Every now and then, I come across a special tree. One that was left unharvested because it so inspired people. The landowners left this tree when they logged the property. The ones that owned it next also left it, and so it goes. This tree is 7′ 3″ in diameter at breast height (DBH). The largest Ponderosa pine on record today is 9′ 2″. The Guardian isn’t the biggest, but it’s a big BIG tree.
The sign reads, “The Guardian Borne ? Age ? May You Live Forever”
That’s a nice sentiment, but it won’t happen. Trees, like people, have a limited lifespan and Ponderosa pines if left to grow their natural lives rarely survive to 500 years. However, one Ponderosa was measured at 933 years. Like the sign says, “Age ?” for The Guardian.
What brainiacs decided it was a good idea to graffiti this tree with chainsaws? Ponderosa pine has flaky bark that sheds off. If they would leave it alone for a couple of decades, most of the carving would disappear.
It’s always a Kodak moment when I come across one of these forest giants. Some that I’ve seen included an 8′ plus sugar pine near McCloud, the 8′ “Mother Viola” sugar pine near Viola (now deceased from a huge wind storm), a 7′ western white pine near LaPorte and a 10′ Douglas-fir near Quincy, all in California.
I parked close to the tree as a size reference. Many of the young trees below are it’s offspring.
If your are interested in the biggest trees in the United States, you can check out the Big Tree Registry.
Meet Skidder, no he’s not my dog. He belongs to the logging crew I was visiting. Yes, I gave him back, after a ride in my truck.
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Tim,
I enjoyed your coverage of The Guardian. Those young trees come from good stock. You’ve seen some big trees!
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You’re absolutely right about those young trees coming from good stock. Selecting seed from the best trees is how we get most of our seed for seedlings.
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Wow! Those are huge! What an interesting post! Thanks!!
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Thank you CJ! Got to love those huge trees. 🙂
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that is a beautiful tree and a beautiful story! thanks for the image with your truck – wow, – if only that tree could talk and share its stories and its wisdom – and its appreciation for those who thought it too beautiful to harvest!
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Indeed!
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Tim, That is interesting… What make me think they live forever.. outside of my garden?! Beside they are beautiful great decision to let them grow to the record book..
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One never knows how things turn out. The “Mother Viola” tree was enormous, but a huge storm snapped it off like a match stick. No record book for that tree.
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That is why we got Tim! The trees are amazingly stractured and look super great too.
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Skidder looks quite at home in your truck. I love the picture of the tree and truck. That is a great shot from bottom to top.
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Thank you Kay! Skidder helped me get my golden fix.
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What a great tree! It has extraordinary bark, such huge segments! Its good to know that some of the really old ones are shown that much respect.
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So true Anna.
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It is hard to imagine the scale of those trees without a reference. Skidder is a pretty cute guy. I like his name.
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He used to bark at me when I showed up. That all stopped when he met Blitz. Now with Blitz gone, I guess he decided I was still ok.
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