Work in Nature

STATION 1 

Peace Park. Mixed conifers, PIPO, SEGI. POTR, Himalayan Blackberry. 

Viewing from just west of the Lembrick Peace Park. Tree species on the horizon include ponderosa  pine (Pinus ponderosa, PIPO), Giant Sequoia (Sequoia gigantea, SEGI), and black cottonwood  (Populus trichocarpa POTR). The planted ponderosa pine is at or a little westward of it natural limit.  It prefers drier climes, being adapted to a fairly frequent fire regime. The Giant Sequoia, also planted,  is currently native to a narrow band in California. The pollen record, however, indicates that it was  native to our region before the last ice age. Transplanted, it grows very fast in our immediate region.  Though planted some years after the ponderosa pine, it is outgrowing the pine. The black cottonwood,  is a fast growing, shorter lived native hardwood. It prefers sites with ample water, such as near the  base of a hill. Seedlings of Douglas-fir (PSME), our widespread native species, make up the  understory. They can tolerate some shade, but typically do not do well in full understory conditions.  Scotch broom, another exotic species is in the area. This nitrogen fixing legume produces large  amounts of hardshelled seeds. These remain dormant in the soil, continually germinating for decades.

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DF, unknown shrub, ivy 

This view, a bit further west from the Peace Park, illustrates an unknown shrub (red elderberry,  Sambucu racemosa) with twisty branches, and the invasive ground cover species, English ivy (Hedara  helix, HEHE). The elderberry provides food for birds and had medicinal uses uses among First Nations peoples. The English ivy is a pest in the woods. It can take over the forest floor displacing native plant species such as the native Sword fern (Polystichum munitum, lower right of image) and creating habitat for vermin such as rats. A western red cedar (Thuja plicata, THPL) is to the left and a black  cottonwood is behind the shrub. Western red cedar is a sacred tree among First Peoples. The straight  grained wood from older trees provided canoes and building materials awhile its fibrous bark provided  materials for weaving baskets and clothing and fabricating parfleche carriers. Its seed can germinate in the forest understory, its seedlings tolerate shade. In the open, it grows about as well as Douglas-fir. It  would be more prevelant except that deer and elk feast upon its seedlings.

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Two native hardwoods are seen here; hazel (Corylus cornuta CPCN)

A shrub that can  reach 3m in height and choke cherry (Prunus emarginita PUEM). The nuts from wild hazel are edible  though small relative to the shell compared to cultivated hazel. Choke cherry flowers are beautiful,  however, the fruits name is aptly deserved from the strong astringent flavor.

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STATION 2

Western red cedar, dogwood to the north 

This stop illustrates western red cedar, and Douglas-fir. Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii PSME) is  the pre-eminent species in our lower elevation, moist vegetation zone, because of its dominant presence in native forest ecosystems and its economic importance. It produces a good seed crop on average  about every 12 years. Its seed prefers bare mineral soil and full sunlight to partial shade for  germination. The seedlings can tolerate some shade and usually do best in full sunlight. 

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An ornamental dogwood (Cornus sp.)

is planted near the equipment shed. As with our  native dogwood species, it produces beautiful flowers each spring. However, what we see as large  flower petals are actually leaves surrounding each small cluster of flowers.

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STATION 4

Young Douglas-fir dominate the foreground and understory. The receive enough light along the edge for growth. Deeper in the understory, they would not grow as well.

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STATION 7

Naturally regenerated seedlings of grand fir (Abies grandis ABGR), Douglas-fir and  western red cedar find the edge opening to their liking. Grand fir, as with western red cedar can  tolerate more shade than can Douglas-fir. Grand fir is shorter lived than Douglas-fir or Western red  cedar and does not grow as large. Its wood does make the grade for construction material.

 

STATION 10

stumps, as with standing dead trees, have an ecological role to play. In the forest, western  hemlock seedlings often grow on Douglas-fir stumps. This Douglas-fir stump, was hollowed out by  root disease. It provides habitat for an Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana QUGA) seedling. Oregon  oak is a plant indicator for drier sites within the Douglas-fir zone. As with western red cedar, it is a  favored browse species by deer and elk. 

 

STATION 12

Tapered Douglas-fir, holly understory, self thinning, bird habitat 

This stop illustrates the effect of growing conditions on tree form and mortality. Conifers receiving  sunlight, from all sides, tend to have fuller, deeper crowns. This leads to a more tapered stem. Trees in the understory, receiving light primarily from above, tend to have less full crowns, leading to more  cylindrical stems. As dense groups of trees mature, the slower growing individuals are shaded out and  die. These dead trees are then invaded by insects, providing a valuable food source for birds. Dead  trees, standing and downed also provide roosting and nesting habitat as well as a valuable long term,  slow release source of nutrients, especially nitrogen, for the surrounding live trees. 

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European Holly (Ilex aquifoleum ILAQ)

is an escaped commercial cultivar that has found this open  understory in our lower-elevation forest to its liking. Propagated in orchards for Christmas decoration, it can become difficult to remove in low elevation forests. Its berries are toxic to humans, but may  provide a food source for birds. Its spiny leaves also provide a safe roosting area for birds.