World's Largest Red Hickory Tree: world record in Clay County, Kentucky
Clay County, Kentucky, United States--A giant red hickory, located in Clay County, Kentucky, United States, is 175 feet tall and 56 inches in diameter at breast height, as measured by Jim Scheff, a forest ecologist who works with the nonprofit Kentucky Heartwood; the giant hickory tree sets the world record for being the World's Largest Red Hickory Tree, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.
"Carya ovalis, the red hickory or sweet pignut hickory, is a fairly uncommon but widespread hickory native to eastern North America. It is typically found growing in dry, well drained sandy upland ridges and sloped woodlands from southern Ontario, Canada, and in the United States east to New Hampshire, south to northern Florida west to eastern Texas and north-west to Nebraska.
"The red hickory is generally encountered as a medium-sized tree, capable of growing to 30 m (100 ft) in height. The single trunk is straight and often continues for the entire height of the tree, although sometimes splits into several large limbs once the canopy has been breached.
"The branches are strong, stout and long, ascending in the upper crown and drooping in the lower crown; the branches around mid-height are more or less horizontal. This creates a broad, thick, column-shaped form that casts dense shade. Individuals have been known to live from 100–250 years of age. The largest known red hickory, located in Clay County, Kentucky, is 175 feet tall and 56 inches in diameter at breast height." (Wikipedia)
"One of the Red Hickories he found stands over 150 feet tall. The other has a 15-foot circumference and stands over 160 feet tall, making it one of the largest trees in the state of any species. Both of them are larger than the current national champion. And since this species is only found in the eastern part of the U.S., by default they are the tallest of their kind in the whole world," the Louisville Public Media reports.
"“When we look around, almost all the trees around us have blue paint marking them, that means they are marked for harvest,” Scheff said. “And that is most of the trees here, a handful are being left for various reasons. Now those two largest hickories aren’t marked but they are still threatened by operations here.”
"This section of forest is part of the South Redbird Wildlife Enhancement Project. The district rangers say the timber harvest will help to restore forest health while providing timber products. Scheff is worried it could disrupt the delicate balance of the ecology in one of the few remaining forests in Kentucky harboring old growth, centuries-old trees."
"Ecologist Jim Scheff has measured two of the tallest red hickory trees in the world in an area marked for logging in the Daniel Boone National Forest. The tallest of the pair soars 14 stories over the forest canopy in the upper reaches of Little Flat Creek. There’s a hollow at its base where animals could take shelter and an old fire scar. Scheff thinks it’s probably too big for most logging equipment," the WEKU says.
"The U.S. Forest Service has earmarked nearly 4,000 acres of this part of the Daniel Boone for commercial logging, according to the environmental assessment. The timber’s estimated value is approximately $4 million.
"District rangers say the South Red Bird Wildlife Enhancement Project is necessary to create more young forest habitat for deer, elk, grouse and turkey, and it is part of a larger plan to improve the forest’s health. In these areas, loggers will leave behind seven to 20 trees per acre."
"Hike with Kentucky Heartwood to see the world’s largest known Red Hickory and other amazing trees (including some lovely old-growth) threatened by the Forest Service’s logging plans," the Kentucky Heartwood says.
"We will take a field trip to the Little Flat Creek area of the Redbird District of the Daniel Boone National Forest. Trees are currently marked for cutting, and we are still working to save them. We’ll be talking about ecology and natural history, the trade-offs inherent in management, and what you can do to help.
"The Hike: will include about 2.5 miles (round trip) of hiking on a relatively level forest road and about 0.5 miles of hiking off-trail, including some hiking along slopes and through brush. Attendees must be comfortable hiking in these conditions. The hike will take about 4 hours."
"Hickory - belonging to a section of the walnut family - is a canopy tree that is prevalent in eastern North America, although other species of hickory have been known to exist in Europe, Africa and Asia," the wikiHow.com says.
"The hickory tree produces a dense, strong, and shock-resistant wood that is commonly used to make tool handles, furniture, and decorative architectural elements. In addition, many types of hickory are sought for use in the content and preparation of food, and can be useful in survival situations.
"These guidelines will help you identify any hickory tree, so you can get to work on whatever you may need it for."
"A red hickory tree, thought to be the biggest in the world, reaches up through the canopy there. “It’s such a lovely landscape, in a part of the state that has been so sorely abused,” said Jim Scheff, a forest ecologist who works with the nonprofit Kentucky Heartwood," The Courier-Journal says.
"In a federal lawsuit filed against the Forest Service this week, Kentucky Heartwood claims one of the agency's projects is in violation of the Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Forest Management Act.
"The project, which the Forest Service calls the "South Red Bird Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Project," would involve more than 3,000 acres of timber harvested over 10 years, in addition to habitat improvements and recreational additions. The area spans parts of Clay, Leslie and Bell counties."
Photos: World's Largest Red Hickory Tree: world record in Clay County, Kentucky
(2-4) Louisville Public Media
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