- Author: Harold McDonald
You'll definitely want to make sure you're on navigation, whether human or digital, because it's not the easiest place to find. Type it in on Google Maps, though, and it's not so bad. Get off I-80 onto CA 113 N and take the first exit to the right. The grove is just across the street from the veterinary school. We found plenty of free one-hour parking right on the street.
Most of the nearly 300 trees planted in the grove came from acorns in the collection of Dr. John Tucker, who was a professor and director of the UC Arboretum. There are more than 500 species of Quercus worldwide, and the Shields Grove features about 100 of those, mostly from California, Texas and Mexico in the New World, with old world species coming mostly from the Middle East. Easily the most impressive as far as size were the Persian oaks (Quercus macranthera) near the grove entrance, 100-foot giants also known as the Caucasian oaks for the mountains they call home.
But the Persian oaks are just the beginning of one of the most delightful strolls I have taken in an arboretum. If I lived in Davis, I'm sure I would spend many summer hours under the shade of the oaks. Shields Grove is really a series of connected groves—a netleaf oak grove, an English oak grove, a white oak grove, and groves of various encinos (live oaks) from Mexico—because the trees are planted in groups rather than single specimens.
One of the highlights is the gorgeous mosaic tree plaques found throughout the grove, created by UC entomology students in partnership with the Art-Science Fusion Program. Thirty-five oak species are identified by these one-of-a-kind signs, each one bringing to life the unique leaves, acorns and animals that share its life. A wall-sized mural near the entrance to the grove shows the oak family tree.
One of the highlights is the gorgeous mosaic tree plaques found throughout the grove, created by UC entomology students in partnership with the Art-Science Fusion Program. Thirty-five oak species are identified by these one-of-a-kind signs, each one bringing to life the unique leaves, acorns and animals that share its life. A wall-sized mural near the entrance to the grove shows the oak family tree.
If you're traveling through Davis, Peter J Shields Oak Grove (named after one of the founders of UC Davis) is a great refuge from the traffic of the interstate, even if you're not a plant nut—or even acorn!
- Author: Harold McDonald
Whenever vacation plans turn to outdoor adventure, southern Utah is always near the top of my list. The dramatic scenery of places like Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon has captivated millions, and I'm no exception! And though those places seem exotic and far away, you can actually get to Zion National Park quicker than Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Hiking in the Southwest, I often feel right at home, because so many of the native plants that I see there are species I grow right here in my own yard. Perhaps not surprising, given the climate similarities, but many of these are not California natives and are not widely available in nurseries here.
The trees that, for me, are
If you've got room for companions for your Gambel oak, you could consider one or more members of the Rhus genus. The sumacs have several representatives that are native to the Southwest. I have written previously in this blog about one of my personal favorites, Rhus ovata. The sugarbush is evergreen, 4-10 feet in height, and covered most of the growing season with very distinctive small red fruits. While this species isn't typical of southern Utah, it is very common around Sedona, Arizona (as well as the interior coast ranges of Southern California).
More typically in southern Utah, you will find two deciduous species, Rhus trilobata and Rhus aromatica. The former has been dubbed skunkbush for the odor of the cut plant, which I think is very unfortunate. Yes, it's not my favorite smell, but it's not that bad, and how often are you really going to cut the bush? R. trilobata is very useful as a totally carefree small bush that will rapidly grow to six feet tall and wide. The quail and other birds love it for its berries and the abundant cover it provides. With its red berries and divided leaves, it looks a bit like one of our local Ribes species. As a bonus, it has tremendous fall color. This is another one you can find locally at Big Trees or online from High Country Gardens.
Rhus aromatica, by contrast, has the common name of fragrant sumac because of its citrus fragrance. Though not found in California, it is common throughout the US, and while xerophytic like most of the genus, in southern Utah fragrant sumac seems to favor moister (mesic) sites than R trilobata. The native plant grows rapidly to five feet, but the most commonly available cultivar, ‘Gro Low,' reaches only two feet, but spreads rapidly to 6-8 feet wide, providing a tough, attractive ground cover with magnificent fall color. I bought mine from Bishop Nursery, but you can also find it online from High Country Gardens.