Sometimes you can only guess and marvel at their stories. Your first picture is a Lodgepole Pine, so named for its straight trunk, suitable for, well, lodge poles... the Latin name is Pinus contorta, referring to its habit of becoming twisted and bent in adverse conditions. It is the only plant I know with two accurate and contradictory names. Multiple trunks arise from trauma, whether lightning or a hungry critter, or wind and weather...
At UC Berkeley's forestry camp 50 years ago, we were taught that porcupines can cause pine trees to fork by chewing off the terminal leader. Once the top shoot is gone, the side branches all decide they're management material and start competing for the corner office.
We just held our 50th reunion at Meadow Valley near Quincy. Looking around at many of my campmates, I can only conclude that the porcupines didn't stop with the pine trees—they apparently developed a taste for long hair as well.
Love the porcupine anecdote. I have never seen one and I don't know what porcupine damage looks like. But I am on the lookout! As far as goes? I've noticed that, too. I think that there is a season in which the male of the male-camper species either sheds it all or stops cutting it. Females? Well, they've been hostage to their hair for their whole lives.
Something strange has taken over me in the past month. I noticed how different trees are, how many species there are, how tall they can get etc. The golf course I play at is lined with thousands of trees. Suddenly I started seeing them like pets, living objects to hang out with, observe and check out. Pretty hippy dippy I'd say.
Sometimes you can only guess and marvel at their stories. Your first picture is a Lodgepole Pine, so named for its straight trunk, suitable for, well, lodge poles... the Latin name is Pinus contorta, referring to its habit of becoming twisted and bent in adverse conditions. It is the only plant I know with two accurate and contradictory names. Multiple trunks arise from trauma, whether lightning or a hungry critter, or wind and weather...
Thomas - This is wonderful detail. Straight and twisted -- a wonderful contradiction! Thank you!
At UC Berkeley's forestry camp 50 years ago, we were taught that porcupines can cause pine trees to fork by chewing off the terminal leader. Once the top shoot is gone, the side branches all decide they're management material and start competing for the corner office.
We just held our 50th reunion at Meadow Valley near Quincy. Looking around at many of my campmates, I can only conclude that the porcupines didn't stop with the pine trees—they apparently developed a taste for long hair as well.
Love the porcupine anecdote. I have never seen one and I don't know what porcupine damage looks like. But I am on the lookout! As far as goes? I've noticed that, too. I think that there is a season in which the male of the male-camper species either sheds it all or stops cutting it. Females? Well, they've been hostage to their hair for their whole lives.
I love knowing this. I had no idea before why trees develop two trunks. Thank you!
Something strange has taken over me in the past month. I noticed how different trees are, how many species there are, how tall they can get etc. The golf course I play at is lined with thousands of trees. Suddenly I started seeing them like pets, living objects to hang out with, observe and check out. Pretty hippy dippy I'd say.