Great Trees of the Eastern U.S.

The project objective will be to develop and maintain a database on exemplary old-growth forest stands, with trees of exceptional stature, with unique trees adapted to extreme sites, or with ancient trees. Tree growth form as related to climate, soil and topographic conditions, and age will be documented for several major tree species throughout their range in the eastern U.S. forest. Eastern white pine, eastern hemlock, northern white cedar, sugar maple, red maple and red oak are likely species to study. All of these and many other species have a range extending from the Appalachians to New England, to the Great Lakes. Variability within these large ranges is important. Trees are adapted to their local climate. Many reforestation efforts require that seed sources for planted trees be within 100 miles of the planting site. Yet, there is no database of stands with exemplary seed sources that extends across the range of species which could be used for reforestation and restoration projects. The project is in cooperation with the Eastern Native Tree Society.