A SURVEY OF ULTRA TALL EUCALYPTS IN SOUTHERN TASMANIA

A SURVEY OF ULTRA TALL EUCALYPTS IN SOUTHERN TASMANIA A report to Forestry Tasmania By Parry Kostoglou June, 2000 please note: to facilitate download ...
Author: Marilyn Daniel
1 downloads 1 Views 177KB Size
A SURVEY OF ULTRA TALL EUCALYPTS IN SOUTHERN TASMANIA A report to Forestry Tasmania By Parry Kostoglou June, 2000 please note: to facilitate download times, maps and photographs have been removed from this Web version of the report. A complete version can be bought from Forestry Tasmania, 79 Melville Street, Hobart.

2

CONTENTS 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5

INTRODUCTION Background Aims Methodology Previous work Constraints

2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3

SUMMARY OF RESULTS Tallest known tree in Southern Tasmania Ten tallest known trees in Southern Tasmania Tallest known tree stands in Southern Tasmania

3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4

LOCATION AND EXTENT OF SURVEY AREA Styx Valley Florentine Valley Arve Valley Upper Derwent Valley

4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4

TALL TREES OVERVIEW Tall trees throughout the world Tall Australian trees excluding Tasmania and Victoria Eucalypts in Victoria Eucalypts in Tasmania

5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7

METHODS OF MEASUREMENT Felling the tree Climbing the tree Clinometer Theodolite Laser range finder Remote sensing Comparison of technology

6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 6.9 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 6.14 6.15

SUMMARIES OF STAND ASSESSMENTS Andromeda stand Three Huts reserve Upper Cole Lower Cole Jubilee Junee Beech Creek Styx Big Tree Reserve Lady Binney Forest Reserve Hunns Creek reserve Pagoda reserve Twin Lakes Lawrence Rivulet Forest Reserve Mount Field National Park Florentine road

3

6.16 6.17 6.18 6.19 6.20 6.21

Styx 015B Bennetts road Arve Big Tree Reserve Arve Spur 2 Arve Loop road Arve Road

7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3

DISCUSSION Senescence and tall trees Tall Tree Management Zones (TTMZ’s) Comparison of past and present tall eucalypt heights in Tasmania

8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3

FURTHER WORK More survey work in Southern region More remote sensing work Survey work in other regions

9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3

BIBLIOGRAPHY Books Journal articles Unpublished documents

10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5

APPENDIX Recommended tree heighting methodology Tallest Tasmanian tree heights compiled in 1990 Tallest 3 heights for each sampled stand in 2000 85m+ ultra tall tree record sheets Historic photographs

4

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The author wishes to acknowledge the assistance kindly provided by many people during the course of this survey. Messrs. John Hickey and Graham Sargison from Forestry Tasmania conceived the project and graciously added a further two weeks duration to the field work, after one of many sobering days spent heighting giants. Other Forestry Tasmania personalities from the Mapping Section also deserve individual citations, among them Messrs. Bill Tewson, Peter McLoughlin, Andrew McGuiness and Roger Norris. I would also like to note my admiration to the photo interpreters Messrs. John Harris and Steve Maxwell, who make so much sense out of a pair of aerial photographs. Ms. Elspeth Baalman provided the key to success with field work when she generously volunteered the use of her laser impulse range finder. Mr. Leigh Edwards also proved an affable companion in the quest for the Southern Forest’s real giants. A note of thanks also to Mr John Webb of Fletcher Challenge for providing the location of the Upper Cole stand and much interesting tall forest information besides. The present search for tall trees was made possible by past endeavours undertaken by such men as Messrs. John Miller, Jack Potter and Don Frankcombe who between them, found, measured and reserved exceptionally tall tree stands, which would not have otherwise survived. Ms. Jayne Balmer of the Department of Primary Industry, Water and Environment offered information and data about tall trees known to that agency. Finally I would like to thank two teams of men, each having the opportunity to exhibit their own unique talents amongst ultra tall forest. Firstly Messrs. Tom Greenwood and Kim Knight who actually managed to physically climb Tasmania’s tallest trees with much aplomb. Finally I wish to thank Messrs. Tony Wells and Nigel Youd of Maydena whose good humour and camaraderie belied their profound knowledge of the forest and its tallest denizens.

5

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background This survey was commissioned by Forestry Tasmania in order to accurately record the present heights of putatively tall eucalypt trees in Southern Tasmania. Although several trees in known stands of tall forest had been measured in the past, it was anticipated that these heights would change over time. Growing public interest in tall trees highlighted by the Wilderness Society’s recent promotion of tall trees in the Styx Valley, has made such a clarification of tall tree heights and locations all the more compelling. 1.2 Aims In the project brief, the stated aims of this project were to: • • • •

Collate and review existing information on tall trees in Tasmania. Determine the heights of a small number of putatively tall trees. Report the historical and current information on Tasmania’s tallest trees. Prepare a preliminary register of Tasmania’s tallest trees.

The consultant has expanded beyond the brief by commencing a systematic field based heighting programme for selected patches of tall (E1) eucalypt. 1.3 Methodology This month long project commenced with a two day review of previous work on tall trees undertaken in both mainland Australian and Tasmanian contexts. This initial investigation involved a perusal of internal files and historic note books authored by Forestry Tasmania and Australian Newsprint Mills (ANM), in addition to more widely circulated secondary source material held by various public libraries. A further day was spent interviewing individuals who worked in the tall eucalypt forests of the Florentine and Styx Valleys. All this material was then collated to establish a field work programme which was subsequently implemented over an eighteen day period. During this field work, numbers of trees were heighted using a variety of techniques employed in twenty different locations. Other pertinent information such as each tree’s diameter/girth, crown characteristics and location were also noted. Subsequent to this field work, five days were entailed in the authorship of this report. 1.4 Previous work The issue of tall eucalypt trees in Tasmania has formed the basis for three previous investigations, which are summarised below. ANM surveyors (1962) The informal declaration of several tall tree reserves by ANM, was prefaced by a tree heighting programme undertaken by at least three surveyors employed by that company. Messrs. L. D. Davey, R. Terry and J. Eagle measured approximately fourteen very tall trees growing in the proposed reservations in the Styx Valley. A greater number of trees may have been assessed, unfortunately the original written records pertaining to this assessment, including all location details, have not been re-located. Potter (1987) As a consequence of the Federal government’s 1987 Helsham inquiry, ANM commissioned another registered surveyor to undertake a more expansive measurement programme in 1987. Mr. D. G. Potter took the heights of twenty one trees located throughout five informal ANM reserves and one wood production compartment in the Styx/Florentine valleys. These findings

6

were summarised in a short briefing paper, which unfortunately did not provide specific location details of the trees measured (Potter, 1987). Berrigan (1992) In 1992, the Forestry Commission of Tasmania instructed one of its employees, Mr. S. Berrigan, to prepare a register of Tasmania’s tallest trees including individuals from a variety of species in Tasmania. This assessment involved a collation of previous tree heights provided by Potter and Davey, but does not appear to have produced any new measurements for tall eucalypts. Once again, no location details for any individual trees, were provided, and the tall tree register did not eventuate. Other sources Helms (1945) and Mount (1960), have authored articles on individual trees of exceptional size in the Florentine and Styx Valleys. 1.5 Constraints The following constraints influenced the outcome of this survey. Time The most potent constraint was of course, the all too brief duration of the project. The location of exceptionally tall trees, even within a 100 hectare stand, is a formidable task, let alone amongst thousands of hectares of E1 (taller than 55m) type forest. Ideally, a considerably lengthier commitment would have been given to both the remote mapping of tall eucalypt stands and the subsequent field work programme. A project duration of at least six months would not have been inappropriate for this task. Eucalypt types In order to maximise the probability of locating the tallest possible trees, attention was focused predominantly on forest dominated by E. regnans, although E. obliqua, E. delegatensis, E. viminalis and E. globulus, are known to attain heights over 80 metres. Other physical/chronological attributes This survey was strictly limited to the consideration of a tree’s height in assessing its cultural value to the community. The survey did not specifically address other attributes such as girth/diameter, extreme age and exceptional individual characteristics such as hollowness. A comprehensive acknowledgment of trees on cultural grounds would require recognition of some of these characteristics. Localities searched This survey was limited to the southern region of Tasmania. Although this area contains the tree stands traditionally acknowledged as the tallest in the state, some exceptionally tall examples are known to reside in other localities around the state. The so called “White Knights” at Evercreech Forest Reserve in the state’s north east, is one notable example. This stand includes an E. viminalis tree recently heighted at 91.3 m (Ed. Tuohy pers. comm.).

7

2.0 SUMMARY OF RESULTS 2.1 Tallest known tree in Southern Tasmania As a result of this survey, the tallest known tree in Southern Tasmania is a 92 metre tall Eucalyptus regnans located within the Big Tree reserve, in the Styx Valley. 2.2 Ten tallest known trees in Southern Tasmania In descending order, the ten tallest known trees in Southern Tasmania are: Height 92m 90m 89m 88m 87m 87m 86m 86m 85m 84m

Species E. regnans E. delegatensis E. regnans E. regnans E. regnans E. regnans E. regnans E. regnans E. delegatensis E. regnans

Location Styx Valley Big Tree reserve Lower Cole road (State forest) Styx Valley Big Tree reserve Andromeda Tall Trees reserve Three Huts reserve Arve Big Tree reserve Three Huts reserve Upper Cole (WHA) Lower Cole road (State forest) Beech Creek (WHA)

At this point in time, ninety metres appears to be the maximum height for trees in known stands. There are probably a number of unsurveyed trees exceeding this height and perhaps even the one hundred metre mark, however these appear to be very rare and finding them would be very time consuming. 2.3 Tallest known stands in Southern Tasmania. A simple examination of tree heights derived from all sampled stands, suggests that in terms of the heights of their three tallest trees, the stands may be ranked as follows. This ranking should not however be considered as representative of all the trees in each stand, as the sample size is far too small to responsibly make such assertions. Sampled tall tree stand Styx Big Tree reserve Arve Big Tree reserve Lower Cole road (State forest) Three Huts reserve Hunns Ck. Tall Trees reserve Beech Creek (WHA) Lawrence Rivulet Forest Reserve Upper Cole (WHA) Pagoda reserve Styx 015B (State forest) Andromeda Tall Trees reserve Lady Binney Forest Reserve Mount Field National Park Arve Loop (State forest) Florentine River (State forest)

Mean height of 3 tallest trees 85m+ 85m+ 80m+ 80m+ 80m+ 80m+ 80m+ 75m+ 75m+ 75m+ 75m+ 70m+ 70m+ 65m+ 65m+

8

Florentine road (State forest) Arve Spur 2 (State forest) Arve road (Tall Trees Management Zone) Bennetts road (State forest) Jubilee (State forest) Junee (State forest)

65m+ 65m+ 60m+ NA NA NA

9

3.0 LOCATION AND EXTENT OF SURVEY AREA Four major river catchment systems known to contain stands of very tall forest, were targeted by this survey in south/south eastern Tasmania. These were the Styx, Florentine, Arve and upper Derwent River Valleys. These catchments contain tall old growth forest situated in State forest or National Park. It should be noted that several informal tall tree reserves were designated by ANM when some areas of State forest were previously under their management. Figure 1 overleaf shows the location and extent of all sampled stands. 3.1 Styx Valley Originating on the southern slopes of Mount Mueller and draining into the Derwent River at Glenora township some 42 kilometres to the east, the Styx river valley is perhaps the most renowned locality for very tall trees in Tasmania. This valley contains three stands of tall eucalypt sampled during this survey. These were: the Big tree reserve, Andromeda reserve and a stand west of the confluence of the Styx and South Styx rivers (Jubilee). 3.2 Florentine Valley Originating on the southern slopes of the Ragged range east of Lake Gordon and draining into the Derwent River at Wayatinah some 50 kilometres to the north east, forest in the Florentine river valley formed the bulk of ANM’s timber concession. This valley contains the bulk of the sample areas assessed during this survey such as the Lady Binney Forest Reserve, Lawrence Rivulet Forest reserve, Three Huts reserve, Hunns Creek reserve, Pagoda reserve, Florentine River, Upper Cole (WHA), Lower Cole and Florentine road stands. 3.3 Beech Creek (Upper Derwent Valley) One stand of tall eucalypt was sampled in the World Heritage Area south of Beech Creek. This waterway drains directly into the Derwent River between Wayatinah and Tarraleah. 3.4 Arve Valley Originating on the eastern slopes of the Hartz mountains south west of Geeveston and draining into the Huon river some 20 kilometres to the north, the Arve river valley has been used for timber production since the turn of the century. This valley contains six stands of tall eucalypt which were sampled during this survey. These were the Arve Big tree reserve, Bennetts road, Arve Spur 2, Arve Loop spur 5, Arve Loop road and Arve Tall Tree Management Zone.

10

4.0 TALL TREES OVERVIEW This section briefly summarises the heights of various tall tree species throughout the world in addition to those native to Tasmania and the Australian mainland. It should be noted that all trees heighted abroad and quoted in imperial measurements by Carder (1995) have been converted and rounded off to the nearest metre. 4.1 Tall trees throughout the world North America One of the major discoveries made by Europeans during their mid 19th century pursuit of “Manifest Destiny” across North America, were the immense forests of the Pacific north west, which contained the bulk of that nation’s tallest tree species. Principal among these was the Douglas-fir, a conifer which some historic sources claim grew to a height of 126 metres (415 ft.), although more contemporary measurements currently claim a maximum height of 100 metres (329 ft.) (Carder, 1995, p 1). Another extremely tall companion species to the Douglas fir is the Sitka spruce. One specimen on Vancouver Island dubbed the Carmanah Giant, is said to currently measure 96 metres (314 ft.) in height. Perhaps the most famous North American tree, and certainly the most massive is the Giant Sequoia which historically is said to have reached a height of 106 metres (347 ft.) although the tallest contemporary living specimen is 94 metres (310 ft.). The tallest living tree in the world today however, is a Californian or Coast Redwood. One specimen known as the National Geographic tree, is currently 112 metres in height (366 ft.). Some of the tallest heights for North American trees include the following collated from Carder (1995). Trees marked with an asterix, are still living, and related heightings are therefore all the more credible. Name of tree Lynn Valley tree Brummet fir* Eureka tree Tall tree* Carmanah Giant* Unnamed Uncertain*

Species Douglas fir Douglas fir Cal. redwood Cal. redwood Sitka spruce Giant Sequoia Giant Sequoia

Location North Vancouver Island Oregon Humboldt County, Calif. Humboldt County, Calif. West Vancouver Island Redwood Mtn. Grove, Calif. Sequoia National Park, Calif.

Height 126m 100m 116m 112m 96m 106m 94m

Year 1902 1949? 1914 1964 1988 1903 ?

Other Nations Despite the substantial diameter, canopy size and sheer immensity of their numbers, tall tree species in the three principal rain forests of the world (American, African and Indo-Malayan) do not reach much beyond 61 metres (200 ft), although some so called “emergent giants” will rise to varying degrees above the surrounding jungle canopy. A prominent rain forest species is the silk-cotton tree which inhabits rain forest locations in both central America and Africa, although the rain forest height record now appears to belong to a species from New Guinea known most commonly as the Klinki pine. Temperate forests in Europe produce shorter trees such as the oak and elm up to 46 metres (150 ft) in height, while some northern Asian species such as the Korean spruce may attain heights of up to 79 metres (260 ft). Some of these tallest trees (outside Australia and North America) are provided overleaf from Carder (1995). It should be noted that these heightings have not been subject to the same degree of verification as those from the former two localities.

11

Name of tree Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Tairua Number 3 Unknown

Species Klinki pine Koompassia excelsa Camphorwood Patagonian cypress Caucasian fir Japanese red cedar Silk-cotton tree Silk-cotton/Kapok tree Kauri Lebanon cedar

Location New Guinea Sarawak Indo/Malaysia Chile Black Sea coast. Japan Amazon basin Nigeria Waipoua, New Zealand Shropshire, England.

Height 89m. 84m 76m 73m 69m 65m 61m 59m 56m 43m

Year ? ? ? ? ? 1916 ? ? 1982 ?

4.2 Tall Australian trees excluding Victoria and Tasmania The wet eucalypt forests of Tasmania and Victoria are the principal haunts of exceptionally tall trees in Australia, and as such are dealt with in their own separate and subsequent sections. Fleeting reference should however be made to other less tall but nonetheless impressive tree species residing in Western Australia and New South Wales.

Tree name Stewarts Karri* Unnamed*

Species Karri E. nobilis

Location Manjimup, WA Cunnawarra Res. NSW.

Height 88m 79m

Year 1995 1997

Unnamed*

Red tingle

Walpole, WA

60m+

2000

King Jarrah*

Jarrah

Manjimup, WA

47m

1995

Source Carder(1995) http://www.forest .nsw.gov.au http://users.wantr ee.com.au Carder (1995)

4.3 Eucalypts in Victoria Historically, the tall eucalypts of Victoria held a monopoly on the tallest tree heights in Australia, although Tasmania has claimed this crown since the 1950’s with the discovery of the Big tree and its neighbours in the Styx Valley. This section sets out the tallest heights claimed for Victorian trees historically and currently, while further attempting to clarify why the historic heights remain so remarkably enigmatic. Historic measurements The historic heights for eucalypts in Victoria are, by far and away, the tallest claimed for any tree in Australia, and the world for that matter. The 152 metre (500 ft) height claimed for the Ferguson tree, is all the more amazing when one considers that the largest contemporary trees barely top 300 feet. Although the Ferguson height is the tallest for Victorian trees, many other impressive heights between 97.5 metres (320 ft) and 143 metres (470 ft) were claimed throughout the 19th and early 20th century, many collected by no lesser person than Baron Von Mueller himself (Director of Melbourne’s Botanical gardens). There has been much argument over the veracity of these heights, and several refutations have been made including that: • These measurements were simply unreliable despite their apparent attention to detail. • Baron Von Mueller was not above citing statistics from memory after their collection. • A reward offered prior to the 1888 Centennial International Exhibition in Melbourne for a 400 foot tree remained unclaimed despite extensive public advertisement.

12

• The tallest standing tree measured by instrument in c.1908 measured only 303 feet (Mace, 1996) Curiously, many of these measurements were made when the tree had been felled by timber getters, which would tend to simplify and increase the accuracy of measurement, thus adding to their credibility. A summary of these amazing historic heights for Victorian trees provided by Mace (1996) and Carder (1995) appears below.

13

Name of tree Ferguson tree G. W. Robinson E. B. Heyne T. Rolla Centennial tree Unnamed C. Walter Cornthwaite tree Gerraty tree Olangolah tree C. Hodgkinson New Turkey tree Neerim Giant

Species E. regnans? E. regnans? E. regnans? E. regnans? E. regnans? E. regnans? E. regnans? E. regnans? E. regnans? E. regnans? E. regnans? E. regnans? E. regnans?

Location Watts River Mt. Baw Baw Uncertain Uncertain Menzies creek Dandenongs Fernshaw Thorpdale, Sth. Gippsland Toorongo, Beech Forest Coranwordabul creek Mount Baw Baw Mount Baw Baw

Height 152m+ 143m 133m 125m 122m 119m 119m 114m 106m 106m 101m 99m 99m

Year 1872 c1889 1867 ? c1888 1862 1866 1880 1939 1900 c1865 1888 c1890

Current measurements On stark contrast to the historic heights provided above, the majority of current measurements for the tallest known eucalypts in Victoria fall below the 91 metre/300 foot mark, and as such match the Southern Tasmanian data derived during this survey. A summary of contemporary Victorian tree heights provided by Mace (1996) and Carder (1995) appears below. Name of tree Mr Jessop The Big tree Ada tree Mueller tree

Species E. regnans E. regnans E. regnans E. regnans

Location Wallaby Creek catchment Cumberland Tall trees reserve Powelltown forest Mount Monda

Height 91m 84m 76m 60m

Year c1996? c1996? c1996? 1990

4.4 Eucalypts in Tasmania This section summarises only the historic data on Tasmanian tall trees, as contemporary heights are dealt with more fully throughout the rest of this report. The most obvious feature about historic Tasmanian tree heights is how much shorter they are than their Victorian equivalents. Tasmanian record tree heights do not break the 350 foot mark, which fall well short of the historic average of Victorian tall tree heights. Even in the 1830’s, when exploitation of tall forest had barely begun, well travelled bushmen such as the Protector of Aborigines George Augustus Robinson, were suitably impressed by trees measuring only 260 feet in height, to make mention of them in journals (Tree listing in Wayn Index, Tas. Archives) Interestingly, the bulk of Tasmania’s tallest tree records prior to the 1950’s, were derived from E. globulus. One Tasmanian source writing in 1906 was certainly effusive in his praise, claiming that; Baron Von Mueller, the well known Australian naturalist, says of a blue gum growing at Southport, in Tasmania, that it contained “as much timber as would suffice to build a 90 ton schooner”(Lewin, 1906, p. 71.) The same source however then acknowledged the superiority of a species which he called Eucalyptus amygdalina (this must have been taxonomically altered subsequently to become E. regnans). “The Peppermint Tree (Euc. Amygdalina) of Tasmania are admitted to be the tallest trees in the world. Some have been measured from 416 to 471 feet in height, and one of the latter species reached 500 feet”. (Lewin, 1906, pp. 71-72). Emulating the sceptical Victorian authorities, the Tasmanian government offered its own reward in 1932, for

14

anyone who could find a tree in Tasmania exceeding 111 metres (363 ft) in height, which was at that time the height of America’s “tallest tree in the world”. The reward was never claimed (Correspondence dated 26th Nov. 1932. Conservator of Forests to Mr. W. F. Clark. Forestry Tasmania Tall Trees file). It is interesting to note that subsequent correspondence emanating from the Chief Conservator of Forests rather scornfully derided the likelihood of a Tasmanian tree taller that 300 feet, although at that time Victoria’s tallest authoritative tree stood at 99 metres (325 ft) high. A successful Tasmanian challenge to existing tall tree records such as this was subsequently mounted in 1956, with the discovery by ANM of the big tree and Andromeda stands in their concession. The 98 metre (322 ft) height for the biggest tree in this block has remained the official record to the present day, although most knowledgable tall tree watchers have privately acknowledged the deterioration of these trees in the subsequent 40 years since their first discovery. A summary of historic Tasmanian heights is provided below based on a number of primary and secondary sources. Name of tree Lady Franklin Unnamed Big Ben

Species E. globulus E. globulus E. amygdalina

Location Tolosa, Mt. Wellington Huon River, Geeveston Stanmore, Dover

Height 101m (330 ft.) 101m (330 ft.) 79m (260 ft.)

Year ? ? 1893

Unnamed Unnamed Unnamed

E. globulus E. globulus Unknown

Huon road ?

94m (310 ft.) 97m (318 ft.) 260 ft.

1911 c1890 1831

Unnamed

Unknown

West Kentish

260 ft.

c1900.

Source Lewin (1906) Lewin (1906) Tas. Archives 30/3012 Lewin (1906) Lewin (1906) G.A. Robinson cited in Wayn index, Tas. archives Tas. Archives 30/8322

15

5.0 METHODS OF MEASUREMENT Several methods have been employed with varying degrees of success to height trees. This section outlines those known to/employed by the author, and further seeks to compare and contrast their reliability. 5.1 Felling the tree The most common method of historically heighting trees appears to have involved the deployment of a tape measure or surveyors chain along the length of the felled trunk and then the same with the stump and any broken crown mast. Because no proper descriptions of such methods appear to have been collected, almost all historic measurements must be treated with some scepticism. It can also be speculated that as most trees were felled and then measured by timber getters, it seems unlikely that they would have bothered to carry accurate measuring devices such as tape measures. Therefore, the trees would have been measured by foot pace. 5.2 Climbing the tree It is unlikely that many trees were heighted historically by the physical act of taking a tape measure to the very top of the tree and measuring the distance down to the base. This is because traditional climbing techniques, employing spurs and ropes were inevitably frustrated by branches which prevented the climber from ascending to the top of the tree. More recent advances in climbing equipment now allow this type of measurement, and indeed climbers were successfully employed to height trees during this survey. Although minimal difficulties were encountered with lowering tapes, the dangerous condition of some upper crown timber prevented the climbers from placing the tape at the very top of some trees, which involved estimation of up to 5 metres in total height. Total heights provided by climber deployed tape measurements correlated very well with heights derived by theodolite and laser impulse (see section 6.7 overleaf). 5.3 Clinometer Both Suunto and Haga clinometers were used in association with a measuring tape to height several trees during the earliest phase of the project. These instruments consistently produced the largest errors of all techniques trialed during this project, erring between 2 and 6 metres. This was variously attributed to errors in calculation by the user and poor crown visibility. As result, this is deemed to be the least accurate method for heighting trees, and resulting heights should be re done with more accurate technology such as a theodolite or a laser range finder. 5.4 Theodolite An Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) theodolite was used to height a small selection of exceptionally tall trees where independent verification was deemed advisable. The theodolite proved to be very accurate because a specific point on the tree crown could be consistently chosen and “shot” through a high magnification lens with cross hairs mounted on a tripod which further steadied the device. Providing that all computations made by the user are correctly done, this is consistently the most accurate method, if not the most user friendly, as a well cut corridor for horizontal distance measurement has to be cleared for every heighting. The theodolite equipment also suffers from a lack of easy portability. 5.5 Laser range finder A laser “Impulse Series 2000” manufactured by Laser Technology Inc, was obtained in order to obtain more accurate heightings than those provided by clinometer. The model used has an effective range of between 200-500 metres, allowing the tallest trees to be measured comfortably. Two distinct advantages with this device are its extreme portability (it fits in a large coat pocket) and the speed at which a tree can be heighted. The ‘impulse’ can record a

16

tree height in twenty seconds, whereas all other techniques require a minimum of 20 minutes. The device’s accuracy is consistently impressive, and even shots taken at extremely acute angles provide heights with an error of 5 metres or less. Estimates taken of a horizontal distance greater than the tree’s height can produce measurements with accuracy comparable to the theodolite (see section 6.7 below). 5.6 Remote sensing Acquiring heights of trees off aerial photographs was used extensively to select likely stands of forest and individual tall trees. This procedure produced heights accurate to within 3 to 5 metres where the forest floor could be readily discerned below the tree crown and the subcanopy. Unfortunately much of the tall forest surveyed, had a sub canopy of species such as sassafras, which prevented the ground level from being discriminated. Heights obtained in this situation required the photo-interpreter to estimate the likely height of the sub canopy. As sub canopy heights were usually conservative, the total heights of trees with tall dense understoreys tended to be underestimated. Height estimation from aerial photographs can also be hampered by steeply sloping ground. For example, ground visible is assumed to be at the same height as the base of the target tree. On steep ground, this is not necessarily the case. In summary, this technique is certainly recommended as a means of discriminating potentially very tall trees, although its potential as an accurate tree heighting method, is limited to areas with good ground visibility. 5.7 Comparison of theodolite, laser range finder and climber deployed tape A comparison was made between the heights derived from a single tree by the theodolite, laser range finder and climber deployed tape measure. All three techniques agreed within 0.5m of each other.

17

6.0 SUMMARIES OF STAND ASSESSMENTS 6.1 ANDROMEDA STAND

Dominant eucalypt species: E. regnans/E. delegatensis P. I. Euc. class & extent: E1b (6.5 ha.) AMG grid reference: E 475000 N 5261000

Average tree height in 2000: 75m+ 1:25,000 map sheet name: Maydena Reserve name: Andromeda tall tree reserve Former compartment name: Andromeda (ANM) Access to stand: Jacques road via Styx road. Stand history (if known): These trees were estimated to be 350-400 years of age in 1960 when this stand was first assessed by ANM (1). Ten hectares of this stand was subsequently designated as a reserve by ANM in 1960. Description of stand: Overmature E. regnans and E. delegatensis with a wet sclerophyll shrub understorey. This stand was the home of the largest known E. regnans in the world. Tree heights taken in 1962 by ANM found the tallest tree here to measure 98.75 metres in height (324 feet), with a further eleven trees measuring between 98.45 metres (323 ft.) and 90.22 metres (296 ft.). The tallest tree today measures 88 metres in height, although this height is exceptional, with the stand averaging 75m+. 3 tallest heights in 1962 3 tallest heights in 1987 3 tallest heights in 2000 Diameter/girths in 2000

98.75m 88.1m 88m 362cms/11.55m

98.45m 87.7m 73m 239cms./7.6m

References: 1. Mount (1960).p. 20.

Recorded by: P. Kostoglou/ J. Potter/ J. Miller Date: 8/5/00

95.71m 86.4m 70m 264cms/8.4m

18

6.2 THREE HUTS RESERVE Dominant eucalypt species: E. regnans Average measured tree height: 80m+ P. I. Euc. class & extent: E1b+ (20 ha.) 1:25,000 map sheet name: Gordonvale AMG grid reference: E 457500 N 5285200 Reserve name: Three Huts reserve (ANM) Former coupe name/s: Lords 51 (ANM) Access to stand: Westfield road via Florentine road. Stand history (if known): Forty hectare block of forest designated as a botanical tall tree reserve by ANM in 1961 (1). Reputed to by 200 -300 years of age (2). Description of stand: Mature E. regnans. Variable understories of wet sclerophyll shrubs and sassafras rain forest. 3 tallest heights in 1962: 3 tallest heights in 1987: 3 tallest heights in 2000: Diameter/girths in 2000:

None taken 88.4m 87m 163cms/5.13m

80.0m 86m 175cms/5.6m

References: 1. ANM Ltd. file note F 1:43 dated 16/7/87 held by Forestry Tasmania. 2. John Miller (Formerly ANM employee) pers. comm.

Recorded by: P. Kostoglou/B. Tewson

Date: 2/5/2000

80m 169cms /5.4m

19

6.3 UPPER COLE Dominant eucalypt species: E. regnans Average measured tree height: 80m+ P. I. class & extent: E1a (50 ha.) 1:25,000 map sheet name: Gordonvale AMG grid reference: E 449350 N 5288150 Reserve name: World Heritage area (WHA) Former coupe name/s: Upper Cole 10 Access to stand: Upper Cole road via Tiger road. Stand history (if known): Unknown Description of stand: Mature E. regnans with sassafras and manfern understorey. 3 tallest heights in 1962: 3 tallest heights in 1987: 3 tallest heights in 2000: Diameter/girths in 2000:

None taken None taken 86m 166cms/5.23m

79m 166.5cms/5.24m

References: Not applicable

Recorded by: P. Kostoglou/J. Hickey et al.

Date: 4/5/2000

74m 125cms/3.93m

20

6.4 LOWER COLE Dominant species: E. delegatensis Average measured tree height: 80m+ P. I. Euc. class & extent:E1b (126 ha.) 1:25,000 map sheet name: Wylds AMG grid reference: E 451250 N 5296060 Coupe name: TI001B Former coupe name/s: Lower Cole 7? Access to stand: Lower Coles road via Tiger road. Stand history (if known): Stand age is probably 300 -400 years (1). Description of stand: Over mature E. delegatensis overstorey with celery top pine and sassafras understorey. 3 tallest heights in 1962: 3 tallest heights in 1987: 3 tallest heights in 2000: Diameter/girths in 2000:

None taken 86.9m 90m 307cms/9.7m

References: 1. J. Hickey (Forestry Tas.) pers. comm.

81.4m 85m 295cms/9.25m

77.4m 78m 254.5cms/8m

21

6.5 JUBILEE Dominant eucalypt species: E. regnans Average measured tree height: N. A. P. I. class & extent: E1c (45 ha.) 1:25,000 map sheet name: Skeleton AMG grid reference: E 467550 N 5258500 Coupe name: SX009B Former coupe name/s: Not known Access to stand: Jubilee road via South Styx road. Stand history (if known): Stand age probably 3-400 years old (1). Description of stand: Overmature E. regnans with sassafras and manfern understorey. 3 tallest heights in 1962: 3 tallest heights in 1987: 3 tallest heights in 2000: Diameter/girths in 2000:

None taken None taken 70m 280cms/8.9m

References: 1. John Hickey (Forestry Tasmania) pers. comm.

-

-

22

6.6 JUNEE Dominant eucalypt species: E. regnans Average measured tree height: N. A. P. I. Euc. class & extent: E1c (13.3 ha.) 1:25,000 map sheet name: Maydena AMG grid reference: E 467150 N 5269050 Reserve name: Informal reserve (Geology with landslip hazards) Former coupe name/s: Unknown Access to stand: Junee road via Maydena township. Stand history (if known): Surrounding forest formerly 300 years old prior to logging in 1920’s by Gourlay‘s saw-milling Co. from Fitzgerald (1). Regeneration probably the result of 1934 wild fire. Description of stand: Mixed age E. regnans overstorey with manfern and sassafras understorey. 3 tallest heights in 1962: 3 tallest heights in 1987: 3 tallest heights in 2000: Diameter/girths in 2000:

References: 1. Kostoglou, (2000) pp. 55-63.

None taken None taken 79m 374cms/11.9m

-

-

23

6.7 BEECH CREEK

Dominant eucalypt species:E. obliqua/ E. regnans/E. delegatensis P. I. class & extent: E1c (166 ha.) AMG grid reference: E 455570 N 5206620

Average measured tree height: 80m+ 1:25,000 map sheet name: Wayatinah Reserve name: World Heritage Area (WHA) Former compartment name/s: Pearce (ANM) Access to stand: Logging track off Florentine road 3 kilometres south of Wayatinah dam. Stand history (if known): Stand age possibly 300-400 years old (1). Description of stand: Overmature E. delegatensis with occasional E. regnans and E. obliqua over rainforest understorey. 3 tallest heights in 1962: 3 tallest heights in 1987: 3 tallest heights in 2000: Diameter/girths in 2000:

None taken 89m 84m 344cms/11m

References: 1. John Hickey (Forestry Tasmania) pers. comm.

85m 83m 364cms/11.65m

82.4m 83m 376cms/12m

24

6.8 STYX BIG TREE RESERVE Dominant eucalypt species: E. regnans Average measured tree height: 80m+ P. I. Euc. Class & extent:E1c(15 ha.) 1:25,000 map sheet name: Skeleton AMG grid reference: E 471940 N 5259560 Reserve name: Styx Big Tree Reserve (ANM) Former coupe name/s: Snowy 23 Access to stand: Walking track via Styx road. Stand history (if known): Stand age probably 300-400 years old (1). Description of stand: Overmature E. regnans with rainforest understorey. 3 tallest heights in 1962: 3 tallest heights in 1987: 3 tallest heights in 2000: Diameter/girths in 2000:

98.26m 90.1m 92m 472cms/15m

References: 1. John Hickey (Forestry Tasmania) pers. comm.

82.8m 89m 386cms/12.3m

73.8m 78m 296cms./9.4m

25

6.9 LADY BINNEY FOREST RESERVE Dominant eucalypt species: E. obliqua Average measured tree height: 70m+ P. I. class & extent: E1f (14.6 ha.) 1:25,000 map sheet name: Dobson AMG grid reference: E 460250 N 5270250 Reserve name: Lady Binney Forest Reserve (ANM) Former coupe name/s: None known Access to stand: Walking track via Florentine road. Stand history (if known): Formerly ANM forest reserve declared in 1951 (1). Description of stand: Overmature E. obliqua with rainforest understorey. 3 tallest heights in 1962: 3 tallest heights in 1987: 3 tallest heights in 2000: Diameter/girths in 2000:

None taken 82m 75m 340cms/10.85m

79.1m 74m 328cms/10.5m

References: 1. ANM Ltd. file note F 1:43 dated 16/7/87 held by Forestry Tasmania.

71.1m 73m 328cms/10.5m

26

6.10 HUNNS CREEK RESERVE Dominant eucalypt species: E. regnans Average measured tree height: 80m+ P. I. Euc. class & extent: E1a (17 ha.) 1:25,000 map sheet name: Wylds AMG grid reference: E 455020 N 5294280 Reserve name: Manning Road reserve (ANM) Former coupe name/s: Not applicable Access to stand: Manning road via Florentine road. Stand history (if known): ANM data claims that this stand and the neighbouring Pagoda stand, were both created by a wildfire in 1805. A subsequent escaped regeneration burn in the 1960’s accounts for the current shrubby understorey (1). Description of stand: Mature E. regnans with a wet sclerophyll shrub understorey. 3 tallest heights in 1981: 3 tallest heights in 1987: 3 tallest heights in 2000: Diameter/girths in 2000:

89m 80.6m 83m 191cms./ 6.1m

References: 1. John Miller (former ANM employee) pers. comm.

80m 78.8m 82m 225cms./7.18m

81m 181cms./5.81m

27

6.11 PAGODA RESERVE Dominant eucalypt species: E. regnans Average measured tree height: 75m+ P. I. Euc. class & extent: E1a (7 ha.) 1:25,000 map sheet name: Wylds AMG grid reference: E 454550 N 5294800 Reserve name: Pagoda reserve Former coupe name/s: Not applicable Access to stand: Junction of Tiger/Florentine roads at the Florentine river bridge. Stand history (if known): 10 hectare reserve designated in 1966 (1). Description of stand: Mature E. regnans with a sassafras and manfern understorey. 3 tallest heights in 1962: 3 tallest heights in 1987: 3 tallest heights in 2000: Diameter/girths in 2000:

None taken None taken 79m 126cms./4.05m

78m 132 cms./4.25m

References: 1. ANM Ltd. file note F 1:43 dated 16/7/87 held by Forestry Tasmania.

76m 168 cms./5.37m

28

6.12 FLORENTINE RIVER Dominant eucalypt species: E. regnans Average measured tree height: 60m+ P. I. Euc. class & extent: E1c (16 ha.) 1:25,000 map sheet name: Wylds AMG grid reference: E 454800 N 5295850 Reserve name: Informal reserve (Wildlife habitat) Former coupe name/s: Unknown. Access to stand: Florentine River flood plain north of Pagoda Reserve via logging spur. Stand history (if known): Unknown. Description of stand: Mixed age E regnans with manfern understorey. 3 tallest heights in 1962: 3 tallest heights in 1987: 3 tallest heights in 2000: Diameter/girths in 2000:

References: Not applicable

None taken None taken 74m 268cms/8.5m

70m 269cms/8.55m

64m 195cms/6.2m

29

6.13 LAWRENCE RIVULET FOREST Dominant eucalypt species: E. viminalis/E.regnans RESERVE Average measured tree height: 80m+ P. I. class & extent: E1b (14.9 ha.) 1:25,000 map sheet name: Gordonvale AMG grid reference: E 457550 N 5283280 Reserve name: Lawrence Creek reserve (ANM) Former coupe name/s: Not applicable Access to stand: Lawrence Creek road via Florentine road. Stand history (if known): 30 hectare reserve designated in 1958 (1). Description of stand: Overmature E. viminalis and E. regnans with a wet sclerophyll shrub understorey. The tall tree heights appearing below relate to E. regnans specimens. 3 tallest heights in 1962: 3 tallest heights in 1987: 3 tallest heights in 2000: Diameter/girths in 2000:

Not taken 81.9m 84m 462cms/14.7m

83m 267cms/8.5m

References: 1. ANM Ltd. file note F 1:43 dated 16/7/87 held by Forestry Tasmania.

83m 309cms./9.8m

30

6.14 MOUNT FIELD NATIONAL PARK Dominant eucalypt species: E. regnans Average measured tree height: 70m+ P. I. Euc. class & extent: E1c (12.6 ha.) 1:25,000 map sheet name: Dobson AMG grid reference: E 474700 N 5274850 Reserve name: Mount Field National Park Former coupe name/s: Not applicable Access to stand: Lake Dobson road via Lake Gordon Road Stand history (if known): Unknown Description of stand: Even age overmature E. regnans with wet sclerophyll understorey. 3 tallest heights in 1962: 3 tallest heights in 1987: 3 tallest heights in 2000: Diameter/girths in 2000:

References: Not applicable

None taken None taken 75m 532cms/16.9m

71m 348cms/11.12m

70m 351cms/11.15m

31

6.15 FLORENTINE ROAD Dominant eucalypt species: E. regnans Average measured tree height: 65m+ P. I. Euc. class & extent: E1b (4 ha.) 1:25,000 map sheet name: Gordonvale AMG grid reference: E 455400 N 5282150 Coupe name: FOO 20A Former coupe name/s: Unknown Access to stand: Florentine road south of Eden Creek road. Stand history (if known): Unknown Description of stand: Even age overmature E. regnans forest with manfern and sassafras understorey. 3 tallest heights in 1962: 3 tallest heights in 1987: 3 tallest heights in 2000: Diameter/girths in 2000:

References: Not applicable

None taken None taken 71m 227cms/7.23m

68m 346cms/11.04m

66m 218cms/6.95m

32

6.16 STYX 015B Dominant eucalypt species: E. regnans Average measured tree height: 75M+ P. I. Euc. class & extent: E1c (38 ha.) 1:25,000 map sheet name: Skeleton AMG grid reference: E 474750 N 5258150 Coupe name: SX 015B Former coupe name/s: Unknown. Access to stand: Skeleton road via Gee Creek Road via Styx road. Stand history (if known): Unknown Description of stand: Overmature E. regnans with wet sclerophyll understorey. 3 tallest heights in 1962: 3 tallest heights in 1987: 3 tallest heights in 2000: Diameter/girths in 2000:

References: Not applicable

None taken None taken 81m 380cms/12.1m

(Xmas tree) 77m 334cms/10.7m

76m 310cms/9.83m

33

6.17 BENNETTS ROAD Dominant eucalypt species: E. regnans Average measured tree height: N. A. P. I. Euc. class & extent: E1d (14 ha.) 1:25,000 map sheet name: Geeveston AMG grid reference: E 486900 N 5221200 Coupe name: KD 001A Former coupe name/s: Not applicable Access to stand: Bennett’s road via Arve road. Stand history (if known): Not known Description of stand: Overmature E. regnans with a wet sclerophyll understorey. 3 tallest heights in 1962: 3 tallest heights in 1987: 3 tallest heights in 2000: Diameter/girths in 2000:

References: Not applicable

None taken None taken 79m 420cms/13.1m

-

-

34

6.18 ARVE BIG TREE RESERVE Dominant eucalypt species: E. regnans Average measured tree height: 80m+ P. I. Euc. class & extent: E1f (62 ha.) 1:25,000 map sheet name: Geeveston AMG grid reference: E 481994 N 5222118 Reserve name: Arve Big tree reserve Former coupe name/s: Not applicable Access to stand: Arve Loop Road via Arve road. Stand history (if known): Not known Description of stand: Very overmature E. regnans with a mixed rainforest/wet sclerophyll shrub understorey. 3 tallest heights in 1962: 3 tallest heights in 1987: 3 tallest heights in 2000: Diameter/girths in 2000:

References: Not applicable

None taken 87m 87m 544cms/17.3m

82m 494cms/15.7m

-

35

6.19 ARVE SPUR 2 Dominant eucalypt species: E. regnans Average measured tree height: 65m+ P. I. Euc. class & extent: E1c (15 ha.) 1:25,000 map sheet name: Picton AMG grid reference: E 479120 N 5227200 Coupe name: PC 007D Former coupe name/s: Not known Access to stand: Arve Spur 2 via Arve road. Stand history (if known): Not known Description of stand: Overmature E. regnans with wet sclerophyll understorey 3 tallest heights in 1962: 3 tallest heights in 1987: 3 tallest heights in 2000: Diameter/girths in 2000:

References: Not applicable

None taken None taken 70m 394cms/12.6m

65m 318cms/10.2m

63m 271cms/8.6m

36

6.20 ARVE LOOP ROAD Dominant eucalypt species: E. regnans Average measured tree height: 65m+ P. I. Euc. class & extent: E1d (18 ha.) 1:25,000 map sheet name: Geeveston AMG grid reference: E 480400 N 5224300 Coupe name: AR 051F Former coupe name/s: Not applicable Access to stand: Arve Loop road via Arve road Stand history (if known): Not known Description of stand: Overmature E. regnans with wet sclerophyll understorey. 3 tallest heights in 1962: 3 tallest heights in 1987: 3 tallest heights in 2000: Diameter/girths in 2000:

References: None known

None taken None taken 71m 284cms/9m

71m 268cms/8.5m

68m 248cms/7.9m

37

6.21 ARVE ROAD

Dominant eucalypt species: E. regnans/ E. globulus Average measured tree height: 60m+ P. I. Euc. Class/extent:E1d/ER4c(10 ha.) 1:25,000 map sheet name: Picton AMG grid reference: E 479450 N 5227800 Reserve name: Arve Tall Tree management Zone (TTMZ) Former coupe name/s: Not applicable Access to stand: Arve road 450 metres north of Arve Spur 2 junction. Stand history (if known): Not known Description of stand: Mature E. regnans and E. globulus with wet sclerophyll understorey. 3 tallest heights in 1962: 3 tallest heights in 1987: 3 tallest heights in 2000: Diameter/girths in 2000:

References: Not applicable

None taken None taken 60m 268cms/8.5m

-

-

38

7.0 DISCUSSION 7.1 Senescence and tall trees The repeated measurement of the ‘Styx Big Tree’ dramatically illustrates the effect of senescence on tree height. Of the 21 stands surveyed in this study, 14 were considered to be over mature and senescing. Thus, most trees are shorter than they once were and these stands are not highly prospective for further searches of ultra tall trees. Stands such as Upper Cole, Three Huts and Hunns Creek are considered mature and thought to be approximately 200 years old. Many resident trees have thin crowns virtually intact, and have lost little or no height. These stands are expected to remain tall for a longer period than the over mature stands. In future, the tallest eucalypt trees will arise from regrowth produced by more recent wild fires such as those in 1898 and 1934, or even from silvicultural regrowth following logging of they are left unharvested for a sufficiently long period. 7.2 Tall Tree Management Zones (TTMZ’s) In addition to large ecological reserves which contain tall eucalypt forest, there is a need for accessible reserves of tall trees which are primarily for recreation and inspiration. Forestry Tasmania has complimented the existing accessible reserves by setting aside ‘Tall Tree management Zones’ which contain attractive, well stocked stands of eucalypts in areas that are mostly used for wood production. The zones are managed specifically for aesthetic, recreation and scientific purposes until the eucalypt trees reach senescence or are burnt by wild fires. When no longer suitable they will be harvested and areas of younger, or undamaged forest will be designated as Tall Tree Management Zones. 7.3 Comparison of past and present tall eucalypt heights in Tasmania A comparison of tall tree heights taken today and historically indicates that: the actual height of tall trees has not altered, nor has the community’s perception of what constitutes a tall tree changed appreciably over the same period. For example, an examination of historic tall tree heights cited in section 4.4 of this report indicates that the maximum height claimed for a Tasmanian eucalypt was 330 feet (100.5 metres). However, trees measuring considerably less around the 260 foot mark (79 metres), were considered equally noteworthy in 1833 (Robinson, G. A.) and c.1900 (Big Ben/West Kentish tree). It is also interesting to note that the 330 foot historic height record barely beats the 322 foot height obtained from a tree in the Andromeda block in 1957. Likewise, the tallest tree found during this survey measuring 302 feet (92 metres) would have been considered an extremely tall tree 100 years ago. Such similarities between historic and contemporary measurements in Tasmania, are contrasted by those obtained in Victoria, where historic heights are up to 60 metres in excess of the tallest contemporary tree. Such a discrepancy is yet to be satisfactorily explained.

39

8.0 FURTHER WORK The following suggestions are made in regard to further technical work related to tall trees research. 8.1 More field based work in Southern region Further tall tree related surveys could be undertaken at other E1 stands putatively tall trees at 70m+. Such localities in the Southern region include Glow Worm Creek, McLeods Creek and Blue Gum Spur. It would also prove useful to height trees in other regions. 8.2 More remote sensing work Further measurement of E1 stands could be undertaken gradually by the Photographic Interpretation section of Forestry Tasmania, so that those provisionally heighted at 70m+ could be re-visited in the field.

40

9.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY 9.1 Books Carder, A. 1995. Forest giants of the world, past and present. Fitzhenry & Whiteside, Ontario. 9.2 Journal articles Brown, M. Jarman, S. J. & Williams, K. J. 1987. The tall eucalypt workshop. Proceedings of a symposium on the reservation of Tasmania’s tall eucalypt forests. Forestry Commission, Hobart. Hardy, A. D. The tall trees of Australia. Victorian Naturalist. Vol. XXXV, July 1918. Helms, A. D. A giant eucalypt (Eucalyptus Regnans) Nichols Spur, Junee, Derwent Valley, Tasmania. Australian Forestry. Vol. 9, 1945. Kostoglou, P. 2000. An archaeological survey of historic timber getting sites in the Tyenna Valley vicinity. A report to Derwent District, Forestry Tasmania. Lewin, D. W. 1906. The Eucalypt hardwood timbers of Tasmania. John Vaill, Government printer, Hobart. Mace, B. Mueller.-Champion of Victoria’s Giant trees. The Victorian Naturalist. Volume 113. (4) 1996. Mount. A. B. Tall trees in the Styx Valley, Tasmania . Forestry Newsletter. Vol. 2. No. 7. June, 1960. Stone, M.G. 1998. Forest-type mapping by photo interpretation: A multi purpose base for Tasmania’s forest management. Tasforests, Dec. 1998. Vol. 10. Forestry Tasmania, Hobart.

9.3 Unpublished documents Miller, J. 1987. ANM Ltd. file note F 1:43 dated 16/7/87 held by Forestry Tasmania. Potter, D. G. 1987. Measurement of tall tree heights. Vicinity of Styx Valley and Florentine Valley. October 1987. Internal report to Australian Newsprint Mills.

41

10.0 APPENDIX 10.1 Recommended tree heighting methodology During this project, it became increasingly apparent that the accurate measurement of tall trees requires a standardised methodology which could be applied consistently. If nothing else, the earliest attempts in this study to height trees using traditional techniques showed how prone to over estimation, heights derived from such sources can be. This in turn has obvious implications for the interpretation of historic height measurements. As a response to such inaccuracy, a couple of other techniques were trialed and further refinements made in their application to tall trees. The following section summarises the problems encountered in heighting trees, and recommendations as to how to best overcome them. Measuring equipment Traditional height measurement instruments such as clinometers served the purpose adequately until increased accuracy made available by computer assisted technology, allowed people to be more discriminating. The one to five metre inaccuracies now known to have been commonplace with these devices, are self evident, and more sophisticated technology beckons. Tripod mounted theodolites have been, and continue to be the most reliable device, partially because of their stability, but also because they are the “weapon” of choice used by surveyors, who are the final arbiters on the actual legal heights of the tallest trees. The consultant however feels that a monopod mounted laser range finder would provide equal accuracy, and certainly with much less effort and potential error by calculation. In short, to accurately height a tall tree and expect people to believe you, the job should be done using either a laser range finder or theodolite. Climbing the tree with a tape measure was successfully employed on this job, but is not believed to have provided the same level of accuracy as the above mentioned devices. This method was certainly more dangerous and time consuming! Distance from object The distance between the measurer and the target tree remains an issue with sophisticated technology as it did with clinometers. Angles greater than 45 % will give erroneous heights, and the more acute the angle, the greater the error. Experience with the laser range finder showed that at a very proximal distance of 30 metres from the tree, a shot to the tree top with an angle of 65 -75 degrees, produced an error of between 3 and 5 metres. Even cavalier measurements of this type can however be used to quickly height many trees in a given stand in order to select the tallest for more accurate measurement. Sloping ground A shot taken from above/uphill of the tree is best to reduce the angle between the observer and the tree top. Straightness of tree Regardless of the measuring device involved, the relative straightness of the tree must be assessed prior to measurement. A tree bending towards the measurer will falsely increase the given height of the tree, while a tree bending away will unduly diminish its height. Definition of tree top In recognition of this problem, the upper most branch/ top of the tree should be the highest straight branch. The defined top of the tree is further complicated by differences in opinion over whether this should consist of living crown material, or a dead branch is sufficient evidence. For the purposes of this survey, dead tops were included in the estimate of tree

42

height. Some previous measurements, including those taken by photo-interpreters, have limited height estimates to the top of the live crown. Definition of tree base Almost as difficult as determining the tree top, the tree base is often unclear as; • the ground level around the tree may be a few metres above the general ground level due to accumulation of debris and bark over several centuries. • if the tree base is very large, (eg. The Arve Big Tree) and the ground is steeply sloping, then it can be problematical to determine mean base height. Clarity of shots to tree All instrument types require clear unobstructed views of the tree’s base and upper crown. In order to obtain such shots in tall forest, some denudation of interfering vegetation is usually required. As this is not acceptable in National Park or other conservation areas, heights from such localities must remain more opportunistic. Final independent verification One expectation from this survey, is increased public’s interest in tall trees, and more specifically, in discovering them. It is to be expected that many new claims of superlatively tall trees will eventuate. The suggestions outlined here are intended to encourage potential tree heighters to adopt best practice techniques and technology. It should be stated however, that all serious claims will require ultimate verification by an independent survey.

43

Appendix 10.2. Table showing the tallest known trees up to 1990 compiled by S. Berrigan.

Metric height 99m 98m 98m 98m 97m 96m 94m 93m 93m 93m 92m 92m 91m 91m 91m 90m 90m 90m 86m 80m 78m

Imperial height 324 feet 323 feet 322.4 feet 322 feet 314 feet 308 feet 306 feet 305 feet 304 feet 302 feet 302 feet 297 feet 297 feet 296 feet 296 feet -

Tree name

Date

Forest location

Instrument

Species

Styx 9875 tree Styx 9845 tree “The Terry tree” “The Eagles tree” The Irby Tree Styx 314 tree Styx 308 tree Styx 306 tree Styx 305 feet Styx 304 tree Styx 302A tree Styx 302B tree Huon 9083 Obliqua Styx 297 tree 9050 White Knight Styx 9022A tree 8992 White knight Styx 9022B tree The 86 Delegatensis The 80 Obliqua The 78 Obliqua

1962 1962 1962 1962 1962 1962 1962 1962 1962 1962 1962 1962 1962 1975 1962 1990 1990 -

Andromeda Andromeda Andromeda (Snowy 23) Unknown Andromeda Andromeda Andromeda Andromeda Andromeda Andromeda Andromeda Unknown Andromeda Evercreech Andromeda Evercreech Andromeda Unknown Unknown Unknown

Theodolite Theodolite Theodolite Theodolite Unknown Theodolite Theodolite Theodolite Theodolite Theodolite Theodolite Theodolite Unknown Theodolite Unknown Theodolite? Unknown Theodolite Unknown Unknown Unknown

E. regnans E. regnans E. regnans E. regnans E. globulus E. regnans E. regnans E. regnans E. regnans E. regnans E. regnans E. regnans E. obliqua E. regnans E. viminalis E. regnans E. viminalis E. regnans E. delegatensis E. obliqua E. obliqua

44

Appendix 10.3 The table below provides the three tallest tree heights for each surveyed stand in 2000. Due to time constraints, some stands only have one or two measurements. Stand name Styx Big Tree reserve Lower Cole Andromeda Three Huts reserve Arve Big tree Upper Cole Beech Creek Hunns Creek reserve Lawrence Rivulet Forest Res. Junee Styx 15B Pagoda Reserve Lady Binney Forest Reserve Mount Field National Park. Florentine River Florentine road Arve Loop road Arve Spur 2 Jubilee Bennett’s road Arve road TTMZ

Tree 1 92m 90m 88m 87m 87m 85m 84m 83m 84m 80m 81m 79m 75m 75m 74m 71m 71m 70m 70m 64m 60m

Tree 2 Tree 3 89m 77m 85m 78m 74m 70m 86m 80m 82m 79m 74m 83m 83m 82m 81m 83m 78m 77m 76m 78m 76m 74m 73m 71m 70m 70m 64m 68m 66m 71m 68m 65m 63m -

Stand average 85m 84m 77m 84m 85m 79m 83m 82m 82m NA 78m 78m 74m 72m 69m 68m 70m 66m NA NA NA

45

Appendix 10.4 85m+ very tall tree record sheets Tree Species: Eucalyptus regnans Name of stand: Styx Big Tree Reserve Current height: 89 metres Eucalypt class & extent: E1c (15ha.) Diameter: 386 centimetres Girth: 12.3 metres Points of measurement: 40 metres south of Instruments used: Theodolite, laser range tree with theodolite. finder & climber deployed measuring tape. 1:25,000 map sheet name: Skeleton AMG grid reference: E 471950 N 5259590 Former coupe name: Snowy 23 (ANM) Current reserve name: (Styx) Big Tree Reserve Location of tree: Termination of 50 metre long walking track off Styx road. Previous heighting: 1957: 322 ft./98m 1962: 95 m 1987: 83m (measured by Terry) (measured by Davey) (measured by Potter) Age of tree (if known): 3-400 years old. Names of tree: Big tree /Terry tree (surveyor’s name) References: 1. Potter, 1987.

Recorded by: P. Kostoglou/ J. Potter

Date: 13/4/2000

46

Tree Species: Eucalyptus regnans Name of stand: Styx Big Tree reserve Height: 92 metres Eucalypt class & extent: E1c (15 ha.) Diameter: 472 centimetres Girth: 15 metres Points of measurement: 50 metres up slope Instrument used: Theodolite and laser range of tree. finder. 1:25,000 map sheet name: Skeleton AMG grid reference: E 472000 N 5259550 Former coupe name (ANM): Snowy 23 Reserve name: (Styx) Big Tree Reserve Location of tree: 80 metres south east of Big Tree. Previous Pre 1962: N.A. 1962: N.A. 1987:90.1m measurements: (measured by Potter) Age of tree (if known): 3-400 years of age. References: 1. Potter, 1987.

47

Tree Species: Eucalyptus delegatensis Name of stand: Lower Cole Height: 90m Eucalypt class & extent: E1b (126 ha.) Diameter: 307 centimetres Girth: 9.7 metres Point/s of measurement: 100 metres up Instrument used: Laser range finder slope of tree. 1:25,000 map sheet name: Wylds AMG grid reference: E 451300 N 5296120 Coupe name (FT): TI001B Reserve name: Not applicable Location of tree: 150 metres east of north eastern extent of Lower Cole road. Previous measurements: 1962: N. A. 1987: 86.9m (measured by J. Potter) Age of tree (if known): 3-400 years (1) References: John Hickey (Forestry Tasmania) pers. comm.

48

Tree Species: Eucalyptus delegatensis Name of stand: Lower Cole Height: 85 metres Eucalypt class & extent: E1b (126 ha.) Diameter: 295 centimetres Girth: 9.25 metres Point/s of measurement: 120 metres to the Instrument used: Laser range finder north across coupe clearing. 1:25,000 map sheet name: Wylds AMG grid reference: E 450860 N 5295820 Coupe name (FT): Lower Cole 7 Reserve name: Not applicable Location of tree: North western perimeter of coupe at top end of Lower Cole road. Previous measurements: 1962: None taken 1987: None taken Age of tree (if known): 3-400 years (1). References: John Hickey (Forestry Tas.) pers. comm.

Recorded by: P. Kostoglou

Date: 13/4/2000

49

Tree Species: Eucalyptus regnans Name of stand: Andromeda Height: 88 metres Eucalypt class & extent: E1b (6.5 ha.) Diameter: 362 centimetres Girth: 11.55 metres Point/s of measurement: 45 metres up slope Instrument used: Theodolite of tree 1:25,000 map sheet name: Maydena AMG grid reference: E 475050 N 5260880 Former compartment name (ANM): Reserve name: Andromeda tall trees Andromeda reserve (ANM) Location of tree: 30 metres west of walking track some 120 metres north of Jacques road. Previous measurements: 1962: 99 metres (measured 1987: 88 metres (measured by L. Davey) by J. Potter) Age of tree (if known): 3-400 years (1). References: 1. John Hickey (Forestry Tas.) pers. comm.

Recorded by: P. Kostoglou

Date: 13/4/2000

50

Tree Species: Eucalyptus regnans Name of stand: Three Huts reserve Height: 87 metres Eucalypt class & extent: E1b (48.1 ha.) Diameter: 163 centimetres Girth: 5.13 metres Point/s of measurement: 45 metres to the Instrument used: Laser range finder east of tree. 1:25,000 map sheet name: Gordonvale AMG grid reference: E 458080 N 5285640 Former coupe name (ANM): Lords 51 Reserve name: Three Huts reserve (ANM) Location of tree: 175 metres south of snig track terminus from Repulse road on northern edge of reserve. Previous measurements: 1962: None known 1987: None known Age of tree (if known): 2-300 years (1) References: 1. John Miller (formerly ANM) pers. comm.

51

Tree Species: Eucalyptus regnans Name of stand: Three Huts reserve Height: 86 metres Eucalypt class & extent: E1b (48.1 ha.) Diameter: 175 centimetres Girth: 5.6 metres Point/s of measurement: 40 metres to the Instrument used: Laser range finder north/up slope of tree base. 1:25,000 map sheet name: Gordonvale AMG grid reference: E 458080 N 5285670 Former coupe name (ANM): Lords 51 Reserve name: Three Huts reserve (ANM) Location of tree: 100 metres south of snig track terminus from Repulse road on northern edge of reserve. Previous measurements: 1962: None known 1987: None known Age of tree (if known): 2-300 years? (1) References: 1. John Miller (formerly ANM employee) pers. comm.

52

Tree Species: Eucalyptus regnans Name of stand: Arve Tall Tree reserve Height: 87 metres Eucalypt class & extent: E1f (62 ha.) Diameter: 544 centimetres Girth: 17.3 metres Point/s of measurement: 50 metres uphill to Instrument used: Theodolite, laser range Arve Loop road. finder and climber deployed tape measure. 1:25,000 map sheet name: Geeveston AMG grid reference: E 482820 N 5222080 Coupe name (FT): Not applicable Reserve name: Arve Tall Tree reserve Location of tree: 40 metres south of Arve Tree name: ‘Arve Tall Tree’ Loop road. Previous measurements: 1962: None taken c1990: 87 metres (taken by district surveyors) Age of tree (if known): 3-400 years? References: None cited

53

Tree Species: Eucalyptus regnans Name of stand: Upper Cole Height: 86 metres Eucalypt class & extent: E1a (50 ha.) Diameter: 166 centimetres Girth: 5.23 metres Point of measurement: 40 metres south/up Instrument used: Laser range finder and slope of tree. climber deployed tape measure. 1:25,000 map sheet name: Gordonvale AMG grid reference: E 449410 N 5287970 Coupe name (ANM): Not applicable Reserve name: World Heritage Area Location of tree: Approximately 250 metres north east of ridge line summit (see map below). Previous measurements: 1962: None taken 1987: None taken Age of tree (if known): 2-300 years? References: None cited

Recorded by: P. Kostoglou

Date: 13/4/2000