to fit the format/size limitation established by the web site. Hooray for Dori and John!!!
September 26,2012
John Bennett, Maryland Big Tree Coordinator
Report to Board – August, 2012 On August 2nd I gave a presentation to the Harford County Master Gardeners at their Forest Hill office at 7:00 p.m. 27 Master Gardeners and 2 Harford Forestry Board members were present. The presentation went well. I was given a check for $50, made out to the Forestry Board Foundation. I mailed the check to Dawn Balinski. 5 members gave me their contact information and asked that I mail them the permission and nomination forms. I have done so, but have had no response since then from anyone. As a result of the newspaper article which appeared on August 1 in the local Charles County newspaper, I received telephone calls from 3 owners who requested the necessary forms. I have mailed them, but have received no responses. On August 4th, Michael, Gabrielle, Dori, and I measured the large northern red oak in Elkton. The measurements are 17’ 4” circ., 95’ ht., 82.5’ spread, 324.0 points. It is the new Cecil County champion. The certificate packet was mailed, and a draft article for the Cecil Whig was sent to the editor, Jacob Owens. Also on August 4th, I received a completed nomination form for a baldcypress in Wicomico County. The nominator had determined the tree was on State Highway property and had gotten a sign-off from the SHA county administrator. DNR Ranger Kathy Kronner measured the tree for him. The measurements are 9’ 10” circ., 61’ ht., 46’ spread, 191.0 points. I sent a certificate to the nomination and he sent back a “thank you” letter. Beginning on August 7th, I exchanged emails with Audrey Stuller, employed by a company doing tree survey work for DNR Wildlife and Heritage. She was finding what she thought were small slippery elms. I sent her some ID material. She later decided they actually were small American elms. On August 7th I called Shirley Bailey in Dorchester County. We had a good conversation and discussed the reason for her resignation. We agreed that I would write a “Letter to the Editor” for the local newspaper, which she would submit. She has done so on August 10th, with a follow up request on August 29th, but the article has not yet been printed. On August 10th, Ted Cooper, Howard County Big Tree Coordinator, sent me a spread sheet of some 25 trees that he had measured—all of which were on public property so no permission forms were required. Since then I have been registering those trees and preparing data sheets. Dori and I have scheduled 9/6 to travel to Howard County to photograph as many of them as we have time for. One tree, a silver maple, may be a National Champion. On August 13th a big tree owner sent me a signed permission form and nomination forms for two trees on her property in Montgomery County. I emailed Joli McCathran, Big Tree Coordinator for Montgomery County, and she has contacted the owner, but not yet made arrangements for the measurement. On August 15th I was contacted by a member of the Southern Maryland Woodcarver’s Association. He wanted my help in obtaining a portion of the wood from the former U.S. Champion American basswood in Chapman Woods State Park. I explained why that was not possible. I agreed I would send him the “before and after” photos of that tree, and would notify him if any other basswood in the area were to become available for woodcarving. On August 16th Wayne Merkel emailed me to say that the measuring equipment for Howard County had been purchased. I notified Ted Cooper and later in the month Ted picked up the equipment from the DNR office. I recorded the serial number of the hypsometer. On August 17th I was notified by a representative of the Environmental Office of the State Highway Administration that the former State Champion sugar maple in Harford County was about to be taken down. I thanked him for the advance notice and told him we had already removed it from the “active” file and moved it to the “deceased” file.
September 26,2012
John Bennett, Maryland Big Tree Coordinator
On August 20th I began a series of email exchanges with a property owner in Howard County (who used to live in Rising Sun and was taught math by Dorothy). He was referred by DNR Forest Service about a question about a big tree that possibly was a “hazard tree.” After research, I sent him the portion of the Roadside Tree Law that defined “public right of way” and it was obvious that his tree did not apply. I also sent him several articles on homeowner liability regarding hazardous trees, and recommended he consult an arborist ASAP. Subsequently he notified me that the arborist recommended the tree be taken down immediately, and he was able to have it done within a week.
On August 21st I received a signed permission form and a nomination form for two trees in western Frederick County. Dori, Kathie and I have made plans to travel to Baltimore, Carroll and Frederick Counties on 9/9 to measure these and other pending trees.
On August 23rd I received an email from Chris Golley, Big Tree Coordinator from Harford County, stating that he had prepared a spreadsheet on trees on public lands at the request of the Master Gardeners. I spent a number of hours over several days reviewing and editing the list, and mailed it back to Chris.
On August 24th Dan Lievans wrote to say the entry format for the MBTP web site has been completed. He provided a password and program name. Since then I have accessed the format a number of times and entered several trees. We are still waiting to see some of the entered data appear on the web site.
PA Big Tree- Add Tree
• County
• Technique
• Year Nominated
• Year Last Measured
• Circumference Inches
• Height Feet
• Spread Feet
• Points
• Address
• GPS Coordinates
• Measuring Crew
• Original Nominator
• Comments
• National Champion
• Retired
• Penn Charter
• Multistemmed
• Tallest
•
On August 30 a citizen called to nominate a large sycamore that appears to be on the State right-of-way on Route 26 in Carroll County. I wrote to DRN Project Forester Donna Davis asking her to provide an SHA contact so I can confirm the ownership. We may be able to measure that tree on 9/9.
September 26,2012
John Bennett, Maryland Big Tree Coordinator
Report to Board – August, 2012
On August 2nd I gave a presentation to the Harford County Master Gardeners at their Forest Hill office at 7:00 p.m. 27 Master Gardeners and 2 Harford Forestry Board members were present. The presentation went well. I was given a check for $50, made out to the Forestry Board Foundation. I mailed the check to Dawn Balinski. 5 members gave me their contact information and asked that I mail them the permission and nomination forms. I have done so, but have had no response since then from anyone.
As a result of the newspaper article which appeared on August 1 in the local Charles County newspaper, I received telephone calls from 3 owners who requested the necessary forms. I have mailed them, but have received no responses.
On August 4th, Michael, Gabrielle, Dori, and I measured the large northern red oak in Elkton.
The measurements are 17’ 4” circ., 95’ ht., 82.5’ spread, 324.0 points. It is the new Cecil County champion. The certificate packet was mailed, and a draft article for the Cecil Whig was sent to the editor, Jacob Owens.
Also on August 4th, I received a completed nomination form for a baldcypress in Wicomico County. The nominator had determined the tree was on State Highway property and had gotten a sign-off from the SHA county administrator. DNR Ranger Kathy Kronner measured the tree for him. The measurements are 9’ 10” circ., 61’ ht., 46’ spread, 191.0 points. I sent a certificate to the nomination and he sent back a “thank you” letter.
Beginning on August 7th, I exchanged emails with Audrey Stuller, employed by a company doing tree survey work for DNR Wildlife and Heritage. She was finding what she thought were small slippery elms. I sent her some ID material. She later decided they actually were small American elms.
On August 7th I called Shirley Bailey in Dorchester County. We had a good conversation and discussed the reason for her resignation. We agreed that I would write a “Letter to the Editor” for the local newspaper, which she would submit. She has done so on August 10th, with a follow up request on August 29th, but the article has not yet been printed.
On August 10th, Ted Cooper, Howard County Big Tree Coordinator, sent me a spread sheet of some 25 trees that he had measured—all of which were on public property so no permission forms were required. Since then I have been registering those trees and preparing data sheets. Dori and I have scheduled 9/6 to travel to Howard County to photograph as many of them as we have time for. One tree, a silver maple, may be a National Champion.
On August 13th a big tree owner sent me a signed permission form and nomination forms for two trees on her property in Montgomery County. I emailed Joli McCathran, Big Tree Coordinator for Montgomery County, and she has contacted the owner, but not yet made arrangements for the measurement.
On August 15th I was contacted by a member of the Southern Maryland Woodcarver’s Association. He wanted my help in obtaining a portion of the wood from the former U.S. Champion American basswood in Chapman Woods State Park. I explained why that was not possible. I agreed I would send him the “before and after” photos of that tree, and would notify him if any other basswood in the area were to become available for woodcarving.
On August 16th Wayne Merkel emailed me to say that the measuring equipment for Howard County had been purchased. I notified Ted Cooper and later in the month Ted picked up the equipment from the DNR office. I recorded the serial number of the hypsometer.
On August 17th I was notified by a representative of the Environmental Office of the State Highway Administration that the former State Champion sugar maple in Harford County was about to be taken down. I thanked him for the advance notice and told him we had already removed it from the “active” file and moved it to the “deceased” file.
September 26,2012
John Bennett, Maryland Big Tree Coordinator