TREES
Our house was built between 1861-1865. On the north side of the house, two Norway Spruces were probably planted at or near that same time. Both trees remain healthy even with a patio covering the ground around them. The patio was made about 35 years ago. One of the trees has a diameter of 25 inches at a height of four feet above the ground.
Nick Sheeter, the owner of our house in the thirties, stated that when he live here, there were no public utilities. The water source was a hand-dug well lined with brick, thirty feet deep. In dry spells there is still l5 to l8 feet of water in the well. We pump this water for our flower and vegetable gardens. He remembered planting the Saucer Magnolia in the front yard in l933. It now measures 30 inches in diameter, six inches above the ground.
For several years I have been interested in locating the largest trees of the species for both Tiffin and Seneca County. For this information I need your help. You can call at 447-2896 or write me at 110 Mohawk Street and nominate your tree. Please give the location of the tree, your name, address, and phone number .
The circumference of the tree is measured at four feet above the ground, and that number divided by 3.14 and reported as its diameter, breast height, (DBH). I use a string marked off in feet with a small anchoring nail tied to one end and approximate the extra inches.
There is a Sycamore Tree north of Tiffin at the High Banks, just south of the Ernest Wise property. This tree measures seven feet, seven inches, DBH.
On the Heidelberg campus there are several trees that may be candidates for the largest tree of their type: Cottonwood at 53 inches, probably the largest in Tiffin. Honey Locust at 30 inches, is why paratroopers are paid hazard pay. Black Walnut at 36 inches, worth several hundred dollars. Ohio Buckeye at 24.5 inches, now flowering, five leaflets per leaf. White Pine at 32 inches which has been struck by lightning and is held together with metal pins. Austrian Pine at 30 inches, a Hemlock at 23 inches. A White Ash at 54 inches, which split in two branches five feet up, probably the largest in Tiffin or Seneca County.
At Hedges Boyer Park, we have a Redbud at l5 inches, probably not the largest in the county, Tulip Tree at 6l inches. Is it the largest in the area? And a Hackberry at 24.5 inches .
In the St. Francis Woods, there is a Red Elm at 24.5 inches, not as sensitive to disease as the American Elm. A Black Cherry at 24.5 inches, worth hundreds of dollars. An Ironwood at l4 inches, used as masts for sailing vessels, Butternut Hickory, at 20 inches, one of several hickory species we have. Red Oak at 40 inches, the most valuable oak species. White Oak at 24.5 inches. There should be larger ones around. Shagbark Hickory at 23 inches, probably the largest in Tiffin. Black Locust, at l9 inches, there should be larger ones. Sugar Maple at 40 inches, probably the largest in Tiffin. Red Maple at 24.5 inches, also probably the largest one in Tiffin. Sassafras at 22 inches. Our mother made tea from its bark as a spring tonic.
At 94 Indian Lane, there is a Pin Oak that has a DBH of 4l inches. Is it the largest in Tiffin?
Howard Hintz has been locating and checking old, large and interesting trees for many years. He should be able to contribute many prime examples.
An after thought, last year in the Open Market we wrote about the scarcity of wild bees. After that article, we received word of three locations in Seneca County. Are they still thriving? We hear that the mite problem may be subsiding and maybe the important wild bees will make a comeback. Please let us know if you know of any wild bees and their location and we will keep a record for the ag department and others that are interested such as the growers of fruit trees, melons, cucumbers, and other vegetables.
– Percy