Brian Davis

My favorite tree: Callitropsis nootkatensis
"Alaskan Yellow Cedar" at various stages of growth in Olympic National Park.

Young saplings have flaky bark and often grow in sweeps and curves. The feathery foliage hangs down from the boughs. The trunks of mature trees are an elegant light grey.

The best part is the smell. Something like a cross of Juniper and Western Red Cedar. Spicy, pungent, and crisp.

The tree I posed with was labeled "World Record Alaskan Yellow Cedar" at 12ft diameter (3.7m) and 120ft (366m) tall.

#thicktrunktuesday #pnw #backpacking

Mar 24 at 6:55pmWeb
Show threadMelissa O1d ago
@intrepidhero your description of the scent carried me away.
Show threadGreg Johnston1d ago
@intrepidhero Where is that record yellow cedar? I've missed it, but have seen other big ones.
Show threadBrian Davis1d ago
@GPJohnston About 6 miles past Irely lake. There's a lot of big trees up that way.
Show threadGreg Johnston1d ago
@intrepidhero Hmmm, did the Skyline Divide Trail and we camped at Three Lakes our last night. But don't recall the record yellow cedar. Probably has slipped my mind.
Show threadBrian Davis1d ago
@GPJohnston Coulda been before the sign went up? I went in 2022. It's not as obviously impressive as the record red cedar or sitka spruce. The yellows just don't get as big.
Show threadGreg Johnston1d ago
@intrepidhero I probably have just forgotten, hiked there around 2000-02.