Impact

OLD-GROWTH GLORY IN BLUEGRASS: VENERABLE TREES

VENERABLE TREES -- TOM KIMMERER

Awe. Admiration. Respect. Ancient trees inspire these. Taller and broader, they command a grander presence, both visually and impactfully. Their beauty comes through, not only their trunks, branches, leaves, and fruits, but also through their histories. These are “venerable trees.”

Tom Kimmerer, PhD, is a scientist, author, and photographer who has devoted his life’s work to his passion for the ancient trees growing in his home state of Kentucky. He is Chief Scientist at Venerable Trees, a conservation nonprofit whose mission it is to ensure a future for the woodland pastures of Kentucky and Tennessee.

Kimmerer’s work as a conservation photographer showcases the magnificent old-growth trees and forests of Kentucky. They are unique, as they rise up in the middle of open woodland, as if they were vertical islands, so you can have unobstructed views of their full glory.

Central Kentucky’s Inner Bluegrass region is one of only two places in America — the other is around Nashville, Tenn. — where centuries-old bur and chinkapin oaks, blue ash and kingnut hickory trees grew naturally in open pastures.

When the first settlers arrived in the Bluegrass region of Kentucky, they found an unusual landscape --- open woodland, lush with giant cane and native grasses that had been grazed by vast herds of bison. Pioneer farmers replaced the bison with domesticated cattle, sheep, and horses. Thankfully, they left many of the trees in place to shade their pastures.

Babe and Annette are two magnificent bur oaks have been growing happily at Oakland Farm since first Virginia settlers arrived in Bourbon County in the 1780s.

Oakland Farm owner Doug Witt and his niece, Laura Greenfield partnered with other Central Kentucky farms and landmark properties to propagate and sell the offspring of native trees with special botanical or historical significance.

Today, central Kentucky and central Tennessee still boast one of the largest populations of pre-settlement trees in the nation. Kimmerer has taken many photos of these beauties. His book, Venerable Trees - History, Biology and Conservation, contains over 100 images.

Kimmerer explains the biology of Bluegrass trees, now ranging from 300-500 years old and explores the reasons why they are now in danger. He also tells stories about innovative, conscientious developers who build around them rather than clearing the land to farmers who use lightning rods to protect them from natural disasters. The book offers guidelines for conserving ancient trees worldwide while educating readers about their life cycle.

We became especially fascinated with Kimmerer’s Night Trees Series, as featured here in this article. “Trees take on even greater mystery at night, illuminated by the moon or streetlights,” he explains.

Kimmerer is working on a second book on the lives of trees in the Anthropocene. Kimmerer also writes for American Forests, Planet Experts, and other publications. See a list of his recent stories.

Kimmerer has a B.S. in Forest Biology (Botany) from SUNY ESF and a PhD in both forestry and botany, with a specialization in tree physiology and biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin - Madison.

He has done research and taught tree physiology, forest biology and urban forestry in the United States, Indonesia and Malaysia, and was a faculty member at the University of Kentucky.

Kimmerer was a Senior Fulbright Scholar in Malaysia. He has been an advisor and consultant on environmental and forestry issues for the governments of Malaysia and Indonesia, the American-Malaysian Chamber of Commerce, the Electric Power Research Institute, LG&E-Kentucky Utilities, and other organizations. See his publication list at Research Gate or Google Scholar.

Read more about Magnificent Trees in These Magnificent Trees Deserve & Need A Visit and Trees Can Make You More Beautiful Now.

And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Mind/Body, Soul/Impact, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Arts/Design, and Place/Time, Daily Fix posts.

IMAGE CREDITS:

Image: by Tom Kimmerer. “Night Trees” series.
Image: by Tom Kimmerer. “Night Trees” series.
Image: Babe, a giant, centuries-old bur oak on Oakland Farm. Courtesy of Oakland Farm.
Image: by Tom Kimmerer. “Night Trees” series.
Image: by Tom Kimmerer. “The Coldstream Complex.” Ancient Trees at the Urban Boundary.
Image: by Tom Kimmerer. “Night Trees” series.
Image: by Tom Kimmerer. “Night Trees” series.
Image: by Tom Kimmerer. “Night Trees” series.
Image: by Tom Kimmerer. “Night Trees” series.
Image: by Tom Kimmerer. “Night Trees” series.
Image: by Tom Kimmerer. “Night Trees” series.
Image: by Tom Kimmerer. “Autumn” series.
Image: by Tom Kimmerer. “Autumn” series.