Die Baumriesen des pazifischen Nordwestens von Nordamerika

Alfeld

2005

S. 203-205

3 Abb., 9 Lit. Ang.

Unselbständiges Werk

200123295

This article deals with the giant trees of the Pacific Northwest of America (coastal area of British Columbia, Washington and Oregon). In accordance with Carder a tree enters the giant category, if it has produced one or more of following characteristics; 1) height 200 or more feet, 2) breast height diameter (bhd) 12 or more feet, 3) age more than 1000 years, 4) crown spread more than 150 feet or 5) unusual feature, such as massive butressing. In this region there was growing the highest tree of America and the highest coniferous tree of the world: The Lynn Valley Douglas Fir in British Columbia (h = 415 ft, bdh = 14,2 ft). Also today there are still standing giants with tree heights of more than 300 ft (Douglas fir 329 ft, Sitka spruce 314 ft, Abies procera 295 ft and Abies grandis 267 ft). There are big trees with a breast height diameter of more than 18 ft (Western red cedar 21,2 ft, Sitka spruce 18,7 ft). Some of these tree species have reached in age of more than 1000 years (Alaska cedar 1824 y, Douglas fir 1500 y and Sitka spruce 1500 y).