Who is planning to come?? Any of you?? I am thinking about putting together an extra curricular trip out to the Olympic Rain Forest, either before or after the conference. If any of you who are coming, are interested in seeing trees like; Western Red Cedar 20ft in dia, or Douglas Fir 200+ft tall, Pacific Madrona 7ft dia. or Sitka Spruce 19+ ft dia. and 200ft+ tall; please let me know, I know where they hide. If interest is high enough, it will happen.

James.

Reply to post by James Causton, on February 17, 2002 at 20:42:46:

Great Idea! After the 96 ASCA conference I took 3 days circling the peninsula; saw some of those trees and a whole lot more.

Highly recommend a walk through the Bloedel Reserve as well; the finest garden on earth, imo.

Doubt I can get off to go this time but wanted to vouch for the concept. Six years later the impressions are still vivid in my mind.

All in all I took away as much from that tour as I did from the conference (which was a lot).

Reply to post by Guy Meilleur, on February 17, 2002 at 20:42:46:

I don't know where you are located Guy, but I wouldn't mind betting you have never seen conifers as big and impressive as some of ours out here. Pity we didn't run into each other at the '96 ASCA conf!!!!! Glad you found Bloedel on Bainbridge, that is a very impressive garden, though the last time I was in there, I saw more tree problems than solutions. However, I believe management is now in the hands of either WSU or UW. Hopefully problems are being dealt with. Hope you are able to overcome your incredibly strong willpower and make it over, I would surely enjoy meeting you and visiting some very old friends of mine as well,

James

Reply to post by James Causton, on February 19, 2002 at 10:16:40:

July sounds like the perfect time to be in the NW USA. Yes your trees are much bigger than here in NC. Would also like to see what the PlantAmnesty folks are up to there. Are you familiar with their work?

Glad the Bloedel is in better hands; in 96 I was so agog at the use of trees in garden design I paid little mind to individual tree health.

Working now on getting affordable attendance arranged. If that hurdle is leaped, little things like getting someone to adopt the kids for a week will fall into place.

Does anyone know if there was a presentation at the ISA conference last year on lightning damage in trees?

Reply to post by James Causton, on February 17, 2002 at 20:42:46:

I hope to be there, but I probably won't make it unless I win my fare at the local TCC. I've come close a few times, but throwline always gets me in the finals. If I make it this time, I'll be glad to join you on this outing.

Keith

Reply to post by James Causton, on February 17, 2002 at 20:42:46:

I will probibly be there. Bryan Kotwica (of the "TC Companion" and Sherrill art fame) and I are talking about driving out and getting some easy rocks climbed on the way. Hopefully picking up a day or three of work here and there on the way.

There are a number of peopletalking about setting up some big tree rec climbing outings before and after the conferance.

Reply to post by JPS, on February 17, 2002 at 20:42:46:

re tree rec outings, there are some awesome vistas to behold from the top of some of those trees on the Olympic peninsula.