December in Fernbank Forest

A few days ago I had the opportunity to spend about 7 hours in the largest urban piedmont old growth forest in the world. It was amazing. I measured numerous trees with my new laser rangefinder and found the canopy to be 20-30 feet higher than previously thought in many areas. Tuliptrees topped out near 155' and there may very well be a few to 160'. Even the White Oaks were up near 140'. Really spectacular. I also traced the perennial Fernbank Creek upstream (nearly) to it's source. Many of the fern species Emily Harrison saw over 100 years ago (and consequently caused her to come up with the name "Fernbank") still line the stream in this area.


Even the front yard trees in Druid Hills are TALL- this was part of the original Fernbank Forest over 100 years ago and likely a relic from that time


lunch spot


150'+ Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)- I strongly believe there are some 160 footers in this forest too


'shrooms- it's like a rainforest with all the rain this year (75"+ in spots)



Loblolly Pine Bark


weird Beech tree trunk stuff


Fernbank Creek (perennial)


further upstream (close to the supposed spring)


Broad Beech fern

Exploring in Fernbank Forest

Last Friday was a perfect fall day. 70 degrees. Sunny. Dry. Excellent weather for a necessary afternoon excursion in Fernbank Forest.

This is a White Oak that fell from the forest, crushed the fence, then landed across Clifton road during the record rainfall this past September


I got roughly 170 rings out of only a 2 feet diameter trunk cut! Some of these were TIGHT! Must have been drought years...


Fernbank Forest, like everywhere else, is not immune to exotic plant invasions. This is a shot of a tract of large bamboo along the southeastern fenceline


And a Chinese Wisteria monoculture


Oh and of course English Ivy- this stuff really weighs down the trees and can cause them to fall. This one temporarily blocked a bridge in the forest:



BW canopy shot


I finally found a nice Starvine (Schisandra glabra) in the forest




It's just such a graceful vine with its graceful twisting flight up the tree.

Reconnecting the pipes: surgery and recovery

How do I feel about another week in the hospital? My face says it all:


Post surgery:


Beep beepin' down the hall!


Emily is texting the family (or is she updating FB?)


So to stay sane while Liza is recovering in the hospital (6 days instead of the planned 4 days..) I managed to walk around the Brookwood area. Here's some shots:

Chinkapin Oak?


Chinkapin oak shaped into a bush right in front of one as a normal tree:


R. Thomas


Nicest fall color on a Tulip Poplar I've ever seen... maybe








GA "alpenglow"


...from our room






No more ileostomy bag! Now just a pursestring hole that will heal itself

Halloween (pre-surgery) PARTY.

Halloween/Pre-surgery party:

the crowd


Finn-ja turtle


Dorothy and Jigsaw


Slash and Axel


Jigsaw and Pigface are lovers?!