Comparing the old photograph of a sequoia tree to my recent photos of the Genesis Tree.


Genesis Tree  Balch Park

Comparing the old photo with new images of the Genesis Tree (taken 6/1/17), was made more difficult because of bushes growing next to the tree on the side in question, i.e. The southern side of the tree.
Because of this, I've included the Wendell Paypa photo of the Genesis Tree, taken in 2009;  this is the only photograph I've found that doesn't have bushes blocking an approximate view of the south side of the tree.



Wendell Paypa's 2009 photo (without  the brush that blocked my view).

 A comparison view with one of my 6/1/17 photos.    I could not get back far enough from the tree to reach a height more closely approximating that in the old photograph (due to bushes and small trees).     I took the new photo a little too far to the right, causing a view of the tree that is sightly rotated toward the right.
Close up comparison:


Comparing this prominent structure  in the tree's burn scar, between old and new images.      The new photo was taken at more of an upward angle.     The new image suggests that this is an old burn scar, e.g. Much of the blackened area has worn off.


    Measuring the Genesis's base at ground level...     I got approx 28 feet, at the same incline angle as shown for the base of the tree in the old photo.    The Genesis Tree appears to have the same type of incline.
(Added 6/10/17) I just noticed the "Map of the Ground Perimeter of Genesis Tree" on page 7 of  this Mountain Home newsletter (PDF file).    You can extrapolate the 15 foot measurement given  there, to the south side of the tree-base; depicted at the bottom of the "Map".   It seems to shows that this face/view of the Genesis Tree is a little over 30 feet (As opposed to my approx 28 ft).     I made my own measurements the best I could, e.g. by myself with a 25' tape measure.


This photo was taken standing closer to the east side of the tree,  to help demonstrate the incline at the base of  the Genesis Tree (note the tape measure at 5'9'' length).
(Added 6/12/17) Someone asked for a modern photograph, with people standing by the Genesis Tree...   Here's a link to a 2013 photo of two women standing at the south side of the tree, taken at an angle  somewhat similar to the image just above.


Compare this to the image just below to get a sense of the incline,  the tape measure is set at 5'9'' for both photos




Wendell Paypa's  photograph.
I've marked two structures here, that I refer to as the Toes and the Burl, to compare to the images below

One of my new photos, taken at the west side of the Genesis, looking in a eastern direction.


The tape measure, in the image just below, is set approximately where the lady marked by the "A" is standing  (But at an angle that is perpendicular, to the old photo's angle)

A  view looking westward, that is somewhat perpendicular to the old image's angle;  this is approximately where lady "A" was standing.    The tape measure's tip is at 5'9'' (The tape is pulled out to 5'6'' plus the case's length of 3"). Once again, I couldn't get the same angle as the old photo due to the dogwood growing next to the tree..


5 comments:

  1. These are great. Next time you go up, can you take one or two other people to stand at the base of the tree? For scale? That would be nice, if possible.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The way I drive these mountain roads, nobody wants to be a passenger in my car. ;)

      Delete
    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    3. To be honest, I don't see much need to bring other people up to Balch Park to pose in front of the tree for me. I wouldn't be able to get great shots of them because of the dogwood growing next to the tree.
      For scale, I set the tape measure at 5'9'' and took several photos of it at different points of the tree's base.
      I think the comparison I make here of the prominent structure in the tree's burn-scar is very convincing evidence that it's the Genesis Tree in the old photo.

      Delete
  2. I was just viewing some online photos of the Genesis Tree, taken June 2021... Prior to this, I had been unaware that the tree had suffered heavy damage from the 2020 Castle Fire.
    Apparently many of the prominent features discussed above no longer exist. i.e. Many of these features were burned-off in the 2020 fire.

    ReplyDelete