GC7B6X7 The Rarest of Trees (Virtual Reward) (Virtual Cache) in Virginia, United States created by Singletree Expedition

GC7B6X7 ▼

A cache by Singletree Expedition Message this owner

Hidden : 8/1/2018

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: virtual (virtual)

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Geocache Description:

This rare tree, once thought to be extinct, was the first tree given protection under the Endangered Species Act. The only known natural population was found in a narrow strip of land in Smyth County, Virginia along the banks of Cressy Creek at an elevation of about 3800ft.

Coordinates will lead you to a live Virginia Round-Leaf Birch tree at the Pat Jennings Visitor Center which serves as the headquarters and gateway to the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. The center is a great place to learn more about the area and pick up maps, nature guides, and memorabilia. While here, you may want to explore the Two Ponds Nature Trail. Access is still available even if Visitor Center is closed.

Virginia Round-Leaf Birch (Betula Uber)

Logging Requirements

To claim this virtual, simply:
• Post a photo of yourself (or GPS device) with the tree.
--- Face not required in photo ---
--- Photo is required within 3 days of logging the cache ---

Discovery

First described in 1918 by botanist W.W. Ashe, it was not seen again until 1975 by a young Biology teacher, Douglas Ogle. The long lapse in sightings may be explained by speculation that Ashe incorrectly cited Dickey Creek rather than Cressy Creek. Assumed extinct, this rediscovery was widely celebrated and sparked an aggressive recovery effort.

Recovery

The tree was classified as endangered in 1978. It was the first tree to be considered an endangered species.

The natural population declined from 41 trees in 1975 to a mere 8 trees in 2003. Thanks to recovery efforts, the tree was reclassified to “Threatened” in 1994 and the population reached 1,400 trees by 1999.

Early recovery efforts were initially met with resistance as “a series of mistakes and misunderstandings caused tremendous ill will and hard feelings between the scientists and landowners interested in the species.” Over-collection for cultivation and research also contributed to decline until captive germination provided seedlings for re-population. While populations are being managed, lack of natural reproduction remains a threat to the Virginia Round-Leaf Birch.

Timeline

1914 – Plant first collected
1918 – First described by botanist W.W. Ashe
1945 – Gained species status as Betula Uber
1975 – Biology teacher, Douglas Ogle, rediscovered the tree in the wild (not seen since 1914)
1978 – Listed as “Endangered”
1981 – Propagation efforts begin
1994 – Reclassified as “Threatened”
1999 – Population peaks at 1,400
2003 – Population at 961. Natural population at only 8 remaining.
Today – Geocachers have chance to visit a live tree and log a Virtual Cache.

More Info / Sources:

Virtual Reward - 2017/2018

This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between August 24, 2017 and August 24, 2018. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards on the Geocaching Blog.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Vg'f gur gerr arnerfg gur ohvyqvat.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)