In my world before Master Gardeners, I was content to walk through the forest looking at the trees, calling them all green. Since completing the MG training program, my curiosity has been ignited!

We recently had the privilege of camping near Truckee at Jackson Meadows Reservoir. For the first time, I was not content to call all trees generic pine trees. I opened my eyes and realized that each tree was unique and that more than one species (generic miscellaneous pine) of tree was on display! Their bark is different, their leaves are different! I began to wonder what else I had been missing by simply not being curious enough to look around and then do some learning! 

Red fir and Ponderosa pine. (photos by Pam Allen)

First up, Pinus ponderosa, the Ponderosa Pine. According to calforestfoundation.org, the Ponderosa Pine is likely the most common conifer in CA. They thrive at elevations from 2,000 to 5,000 feet. The seeds from this tree are an important source of food. Larger animals, such as bears and deer, use the Ponderosa Pine for shelter. It is also a valuable source of timber used in floors, paneling, and window sills.

Who knew?!                                                                                         

Ponderosa pine closeup

Ponderosa pine bark closeup

Tree #2!

So, this one is going to take a little more investigation. I found an article to help me understand the difference between fir, spruce, and pine trees (finegardening.com/fir-vs-spruce-vs-pine-how-tell-them-apart). The website suggest you look for the number of needles that come out of the same spot on a twig. If a twig bears needles in groups of two, three, or five, you can safely call it a pine. If the twig carries its needles singly, it's a good bet you've got a fir or a spruce. Pull off a needle, and roll it between your fingers. If it feels flat and doesn't roll easily, it's a fir. If the needle has four sides and, thus, rolls easily between your fingers, it's a spruce. Armed with that information, I am going to go out on a limb and call this specimen a fir tree. I am not 100% convinced, but I believe it is an Abies magnifica, a red fir. It looks more like an Abies concolor, white fir. Apparently the white fir is not a California native.

Red fir needles closeup

Red fir bark closeup

Red fir is an important food source for rodents, the wood is a general construction grade used in many building projects. Red fir is also a common Christmas tree choice. (calforestfoundation.org)

Next up? Figure out the species and fun facts of these two crazy examples of curiosity gone wild!