Gathering Growth Foundation

NEW PRINT ALERT! We’ve just added the Wally Waldron tree photo to our print shop. This photo was featured in the last issue of journal. Other sizes available upon request.

Common: Chinkapin Oak
Scientific: Quercus muehlenbergii
Location: Livingston County, NY

Circumference: 209”
Height: 68’
Avg Spread: 23’
Total 300

This Oak currently ranks in the top five White Oaks in NYS.

Common: White Oak
Scientific: Quercus alba
Location: Columbia County, NY

Circumference: 255”
Height: 78’
Avg Spread: 124’
Total: 364

A few weeks back Erik Danielson, a naturalist for the Western NY Land Conservancy received a tip about an area of impressive pines in the Adirondacks. Historic documents suggested that it was a pretty special forest in 1902, but was presumed to be destroyed in the Big Blowdown of 1950, after which it was never mentioned again. LiDAR analysis revealed hundreds of acres of tall trees right where it was thought that there shouldn't be any.

and I planned a trip with friend/photographer to this area this past July with the goal to find some big pines and explore the area. Erik arrived a few hours before I did and started venturing to areas the LiDAR was showing tall tree hits. After a few hours of bushwhacking Erik discovered what is now the largest known Eastern White Pine by wood volume in the world. Its full size indicates that it's sequestered roughly 35.7 tons of CO2 in its lifetime so far, equivalent to the emissions from driving a typical car for 350,00 0 miles. The entire area is packed with unusually large, old, and tall trees that were able to survive the 1950 storm that took down a lot of the tall trees in the Adirondacks.

just did a write up on the discovery featuring some of images head over to their blog to see more.

The print shop just got a few new additions. If there is a photo from the archive you’ve always wanted, let us know and we’ll add it to the shop. Thank you for your support! And to all that have ordered prints… they’re going in the mail tomorrow!

Common: Northern Catalpa
Scientific: Catalpa speciosa
Location: Dutchess County, NY

Circumference: 215”
Height: 88’
Avg Spread: 69’
Total 321

I spent the day driving along the eastern edges of the Hudson River yesterday in search of impressive trees. While there were plenty of sizable trees to behold, none truly stood out as particularly significant. After one too many stops and the repeated task of unbuckling my child from the car seat, I decided to call it a day. Just as I was preparing to leave the final town, an extraordinary tree captured my attention. Concealed behind a house, I was initially unsure of its species. As I approached, I discerned it to be a Box Elder. In all my years of hunting for notable trees, I had never encountered a single stem Box Elder trunk of such magnitude. Typically, they grow in clumps or as smaller trees near bodies of water. It was a fitting conclusion to a long day of seeking out remarkable trees.

Common: Box Elder
Scientific: Acer negundo
Location: Dutchess County, NY

Circumference: 172”
Height: 60’
Avg Spread: 66.5’
Total: 248

All you tree people out there! We’ve just launched a more extensive print shop featuring some of our favorite trees. As well, integrated the store with instagram so it easy to check out. Just tap photo and check out more prints for sale. Each print sale helps keep us out there finding new trees to share with you all. Thank you for the support ❤️🌲

While photographing this tree the other day I overheard a fun fact by an NPS park ranger giving a tour. The grounds of the Vanderbilt Estate are the oldest consistently maintained property in America. Located near the mansion, this Honey Locust is currently recognized as the largest known of its species in NYS.

Common: Honey Locust
Scientific: Gleditsia triacanthos
Location: Dutchess County, NY

Circumference: 228”
Height: 91’

Common Name: Red Oak
Scientific Name: Quercus rubra
Location: Putnam County NY

Circumference: 208”
Height: 72’

This White Oak is located next to an old farm house that dates back to 1860s. In my opinion there was probably a different farmhouse at one point that might match up better with the size/age of the tree. I believe this tree maybe be in the top three White Oaks in NY state with points.

Common: White Oak
Scientific: Quercus alba
Location: Dutchess County, NY

Circumference: 262”
Height: 85’
Avg Spread: 122’
Total Points: 377

A few weeks back I thought I had found the largest Cucumber Magnolia in New York State. But the other day I was sent a photo on instagram with someone in front of a massive Cucumbertree. The very next day I jumped in the car with my son and we made the journey to go see it. Hes only 19 months old, but has been on almost every tree mission I go on since he was born. As I approached the property I could see the trees massive limbs poking out from behind buildings on the property. I instantly knew this one would be bigger. What I didn’t know is that it would now be the 2nd largest known in the country. The current owners gave me a brief history of the property and house. Saying that the house is ver 250 years old and most likely the tree was planted then. As I worked my way around the tree documenting it and measuring, I watched my kid ride his bike around. Almost oblivious that the tree was there. I cant wait to show him photos when he gets older, so he gets to see all the places we’ve been. If you know of one larger, or know of any big trees in NY let us know.

Common: Cucumber Magnolia
Scientific: Magnolia acuminata
Location: Dutchess County, NY

Circumference: 286”
Height: 83’
Avg Spread: 95’
Total Points: 393