Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Listening Point - General Discussion :: Do you have a favorite tree ?
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missmolly |
msnature: "I honesty don't recall exactly where this tree was but it left me in awe because if it's size. We Camped on Duncan that year and visited Rose, Partridge and even went into Canada for a bit. That bark looks as big as loaves of bread! |
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arctic |
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missmolly |
Spartan2: "Yes. Do you mind sharing the memory, Linda? |
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Spartan2 |
But perhaps it was as much the memory as the tree. (Caribou Lake, 1992) |
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TomT |
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SaganagaJoe |
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TomT |
From L to R. A) Unnamed between McIntyre and Fishhook (Earl). This one might be the landing at "Ho Ho Lake". B) McDougal Lake. C) On portage from Kett to Basswood. |
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LindenTree |
Not the BW but in Isabella. Just off state hwy 1 on the south side of the road, east of the Little Isabella River campground is a White Pine about 1.5 - 2 feet in diameter. This tree survived the 1999 blow down, sits all alone after all its nieghbors were downed. The area was salvaged logged, and now it was ready for a prescribed burn as a site prep prior to replanting. I was burn boss of this prescribed fire project, we lit the fire and things were progressing just fine, the fire was getting closer to this lone White Pine and I knew it would not survive the fire since it had jack strawed logs all around its base. (The radiant heat would have killed its cambium) I continued to ponder about this lone tree dying and as the fire got ever closer to this tree, I instructed one of the BIA fire engines from the Fondu Lac Rez to "Save that Tree" The fire crew pulled hose up to that tree and did indeed save it. That lone tree still stands guard over its siblings that were replanted and are about 15 feet tall now. I look at it every time I drive by it and recall its story of survival. |
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nctry |
Jaywalker: "In the book Gunflint Burning they mention and show a photo of what they say is the oldest living tree in Minnesota - a cedar on Seagull Lake. I've never seen it (yet), but if I had that would almost certainly be my favorite. Just think of how much has happened during that one tree's lifetime of 1,000 years. " The one on Bayley bay on basswood is even older...? If I recall 1100 yrs old. |
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msnature |
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Jaywalker |
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Stumpy |
Springer2: "TomT: "I'm always amazed at the ones growing right out of a crack in the rock. I would imagine these trees are fairly old even though they are small in stature. Love that Black & White ! |
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walllee |
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Diego |
Spartan2: "missmolly: "Spartan2: "Yes. You have a way with words... beautiful story and an inspiration for us all to get out and make all we can of what we are given. Thanks for sharing that day with us. |
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goatroti |
Pines like this grow on Philip Edward Island on the north shore of Georgian Bay, due south of Killarney Park. They spring from bare rock, desperate to get a root hold. They are buffeted by the onshore winds, crushed by the winter snows and ice spray, yet they carry on like the Elephant Man seeking their place in the forest rabble. This one caught my attention out behind Site #144 on Nellie Lake in Killarney. It's a cedar tree and a birch growing from the same trunk. They fused long ago and then went their separate ways, forever affixed at the hip. |
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missmolly |
goatroti: " Beautiful line here: "... yet they carry on like the Elephant Man seeking their place in the forest rabble." Cool photos too! |
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tumblehome |
That is an amazing photo. Lots of words in the picture. I see a lot of serenity and love in it. I think that's the place we all want to go to in our dreams, right there. |
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jwartman59 |
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Stumpy |
That's another good question, if anyone wants to post that. |
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DeanL |
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Banksiana |
There is also a tree on the portage between unnamed and Irene (towards Kahshahpiwi) on the unnamed side. Tallest white pine I've seen anywhere. It's unreal [there are also some mighty tall trees on the portage out of Kahsh towards Irene- sheltered by the tall cliff they grow below]. |
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Stumpy |
Banksiana: "I'm a big fan of the tall white pine that towers above an island on Ted. I tramped to its base and part of its height is due to it having taken root a tall projection of rock in the center of the island that is completely capped by this tree. Cool.... That's what I'm talking about. |
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Spartan2 |
missmolly: "Spartan2: "Yes. Not at all. It was the last morning of our 22-day BWCA trip in 1992. A June trip with record cold temps, many lakes, many portages, and more than a few challenges. That morning finally dawned warm, and so inviting. Because I hated so much to end the trip, I was still dozing in the tent while Spartan1 got up and built what he always called a "junk fire" (little dead pine branches and small stuff, not what you would ever cook over) and he warmed up some water for instant coffee. When I finally made myself crawl out of the tent shortly after sunrise had faded, I saw him standing under the tree with his first cup of coffee, looking out at the lake. A single loon was calling, not too far in the distance. Because I never crawled out of the tent without my camera around my neck, I snapped this photo before he knew I was awake. It was a very special morning for us. We lingered around camp and had breakfast. We were in no hurry. When we finally got to the Lizz-Poplar portage, I cried all the way across my second carry. This had been our "trip of a lifetime" and we both knew it. We didn't know then, but Spartan1's kidney disease diagnosis came that autumn and we began a long 16 years on the infamous "kidney diet", followed eventually by dialysis, and then the miracle of the transplant ten years ago. But that last portage just ripped my heart out. I had thought that after three weeks I would be ready to leave the canoe country, and instead, I was still wanting more. When we got to Poplar, rather than heading directly back to Rockwood Lodge for our car and our trip back down the Gunflint, we paddled down to the other end of the lake and just puttered around there. Then we stopped at the dock for Trail Center, and walked up (incredibly grubby after three weeks on the trip) and enjoyed big burgers and malts for our lunch. And finally we had to go face the end of our trip. Whenever I see this photo and think of that wonderful tree, I am carried back in time to that morning. |
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Great Melinko |
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missmolly |
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bwcadan |
On the same island, there was/is a tree by itself up the hill perfect for a portable shower. |
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Banksiana |
TrailZen: "One of my favorite trees in Canoe Country is this bonsai in Quetico's Sarah Lake: Love that Sarah tree (just N and east of the bay holding the portage to Tuck). |
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Stumpy |
I think of the huge White Pine, that I really like, on the portage into Dack Lake in Quetico. But my favorite, is a huge White Pine in Quetico that shades a canyon like pinch, in the creek, that flows into my favorite bushwhack trout lake. I always plan a day hike, following the moose / game trail, along said creek. One of the highlights is to sit and have lunch, underneath it's bows, as we listen to the small waterfall next to it. |
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Pinetree |
Stumpy: "Do you have a favorite tree, that you've returned to on more than one trip ? That tree is a awesome one. My favorite one or maybe two is the huge white cedar on the portage between Hansen and Knife. So beautiful. I think i have heard like 500-1000 years or so? According to Lee Frelich University of MN Department of Forest Resource in 2002. Threemile Island has several excellent stands of ancient cedars. One of Frelichs favorites is on a small bay delimited by a little granite peninsula about 50 feet long with six cedars all between 500 and 1000 years old along its outer edge. These cedars have all the hallmarks of ancient cedars: |
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Springer2 |
TomT: "I'm always amazed at the ones growing right out of a crack in the rock. I would imagine these trees are fairly old even though they are small in stature. McDougal Lake, Quetico park, Ontario, 2007. |
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Springer2 |
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Portage99 |
My favorites are cedar, oak and poplar in that order. During my Wabi trip last year, we investigated a very unique, old cedar grove that had the river running under the root system. So, I would stand on this web of ancient roots and watch the water running underneath. It was just an unbelievable experience, like the grove was one one living, breathing being. The toppled, exposed root balls were sometimes 6' high and covered with new, tiny trees. Exploring the grove was like entering a strange, new world. Even a couple feet from where we entered, you felt "lost" and climb over all types of root webs. *Cherish that memory* I have many favorite trees that I visit regularly. 2-3 years ago we had a super bad ice storm that took out a lot of trees. I went walking in the storm because I love that extreme weather. And, I went walking after the storm. 3 of my favorite pine trees toppled from the weight of the ice, and the woods looked really unreal. It has been interesting to see how the woods recover. The root balls created these little caverns that are still there. Very cool. Pix below with my pooch. The other picture is an oak (distant oak in pic) that appears to reach a hand or tendril down a hill towards a local river. I visit this tree often. And, a random shot from this autumn. One of my favorite quotes: “I frequently tramped eight or ten miles through the deepest snow to keep an appointment with a beech-tree, or a yellow birch, or an old acquaintance among the pines.” ? Henry David Thoreau |
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OldTripper |
I have several pictures of it taken over the years posing with different friends. What makes it unique is it grows out of the ground, makes an almost 180 degree bend back towards the ground, then curves back up towards the sky again. When I first found it, it was only 3-4 inches in diameter. Now it's 7-8 inches. It's located on Insula, site 1334 I think, but not certain. |
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Basspro69 |
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TuscaroraBorealis |
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CrookedPaddler1 |
My second favorite would have to be the black spruce of all things. Brings back so many good memories of dogsledding through the black spruce swamps of the BWCA! |
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missmolly |
mooseplums: " This white pine managed to find a place all it's own on Susanette lake in the Quetico. That's a beauty! |
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Spartan2 |
mooseplums: " This white pine managed to find a place all it's own on Susanette lake in the Quetico. I love this tree! |
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ellahallely |
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sedges |
I have a few favorites in the southern Appalachians. Many familiar trees were lost in recent times in the canoe country. This cedar is on the shore of Cherokee Lake. There is a little, narrow sand beach there and both times I have visited there were wolf tracks on that beach. |
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TrailZen |
My favorite local tree is this white pine "donut tree" behind my mountain bike (Tarkiln Branch Trail, DuPont State Recreational Forest): |
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mooseplums |
Things like this in nature always capture my attention and awe. |
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missmolly |
jwartman59: "I always love the big pine forest south of lac la croix. The big pines always inspire me. Returning to my home I have a white oak in my yard that is a remnant of the oak savanna that was here prior to development. Many of these trees remain in my area. The city forester estimated my tree as at least 250 years old, most likely quite a bit older. I imagine what this tree must have witnessed, herds of Buffalo, elk, Dakota Indians traveling between the villages on the minnesota river to the village on bde maka ska. My dog appreciates the squirrels that call the tree home. I love the old oaks. I love how their branches have bent double elbows, where the branch takes a 90-degree turn followed by another 90-degree turn. |
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missmolly |
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AdamXChicago |
AdamX |
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missmolly |
ellahallely: " Bayley Bay tree." That looks like an Ent! |
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TomT |
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