Trees at the end of their life cycle

[gallina1594]

Hey nuts, there are a few threads with inspiration trees from the wild, but im creating this thread specifically for trees that are nearing the end of their life cycle!

I feel like we can learn a lot by studying these types of trees. They have heavily pronounced aged features that we're all trying to apply to our trees! So here's the first tree, a pretty popular one, the angel oak tree

 

[Bonsai Nut]

That is a classic old oak - and it looks like one... but different tree families will look different as old trees. Maybe this is what you meant by "studying" these trees? For example an old elm:



An old pine:



An old juniper...

 

[gallina1594]

Yes perhaps I worded it a little funny! But that's what I'm looking for! I live in an area where there is little to no old growth forests. Nothing really over 60 years old.... So I've never even seen an ancient elm!

Hopefully we can get a wide variety of very old tree species now

 

[gallina1594]

That is a classic old oak - and it looks like one... but different tree families will look different as old trees. Maybe this is what you meant by "studying" these trees? For example an old elm:

View attachment 166346

An old pine:

View attachment 166347

An old juniper...

View attachment 166348

Yes perhaps I worded it a little funny! But that's what I'm looking for! I live in an area where there is little to no old growth forests. Nothing really over 60 years old.... So I've never even seen an ancient elm!

Hopefully we can get a wide variety of very old tree species now

 

[BobbyLane]

The trees posted especially the Oak and Elm dont look like they're nearing the end, they look to be thriving, even the pine and juniper look to be in great health.

These Oaks are nearing the end
IMG_8322 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr
IMG_8406 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr
IMG_8469 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr
IMG_9546 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr
IMG_9820 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr
IMG_9826 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr

This tree has fallen but lives
IMG_9850 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr

This Oak doesnt have long left, most of its trunk has died off
IMG_4308 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr
IMG_4322 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr
IMG_4341 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr

Beech hollow trunk
IMG_4420 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr

This oak is split in half
IMG_4466 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr
IMG_4491 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr

 

[gallina1594]

The trees posted especially the Oak and Elm dont look like they're nearing the end, they look to be thriving, even the pine and juniper look to be in great health.

These Oaks are nearing the end
IMG_8322 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr
IMG_8406 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr
IMG_8469 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr
IMG_9546 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr
IMG_9820 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr
IMG_9826 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr

This tree has fallen but lives
IMG_9850 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr

This Oak doesnt have long left, most of its trunk has died off
IMG_4308 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr
IMG_4322 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr
IMG_4341 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr

Beech hollow trunk
IMG_4420 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr

This oak is split in half
IMG_4466 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr
IMG_4491 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr

Yeah this is what I was looking for! Each one is so unique and probably has an amazing story as to how they they look the way they do now

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Yes perhaps I worded it a little funny! But that's what I'm looking for! I live in an area where there is little to no old growth forests. Nothing really over 60 years old.... So I've never even seen an ancient elm!

Hopefully we can get a wide variety of very old tree species now

You really don't get out much, do you. You need to Google old growth, and state champion trees, Indiana has a few patches of old growth forest. Get over to Indiana Dunes National Seashore. In the inter-dune zones, the are a few patches of old growth. Brown County has a few patches of old growth. Warren Dunes in SW Michigan has a patch of old growth. Near Lafayette along the Wabash River there is a remnant. Shades State Park, near Turkey Run State Park also has an old growth remnant.

You got to get out of the car and walk, old growth only exists where terrain made logging difficult.

So look, read, explore. I bet there are at least 3 remnants of old growth forest within 150 miles of your current location. Googl, and Google maps. Then read state park websites. Also check nature conservancy websites. A little research and you will find your local old growth.

 

[gallina1594]

You really don't get out much, do you. You need to Google old growth, and state champion trees, Indiana has a few patches of old growth forest. Get over to Indiana Dunes National Seashore. In the inter-dune zones, the are a few patches of old growth. Brown County has a few patches of old growth. Warren Dunes in SW Michigan has a patch of old growth. Near Lafayette along the Wabash River there is a remnant. Shades State Park, near Turkey Run State Park also has an old growth remnant.

You got to get out of the car and walk, old growth only exists where terrain made logging difficult.

So look, read, explore. I bet there are at least 3 remnants of old growth forest within 150 miles of your current location. Googl, and Google maps. Then read state park websites. Also check nature conservancy websites. A little research and you will find your local old growth.

I do get out.. quite a bit actually. I've been to Warren Dunes, shades, and turkey run. The Indiana Dunes are my backyard, I'm there every month. I've seen big trees at all locations, but nothing that has truly blown me away...

 

[rockm]

I post these a lot, but here they are again. Old "dwarf" boxwood at George Mason's plantation --Gunston Hall--on the Potomac. Original boxwood landscape plants, but leave something like that alone for 250 years or so and this is what happens.

 

[gallina1594]

I post these a lot, but here they are again. Old "dwarf" boxwood at George Mason's plantation --Gunston Hall--on the Potomac. Original boxwood landscape plants, but leave something like that alone for 250 years or so and this is what happens.

Well I haven't seen these before so I'm glad you shared them! Amazing specimen

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

I do get out.. quite a bit actually. I've been to Warren Dunes, shades, and turkey run. The Indiana Dunes are my backyard, I'm there every month. I've seen big trees at all locations, but nothing that has truly blown me away...

Ah, guess I should not tease you. Sometimes old growth does not look like the book or magazine portraits. The patches of old growth ate small, usually less than 20 acres, and are hidden by 2nd growth. Ask rangers at each park where the remnants are. Don't say you belong to a group, like bonsai society or orchid society, as these clubs have a high percentage of poachers. Just be curious and they will help.

There is a classic remnant beech forest in Hubbard's Woods, near Dayton Ohio, this is easy, a hike trail right to the Grove, only a few acres but impressive.

 

[gallina1594]

Ah, guess I should not tease you. Sometimes old growth does not look like the book or magazine portraits. The patches of old growth ate small, usually less than 20 acres, and are hidden by 2nd growth. Ask rangers at each park where the remnants are. Don't say you belong to a group, like bonsai society or orchid society, as these clubs have a high percentage of poachers. Just be curious and they will help.

There is a classic remnant beech forest in Hubbard's Woods, near Dayton Ohio, this is easy, a hike trail right to the Grove, only a few acres but impressive.

I guess that's where I fail.. I'm more of a "I'll do it myself and figure it out myself!"kind of guy... So I more than likely just walk past them:/

Next time I'll make a point to ask the rangers where to look!

 

[Arcto]

A old Lodgepole on the river here. Dwarf Mistletoe caused this unusual branch formation. Reminds me of Saguaro Cactus of all things. But this year Pine Beetle hit it hard. I don't expect it to survive another year.

Old Whitebark Pine at high elevation here. Only the bottom right branches are still alive. Kind of deceiving as those branches could outlive us. But overall the entire grove here is dying out.

 

[SantaFeBonsai]

Somewhere in the Rockies

 

[Vance Wood]

Somewhere in the Rockies

View attachment 166430 View attachment 166431

This trees look like Limber, could be Pinion needles are too short for Lodge Pole or Ponderosa. Coulld be as an outside guess Bristle Cone. I agree with the concept of good material making for good bonsai. I also believe that if you don't know dog doodie from chocolate cake you shouldn't be harvesting 200 year old trees.