Gus the Worlds Biggest Western Larch Tree
Every walk in the woods is an adventure. With every step deeper into the outdoors, a new world opens to each explorer. While seeing trees, rocks, and creeks is common, they never show up in the same way. Each branch, or fallen leaf, tells a different story of a different world that is rarely repeated. For the trees, each explorer walking by must feel the same. When I am out on a hike it always makes me wonder, who has walked through this exact space, and seen this exact thing as I am. How many people walked by a single tree, not knowing that it was the biggest of its kind. That is where Gus comes in. Gus is the worlds biggest Western Larch tree on record. He sits silently, surrounded by his similar siblings. Patiently waiting for the new adventurers to pass.
Unassuming Ancient
If it wasn’t for the plaque and walkway it would be hard to tell that Gus was the biggest Western Larch tree in the world. Gus is big and tall. The top looks a little damaged and is possibly showing its age. However, he doesn’t look much different than the surrounding trees. According to the info graphic next to the tree, Gus stands around 153 feet tall. Taller than the Statue of Liberty. He has also survived an estimated 40 wildfires due to its thick insulating bark. Gus is estimated to be around 1000 years old. In those thousand years, it is remarkable to think of how many birds have landed on a branch or took a needle to form a nest. How many insects have burrowed inside and found shelter and food around Gus. Just how many people have walked past this giant?
When I walked by this gentle pillar in the fall I was awestruck. Gus stood tall. While some of the needles had changed color and started to drop, the tree was still imposing. Yet, there was something peaceful about the towering larch. To think of everything that it has lived through. Nations have risen and fallen in its lifetime. Droughts, fires, and blizzards have tried to take it down, but Gus just keeps standing.
Standing Tall
The longer I stood and looked at the worlds biggest Western Larch tree the more perspective I gained. Gus is over 22 feet around with a diameter of 7 feet and 3 inches. A strong base to hold up the 153 feet of height. Strong enough to stand up to the winds and rain and anything else mother nature can throw at it. Yet, among the many siblings next to it, it does not seem out of place. Just one more tree making up an ecosystem. Providing so much for so many creatures and doing its job of standing tall and reaching for the sun.
Now, there is a boardwalk around Gus, a little fan fare to celebrate it’s long life. People come to visit and take a glance and then move on. Others, stay a bit longer to try to find the secrets Gus may have whispering through its branches. Those too will move on and another group will show up to look at the wonder of Gus. They will read the info on the sign and move on. A parade of people seeing a titan and just moving on after taking a few pictures. Never thinking of the 365,000 sunsets that Gus has witnessed. Or wondering how many sunsets it may have left after we are gone. A lumbering giant. A beacon of longevity. Watching the moments pass, one visitor at a time.
Finding Gus, The Worlds biggest Western Larch Tree
Gus the Western Larch Tree is located on the west side of Seeley Lake in Montana. It is located at 4901 Boy Scout Road. There is parking for about 6 cars at the site.
More from The Fatman
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