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Feynner Arias, the land steward at the University of California's Big Creek
Reserve, is holding a polished section of trunk from a very large Hoover's
Manzanita (Arctostaphylos hooveri). Feynner discovered the long dead
specimen along an access road on the reserve at the edge of a large patch of
this type of manzanita. It had apparently been bulldozed over during the
construction of a fire line during the Rat Fire of July 1985.
The intact dead branches, trunk and first 18 inches of roots measured 32' tall by 22' wide. The section of trunk Feynner is holding measures 26" diameter by 75" circumference. While the wood is redwood-like in color , it is extremely hard and dense like most manzanitas, even though it has been exposed to the the weather for over 14 years. This specimen will be on display at the Big Creek Reserve open house usually held the first Saturday in April. Please check for this event next year. |
