The results are in for the Avoyelles Parish tree pictured and described in the previous blog. It --and its nearly as old companion-- are magnificent trees and easily qualify as Louisiana. Purchase Cypress Legacy Trees—“alive in 1803”. Congratulations to Brian McCann—owner/steward. The trees are located northeast of Marksville on bottomlands near the Red River-- tucked between cornfields just outside the Lake Ophelia National Wildlife. A unique feature of the tree pictured at right is its towering height and fully intact canopy--unlike most trees centuries old, it has not been struck by lightning and lost limbs Although the date on the plaque (see photo) is 2008, it was placed on the First tree (measurements below) on May 31, 2009.
First Tree (two corings)
Height—approx 105 ft.
Circumference--above buttress measured approx. 25’9” at 14 feet above base
Circumference measured approx. 40’2” at breast height
First tree coring is 1.5 inches—approx. 49 rings counted
Radius is 48 inches (based on the above buttress 25’9”circumference measurement)
Extrapolated ring count for the radius is calculated as 1.5”/48”= 49/x
x = 1568 rings
Second coring is 2.5 inches—approx 65 rings counted
Radius is 48 inches (based on the above buttress 25’9”circumference measurement)
Extrapolated ring count for the radius is calculated as 1.5”/48”= 49/x
x = 1568 rings
Second coring is 2.5 inches—approx 65 rings counted
Radius is 48 inches
Extrapolated ring count for the radius is calculated as: 2.5/48= 65/x
x = 1248 rings
Second tree (one coring)
Measured at 32 feet circumference at breast height
Second Tree coring is 1.5 inches—approx. 39 rings counted
Radius is 61 inches—
Extrapolated ring count for the radius is calculated as: 1.5/61 = 39/x
x = 1586 rings
Due to the small core lengths and estimated tree ring count from the cores (very faint rings despite sanding of core), I am making a conservative estimate of the first tree’s age at 900-1000 years. This estimate also allows for likely faster growing years during which rings are spaced farther apart than those counted on the core samples.
This estimated age would be consistent with that of cypress I’ve estimated at a similar age which had a smaller circumference. The conservative estimate also uses the smaller radius measurement (above the buttress)
For the same reasons I would also estimate the second tree’s age at a minimum of 800-1000 years (possibly a bit younger than the first tree since the radius used in the calculation was not above the buttress as with the first tree)
Dendrochronologists have validated both my estimated tree ring counts for trees of similar age and the extrapolation method I am using, but please bear in mind that this is not a “scientific” determination. However, I do feel confident that these trees could easily be 800—1000 years old—likely the oldest known living cypress in Avoyelles Parish, and among the oldest in the state. It is reassuring to know that Brian McCann and his son John will be caring stewards of such magnificent cypress.
I’m proud to add these trees to the inventory of La Purchase Cypress Legacy trees!
x = 1248 rings
Second tree (one coring)
Measured at 32 feet circumference at breast height
Second Tree coring is 1.5 inches—approx. 39 rings counted
Radius is 61 inches—
Extrapolated ring count for the radius is calculated as: 1.5/61 = 39/x
x = 1586 rings
Due to the small core lengths and estimated tree ring count from the cores (very faint rings despite sanding of core), I am making a conservative estimate of the first tree’s age at 900-1000 years. This estimate also allows for likely faster growing years during which rings are spaced farther apart than those counted on the core samples.
This estimated age would be consistent with that of cypress I’ve estimated at a similar age which had a smaller circumference. The conservative estimate also uses the smaller radius measurement (above the buttress)
For the same reasons I would also estimate the second tree’s age at a minimum of 800-1000 years (possibly a bit younger than the first tree since the radius used in the calculation was not above the buttress as with the first tree)
Dendrochronologists have validated both my estimated tree ring counts for trees of similar age and the extrapolation method I am using, but please bear in mind that this is not a “scientific” determination. However, I do feel confident that these trees could easily be 800—1000 years old—likely the oldest known living cypress in Avoyelles Parish, and among the oldest in the state. It is reassuring to know that Brian McCann and his son John will be caring stewards of such magnificent cypress.
I’m proud to add these trees to the inventory of La Purchase Cypress Legacy trees!
