EVENT
Big Trees and Old Growth: Their Stories Told in Experiences, Pictures, and Numbers
The Nicholas J. Juried Meeting House at Landis Arboretum | June 14 at 2 pm
Date: Jun 14, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: The Nicholas J. Juried Meeting House
Registration: Free. Donations to the Arboretum are greatly appreciated. No registration required.
Join Bob and Monica Leverett as they take you on a journey of the big trees and old forests of the Northeast. The trip will be described through their personal experiences, photographs, and numbers. Questions answered will be: (1)
- How large and old are our northeastern trees
- How much carbon do they hold, and
- What challenges do they face?
Bob will briefly explain how trees of large dimensions are measured.
Presenters
Bob Leverett is co-discoverer of most of the known old growth in Massachusetts. Co-author of several books, including the Sierra Club Guide to Ancient Forests of the Northeast, he has been the central figure in the Ancient Eastern Forests Conference Series. Bob is co-founder of the Native Tree Society, and co-founder and President of Friends of Mohawk Trail State Forest. Educated as an engineer, he is a recognized expert in the discipline of measuring trees for both science and sport. He is on the Advisory Board for the National Champion Tree Program at University of Tennessee. Currently, he is working with climate scientists to help measure carbon sequestration in individual trees, and is analyzing and devising carbon analysis tools.
Monica Jakuc (pronounced Ya’kutch) Leverett is a retired professor of music at Smith College, where she taught from 1969-2008. She is a classical music concert pianist. In addition, as Bob’s partner and wife, she has spent the last 18 years exploring forests with him, helping organize his work and events, and editing his writings. She is Clerk/Treasurer of Friends of Mohawk Trail State Forest.Together, the Leveretts have established the Monica and Bob Leverett Forever-Wild Fund at Kestrel Land Trust in Amherst, MA.