While out a couple of months ago on a trail with a friend, I noticed a couple of rather large trees. It took a couple of months, but I finally got around to measuring them. I packed up a laser range finder and a 100' tape and off I went. The first and the one that I most wanted to measure is a Ponderosa Pine that I am confident is the largest specimen in Nevada. I measured it at 343" in circumference (9' 1" BHD). That equals the largest Ponderosa I was able to find online — anywhere in the US — and easily dwarfs the current Nevada champion at 240". However, the estimated height of 125' pales in comparison to the 259' behemoth that is the current US record-holder and is a bit shorter than the Nevada record of 150'. Depending on the calculations for "bigness," maybe a Nevada record-setter?
The next on on the list I originally thought was a cedar, but after closer inspection, I noticed the sprays weren't flattened as cedars are but more three-dimensional, indicating to me that it was a juniper (Juniperus sp.) Still, a large specimen measuring 306" around. It is a stubby thing, only approximately 40' tall. Not in Nevada, either. Oh well. Still a nice tree.
The last tree I measured was an alpine fir (Abies concolor) and was again in Nevada. I wasn't able to snap a photo, since I couldn't get far enough away to really get it in a photo without too many other obscuring trees. It measured 21' 9" around and 177' tall.
Regardless of the outcome of records, it was pretty good time getting out and about in the early fall. The leaves were turning and the trail empty.
Regardless of the outcome of records, it was pretty good time getting out and about in the early fall. The leaves were turning and the trail empty.
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