User talk:ATGTreas

The U.S. National Champion is the Brummit (aka Doerner) Douglas-fir along the East Fork of Brummit Creek in the Coquille River drainage west of Roseburg, Oregon. In 2008, this tree was re-measured via a tape drop from the top to the average ground level by a team from Ascending The Giants (keepers of the Oregon Big Tree Registry) at 327 ft., with a diameter of 11.5 ft.

Robert Van Pelt, author of Forest Giants of the Pacific Coast, in his 2008 Talk entry suggested these trees should be measured from their lowest ground level. This would eliminate many of the problems associated with measuring very large trees, including those with flaring buttresses or on steep slopes.

The Brummit Douglas-fir sported a live top at the previous 1998 measuring. That top is now dead but the ancient (estimates vary from 500-1000 years old) tree will continue to add girth for many years, even as it loses height.

The tree's measured height and diameter - and possibly its life span - have been compromised by a well-intentioned 3 ft berm built against the trunk to protect the tree from people. In 2008 major roots buried by this berm displayed significant, irreversible rot.

ATGTreas (talk) 22:01, 21 November 2010 (UTC) Source: Ascending The Giants