Oregon’s first heritage tree still massive

The Oregonian ran a small travel blog post yesterday about Oregon’s famous Klootchy Creek Spruce.

The main point: despite losing its upper half, the giant is still 96 feet tall and boasts the same 17-foot diameter.

The big spruce that lost its upper half in the notorious December 2007 wind storm is still a mighty big tree.

An excerpt:

The Klootchy Creek spruce, named for where it lived in Clatsop County, was the largest tree in Oregon and one of the oldest living things in the state.

It also was listed as a co-champion as the largest Sitka spruce in the United States, as recognized by American Forests, keeper of the National Tree Registry.

The Klootchy Creek spruce was the first Oregon Heritage Tree, a program started in 1995 that recognizes trees for their contribution to Oregon history and heritage.

Beneath a recent photo from The Oregonian are two photos of the same tree circa 1980, submitted by Stephen Peacock.

Pictured within the canopy about 30 years ago, Peacock is now a Portland urban forestry commissioner and local arborist.

–Toshio Suzuki