The High Knob Landform: Summer 2018 Recap & Signs Of Autumn

September 1, 2018

Beautiful Afternoon In High Country

Pickem Mountain of High Knob Massif

Black Lives Matter Statement

The High Knob Landform

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The Appalachian Climate Center

September 22, 2018

High Knob Lake Basin of High Knob Massif

Although some nice color is developing, I do not expect color to be as good this year in upper elevations due to an Anthracnose Fungal infection of many maples and northern red oak (variation borealis) species, with brown to dark spotted leaves. Note brownish trees in the view above looking across High Knob Lake Basin from Route 238.

High Knob Lake: Sept 1-22

Elevation 1074 Meters ( 3523 feet )

Average Daily Maximum: 73.2 degrees

Average Daily Minimum: 61.1 degrees

MEAN: 67.2 degrees

Highest Temperature: 78 degrees

Lowest Temperature: 59 degrees

*University Of Virginia's College At Wise Research Station

National Weather Service calibrated temperature sensor

( Data Period: November 19, 2016 to Present )

*A wet, humid, seasonably cool summer above 2700-3000 feet has promoted fungal growth which first began showing up during Spring 2018. Some trees appear healthy while many others are showing significant effects, to include early leaf drop. Recent wetness has not helped with September
1-22 featuring an abundance of low clouds-fog and mean temps that have been warmer than Summer 2018.

Announcing the 12th Annual

High Knob Naturalist Rally

Split-gill Polypore ( Schizophyllum commune )

And The 20th Anniversary

Of The Clinch Coalition

September 1, 2018

Early Signs Of Autumn

Flag Rock Recreation Area

Although conditions remain mild, the end of August marked the conclusion of Meteorological Summer and the beginning of Autumn 2018 ( September-November period ).

Eagle Knob – August 2018

Elevation 1277 Meters ( 4188 feet )

Average Daily Maximum: 68.4 degrees

Average Daily Minimum: 59.8 degrees

MEAN: 64.1 degrees

Highest Temperature: 74 degrees

Lowest Temperature: 48 degrees

*University Of Virginia's College At Wise Research Station

National Weather Service calibrated temperature sensor

( Data Period: November 12, 2016 to Present )

August temperatures were similar to those
observed during the entire 3-month season.

High Knob Lake – August 2018

Elevation 1074 Meters ( 3523 feet )

Average Daily Maximum: 71.6 degrees

Average Daily Minimum: 58.6 degrees

MEAN: 65.1 degrees

Highest Temperature: 77 degrees

Lowest Temperature: 48 degrees

*University Of Virginia's College At Wise Research Station

National Weather Service calibrated temperature sensor

( Data Period: November 19, 2016 to Present )

September 1, 2018

High Knob Lake Basin

Evidence Of Vast Mycelium Network

The largest living organism within the 200 square mile expanse of the High Knob Massif could very likely be a fungus, via vast filamentous networks of subterranean mycelium that essentially connect all floral elements together. Since these networks mimic the neuronal network of the human brain, or vice versa, it can be argued that a forest ecosystem has an inherent intelligence! Science is discovering this fact.

What most folks call mushrooms are only the fruiting bodies, or spore producing reproductive structures which in many cases are transient in nature.

The vast network of mycelial connections remain and continue to grow and expand over time, at least until broken by human disturbances.

September 1, 2018

High Knob Lake Basin

Evidence Of Vast Mycelium Network

Eagle Knob – Summer 2018

Elevation 1277 Meters ( 4188 feet )

Average Daily Maximum: 69.5 degrees

Average Daily Minimum: 59.7 degrees

MEAN: 64.6 degrees

Highest Temperature: 79 degrees

Lowest Temperature: 48 degrees

*University Of Virginia's College At Wise Research Station

National Weather Service calibrated temperature sensor

( Data Period: November 12, 2016 to Present )

A total of 2.5 hours ( 150 minutes ) at or above 80 degrees were observed at High Knob Lake during the June-August period.

High Knob Lake – Summer 2018

Elevation 1074 Meters ( 3523 feet )

Average Daily Maximum: 72.4 degrees

Average Daily Minimum: 58.2 degrees

MEAN: 65.3 degrees

Highest Temperature: 81 degrees

Lowest Temperature: 48 degrees

*University Of Virginia's College At Wise Research Station

National Weather Service calibrated temperature sensor

( Data Period: November 19, 2016 to Present )

The ''coolest'' summer MEAN on the High Knob Massif Mesonet was observed in the head of Big Cherry Lake basin where the June-August average was a few tenths of a degree lower than on the northwestern slope of Eagle Knob ( * ).

High Knob Massif

Near Big Cherry Wetland Valley 2 Site

*The highest summer temperature observed at

the Big Cherry Valley 2 site reached 79 degrees

at an elevation of just over 3200 feet.

September 1, 2018

High Knob Lake Basin of High Knob Massif

Gelatinous Gasteroid Fungus ( Calostoma cinnabarinum )

Calostoma cinnabarium is found in sub-tropical

cloud forests, and while it occurs across eastern

North America this species becomes more common

with increasing elevation in the Appalachians (**).

The High Knob Project for Undergraduate Research At UVA-Wise has found it in both the Big Cherry Lake and High Knob Lake basins, and it has also been reported from other upper elevation sites within the High Knob Massif which spend many days every year in clouds.

**A general 53.00" to 60.00" of precipitation has fallen across upper elevations in the High Knob Massif so far during 2018 ( as of August 31 ), despite an ''off-summer'' with respect to a drier feedback being in place across
the City of Norton-Massif area.

September 1, 2018

High Knob Lake Basin

Violet-toothed Polypore ( Trichaptum biforme )

Trichaptum biforme is one of the Turkey-tail ( Trametes versicolor ) look-a-likes and one of the most common of the White-Rot fungi found in the forest that breaks down lignin in wood.

Hairy Polypore ( Trametes hirsuta )

Turkey-tail is one of the most celebrated medicinal mushrooms, with Adam Haritan of LearnYourLand doing an outstanding job presenting these outstanding benefits. Adam also shows how to identify these species in the field.

White With Pores On Back

Alternating Hairy & Smooth Zones

Turkey-tail ( Trametes versicolor )

Fungi take on many roles and can during their
life histories occupy more than a single role in
the ecology of a forest.

Curved Shaped - Smooth On Back

False Turkey-tail ( Stereum ostrea )

Saprophytes

Work upon dead and decaying wood.

Parasites

Work upon living tissues.

Mycorrahizal

Form symbiotic relationships among species.

Endophytes

Are fungi which live inside all living plants.

Mass of Polypores Working As Saprophytes

The same fungus can look very different

over different substrates, and as they age.

September 1, 2018

High Knob Lake Basin

Functioning As A Saprophyte On Dead Wood

Young Artist's Conk ( Ganoderma applanatum )

Although the huge fungus below can not be fully seen, except from the bottom, it has to be very strong to hold heavy snow, rime, and ice accumulations in winter.

It has been growing for years in High Knob Lake basin on an American Beech tree in this wet habitat of a high-elevation cove forest community within Central Appalachian Northern Hardwoods.

September 1, 2018

High Knob Lake Basin

Functioning As A Parasite On Beech

Huge And Old Ganoderma applanatum

Growning High Up On Fagus grandifolia

I love these Basidiomycota medicinal mushrooms
of the Ganoderma genus as well, as highlighted by
Adam Haritan on his YouTube Channel.

September 1, 2018

High Knob Lake Basin

Hemlock Reishi Fungus ( Ganoderma tsugae )

The Hemlock Reishi Mushroom.

January 14, 2017

Big Cherry Lake Wetland Valley

Hemlock Reishi Fungus ( Ganoderma tsugae )

The High Knob Massif contains a vast array of fungi.

Cup Fungus In Big Cherry Wetland Valley

Big Cherry Lake Wetland Valley

Gem-studded Puffball ( Lycoperdon perlatum )

September 1, 2018

High Knob Lake Basin

High Knob Lake Recreation Area

Big Cherry Lake Wetland Valley

September 1, 2018

High Knob Lake Basin

Clinch Ranger District of Jefferson NF

Big Cherry Lake Wetland Valley

September 1, 2018

Clinch River Watershed

Upper Tennessee River Basin

Powell River Watershed

Big Cherry Lake Wetland Valley

Upper Tennessee River Basin

Big Cherry Lake Wetland Valley

Club Fungi ( Clavulinopsis aurantiocinnabarina )

Along Rim of Big Cherry Lake Basin

High Knob Massif

Chicken Mushroom ( Laetiphorus sulphureus )

High Knob Massif

Chicken Mushroom ( Laetiphorus sulphureus )

Big Cherry Lake Wetland Valley

Early Colonizing Mycenoid Fungi

Unidentified Species

White Coral Fungus ( Clavulina cristata )

Striking Gilled Mushroom

Unidentified Species

Oyster Mushroom ( Pleurotus ostreatus )

Unidentified Species

September 1, 2018

High Knob Lake Basin

Tussock Moth ( Lymantriinae )

Transition from mountain to valley winds generated nice conditions during early morning hours of September 5, near the Pound Gap of Pine Mountain, with fog covering valleys across northern Wise County as the High Knob Massif capped the far horizon.

September 5, 2018

High Knob Massif Capping Horizon

Morning Fog Over Wise County, Virginia

Looking more east, the even-topped nature of plateau terrain can be seen to contrast with the much higher, more undulating crestlines of the High Knob Massif
( a tectonically folded mountain ).

September 5, 2018

View From Near Pound Gap of Pine Mountain

Looking East Across Dissected Plateau Terrain

The approach of Florence remnants produced gusty winds during September 15, especially at mid-upper elevations. Sumac leaves below are turned upward to display their bottom surfaces.

September 15, 2018

Gusty NE Winds Thru Little Stone Gap

View From Powell Valley Overlook

While trees remain mostly green in Powell Valley, some signs of autumn are becoming visible as seen by looking up along Rocky Hollow in the Head of Powell Valley.

September 15, 2018

Powell Valley Overlook of High Knob Massif

Looking Upward Through Rocky Hollow Gap

Signs of autumn are much more pronounced in upper elevations, as viewed in the high country surrounding
Big Cherry Lake.

September 15, 2018

High Country In Upper Gorge of South Fork

South Fork Gorge Near Big Cherry Lake

Observe standing dead spirals of Canadian Hemlock
( Tsuga canadensis ) due to the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid ( Adelges tsugae ) infestation of the past decade.

The good news, extensive young Hemlocks are growing nicely in the understory and mortality from the Adelgids have greatly diminished since the severe winter weather
of February 2015.

Temperatures were in the 60s and the water choppy at Big Cherry Lake, on gusty NE winds, well ahead of the approaching remnants of Florence.

September 15, 2018

Gusty NE Winds In High Country

Choppy Water of Big Cherry Lake

The effects of an Anthracnose Fungi infection is visible above with many brownish looking trees in Big Cherry Lake basin, and below in High Knob Lake Basin.

Although some nice color will develop, the general color quality is not expected to be as outstanding as it typically is at elevations above 2700-3000 feet.

September 22, 2018

Color Changes In High Knob Lake Basin

September 22, 2018

High Knob Lake Basin

Northern Tooth ( Climacodon septentrionale )

September 22, 2018

Color Changes In High Knob Lake Basin

September 22, 2018

Large Fruiting Body In High Knob Lake Basin

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