Lost Monarch
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Lost Monarch is the name of a redwood tree in Northern California that has been confirmed by measuring to be at least 26 feet (7.9 m) in diameter at DBH (diameter breast height, measured 4.5 feet/1.4 metres above soil grade), and 320 feet (98 m) in height. Measured by Stephen Sillett, it ranks as the world's largest coast redwood, although the Del Norte Titan is listed by some sources as the largest.[1] But according to total wood volume, Lost Monarch is the largest coastal redwood. The second largest by wood volume is a coastal redwood in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park called Iluvatar. Lost Monarch was discovered on May 11, 1998, by Stephen Sillett, and amateur naturalist Michael Taylor, and is located among other giant redwoods that Sillett and Taylor have called "The Grove of Titans". The Lost Monarch (and grove) was found in an area of Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. The exact location of the tree has not been revealed to the public for concern that the introduction of human foot traffic may upset that ecosystem. The tree is estimated to contain 42,500 cubic feet (1,200 m³) of wood. After interviews with Sillett and Taylor, a detailed account of the discovery was published by Dr. Richard Preston.[2]
Whether in print or on the internet, comments and documents for the Lost Monarch are exceptionally few, and limited, because very few people know where this tree is, and most of them are not willing to disclose much information. The information is being withheld in an attempt to reduce environmental impact.
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[edit] Location
The Lost Monarch is in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park of Northern California. Lost Monarch's location is vaguely described:
South of Hy. 199 in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park: by a grassy glade near the bottom of a "notch valley"; in an area where a trail was not constructed through the grove; within a few mile hiking distance of Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park campground.
The Lost Monarch coastal redwood is surrounded by other large coastal redwoods, including others known as the largest of the species. Of the surrounding redwood trees, the Titan size trees have names from discovers, like El Viejo del Norte, Screaming Titans, Eärendil and Elwing, Stalagmight, and others.
[edit] Epiphytes
Lost Monarch supports and provides a habitat for epiphytes including Polypodium scouleri. One report from 2003 estimated that Lost Monarch held 1,000 pounds (± 70 lb) or 454 kilograms (± 32 kg) of P. scouleri fern mat material.[citation needed]
[edit] References
- ^ Gymnosperm Database
- ^ Preston, Richard (2007). The Wild Trees: A Story Of Passion And Daring. Allen Lane Publishers.
