The Council Madrone
gary.maguireThe Council Madrone
“The Council Madrone was located upslope from the Mattole River in Humboldt County, California. In this photo are Dr. Frank A. Lang and Frank Callahan (w/o the sunglasses) along with Frank L.’s dog. This tree’s last measurements before its demise during a wet snow event are given as follows: 13′ DBH Height 100′ and 115′ crown spread. In short the Council Madrone has about twice the wood volume as Washington’s Port Angeles tree.
The largest Pacific madrone that I have ever encountered was a tree that was 14′ DBH growing on Cleveland Ridge, Jackson County, Oregon and was in decline and cut for firewood – the tree (from memory) branched ca. 25′ above the ground into multiple very large trunks. The woodcutters remarked “the tree yielded over 14 cords of wood”. I think the tree was ca. 125′ tall – at the time of its demise. Of interest, this madrone did not have basal sprouts, and the center was hollow exhibiting ca. 4′ x 5′ cavity. We were unable to determine the age of the tree but suspect it was in the 800 year range – as you may know madrone rings are very difficult to count.”
Photo and information about the tree courtesy of Frank Callahan.
Contact: Gary Chastagner, 253-445-4528 | WSU Puyallup Research & Extension Center,2606 West Pioneer, Puyallup, WA, 98371-4998 USA