Doerner Fir

It is possible that the tallest tree of the world up to the end of the 19th century was coast Douglas fir – in 1897 there was cut reportedly 142 m tall fir in Loup’s Ranch, Washington state (4). Nowadays the tallest known coast Douglas fir is Doerner Fir in Oregon, 99.8 m tall. The age of this tree is approximately 450 – 500 years.

This giant tree was discovered in 1989 by Hank Wiliams and first measured two years later. It has been measured several times with slightly different results from 99.4 to 100.3 m.

One of recent measurements was done in 2008 by three climbers (Brian French, Will Koomjian, Sean O’Connor) from Ascending the Giants of Portland – they climbed the tree up to the top and measured it with tape – it was 99.7 m tall. In 2011 there was made one more measurement – the result was 99.75 m (3). The tree stands on a slope and there has been calculated the average level at its base.

The upper 15 m of this giant tree are almost dead. Due to this Doerner Fir step by step decreases in height, but it is expected that the circumference and volume of timber will gradually increase.

In the tree have been spotted clouded salamanders (Aneides ferreus) – rare amphibians which seem to be living in trees.

Initially the tree was named Brummit Fir – after the stream near it. Later though it got the name of Ray Doerner, Douglas County Commissioner.

Bureau of Land Management has arranged a special Doerner Fir Trail, leading through a primeval forest (called also cathedral forests) of Oregon’s Coast Ranges.

There is a probability that in remote valleys of Oregon might be found a taller coast Douglas fir.

Doerner Fir is included in the following list:

References

1. Terry Richard, Doerner Fir rises 327 feet into the Coos County heavens, March 27 2010, accessed on December 18, 2010
2. Brummit Fir, Ascending Giants, accessed on December 18 2010. Images of the climb in 2008!
3. Doerner Fir | Tallest Douglas Fir, Coast Redwood Adventures, accessed on December 23 2016.
4. rephaim23, Tallest Douglas Fir in America. Posted on November 12, 2012. Accessed on December 26 2016.

Doerner Fir on the map

Location, GPS coordinates:	43.1799 N 123.8019 W
Categories:	Trees
Values:	Biology
Rating:	(3.5 / 5)
Where is located?	North America, United States, Oregon, Coos County, valley of Brummit Creek, 5 km northeast from Sitkum
Alternate name:	Brummet Fir, Brummitt Fir
Species:	coast Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii (Mirb.) Franco)
Height:	99.75 m
Diameter:	3.54 m
Volume:	237 m3

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Trees

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Recommended books

Redwoods: The World’s Largest Trees

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Coast Redwood: A Natural and Cultural History

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