When Liz was here we took a drive to Bailey Arboretum, in Locust Valley which is nearby. We wandered around the grounds and visited the collection of rescued owls and raptors at the Volunteers for Wildlife center. After we had been there for a while, I happened to discover this tree which is just magnificent. Turns out that it is a "Dawn redwood." The story of this tree is amazing! This species was thought to be extinct for 200 million years, until a small stand was discovered in China during World War II. In 1948 Harvard University sent an expedition to bring back seedlings and gave several to Mr. Bailey, who had a reputation for being able to grow anything. This tree is one of the more than 20 magnificent Dawn Redwoods that can be found at Bailey Arboretum. At 90 feet, it is one of the tallest of it's kind. I photographed this trunk for about 20 minutes and didn't feel that I had quite gotten the shot. Then the sun went behind a cloud, and the diffuse light was perfect! This is far more striking in black & white than it was in color.
4 comments:
a magnificent tree and photo. the yosemite california redwood we once drove through when first married 32 yrs ago today, i've heard, is no longer. finally succumbed to its final decline. such magnificent trees gentle strong giants
oops i can't count anymore, its 33 years ago today
Amazing photo and story.
Joan
What a "crazy" looking tree trunk! Incredible that this magnificent tree was started from seeds brought back from China. Great story. I remember being amazed by some redwood trees in California 30 years ago...betsey
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