Sudden Oak Life by Lee Klinger

Acid rain continues to fall at my home here in Big Sur. During December 2009 there were seven measurable days of rain with the following values:

Date        Amount      Mean pH          N

Dec. 7         0.29″           4.74              3

Dec. 11       0.42″           4.53              3

Dec. 12       0.53″           4.31              3

Dec. 13       0.62″           4.71              4

Dec. 22       0.20″           4.52              2

Dec. 27       0.19″           4.36              2

Dec. 30       0.23″           4.60              2

The pH readings from Dec. 12 are some of the lowest (highest acidity) yet recorded here in Big Sur in over three years of measurements.

Meanwhile, oaks, pines, and bays are dying by the thousands. Don’t suppose there’s a connection, eh?