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Six on Saturday: Bark II

Six more mostly big conifers continue from last Saturday.

1. Juglans hindsii, Northern California black walnut is one of two of these six which are not conifers. It is also one of two that are exotic, though it is native to adjacent counties.

2. Cupressus macrocarpa, Monterey cypress is the other one that is exotic, although it is native to an adjacent county. Both it and California black walnut are almost native here.

3. Pinus ponderosa, ponderosa pine does not mingle much with redwood or Douglas fir, so is the dominant big conifer within its forests. It is the Official State Tree of Montana.

4. Pseudotsuga menziesii, Douglas fir mingles mostly with redwood or oak forests. Only a few venture into nearby ponderosa pine forests. It is the Official State Tree of Oregon.

5. Sequoia sempervirens, coastal redwood is the Official State Tree of California, and the tallest tree species in the World! It really is a pleasure to work around so many of them.

6. Rhody has the nicest bark. He is the other one of two of these six that are not conifers. It is difficult to get a good picture of him. Even with a treat, this was the best I could do.

Anyone who would like to participate in this meme should peruse this participant guide for Six on Saturday.

Posted on by tonytomeo · 10 Comments

Six on Saturday: Bark

It has been quite a while since I shared pictures of the interesting bark around here.

1. Umbellularia californica, bay is known by several common names, such as California bay laurel, California bay, California laurel, Oregon myrtle, mountain laurel, spicebush, pepperwood, cinnamon bush, peppernut tree, headache tree and balm of Heaven. Wow!

2. Platanus racemosa, California sycamore is technically not a riparian species, but does prefer to be near water. They can grow a bit too well in lawns, and then become too big.

3. Arbutus mensiesii, madrone has both very smooth bark and finely checkered bark like this. The smooth bark is chestnut brown, and is about as smooth and shiny as chestnuts.

4. Quercus lobata, valley oak is still relatively young. Otherwise, its bark would be more deeply furrowed. It might be here for another six centuries, and grow impressively large.

5. Quercus agrifolia, coast live oak has variable bark. It is mostly smooth and gray while young, but can get striated at an early age. It eventually roughens and darkens with age.

6. Lithocarpus densiflorus, tanoak is technically not an oak, but creates acorns anyway. The gray portions of its bark resemble that of coast live oak, but are not quite as smooth.

Anyone who would like to participate in this meme should peruse this participant guide for Six on Saturday.

Posted on by tonytomeo · 6 Comments

Six on Saturday: Early & Late

Punctuality is an attribute that is not endowed equally. Some plant species march to the beat of a different drum.

1. Lagerstroemia indica, crape myrtle is ready for autumn with its foliar color. However, the weather has not gotten cool yet. This may be the result of distress through summer.

2. Clerodendrum myricoides, butterfly flower supposedly begins to bloom in June, and then finishes about now. However, this tardy specimen is only beginning to bloom now.

3. Camellia sasanqua, sasanqua camellia should bloom for autumn or winter. However, this specimen blooms whenever it wants to. It seems to be at a different time every year.

4. Hebe buxifolia, boxwood hebe should have bloomed for June or July. However, it did nothing at the time. Instead, it is blooming now. I believe that this one is ‘Patty’s Purple’.

5. Crinum bulbispermum, Orange River lily bloomed on time for spring, but is doing so again. However, it can bloom randomly any time, so is technically neither early nor late.

6. Rhody says that it is never too early or too late for a nap. He is an expert on that topic. He also mentioned that it is bad grammar to use “however” in each of these six citations.

Anyone who would like to participate in this meme should peruse this participant guide for Six on Saturday.

Posted on by tonytomeo · 12 Comments

Six on Saturday: White

White is my favorite color; so I found six white flowers for this week. None are new here, though. Each was featured at one time or another.

1. Lobularia maritima, alyssum performed well this year. A tree that formerly shaded it has been removed. Since someone asked earlier, I realized that it does smell like honey.

2. Begonia X semperflorens–cultorum, wax begonia stands higher behind the cascading alyssum. Actually, it is not notably tall; and the alyssum does not cascade all that much.

3. Pelargonium X hortorum, zonal geranium does not shed its deteriorating blooms like the other varieties which bloom pink or red. It consequently needs occasional grooming.

4. Brugmansia X candida, angel’s trumpet is not quite as bright white as the other white flowers here. Externally, its flowers are slightly greenish. It is the most fragrant, though.

5. Rosa spp., rose is a climbing cultivar. Of course, it does not actually climb on its own. It merely extends long canes that can be tied to the fence behind it. It is still quite small.

6. Agapanthus orientalis, lily of the Nile finished blooming quite some time ago and was already deadheaded along with the blue sorts before this single late floral stalk bloomed.

Anyone who would like to participate in this meme should peruse this participant guide for Six on Saturday.

Posted on by tonytomeo · 14 Comments

Six on Saturday: Arborist’s Report

Both of only two grand valley oaks at work are deteriorating. Sadly, the prognosis for the smaller of the two is not so good.

1. Quercus lobata, valley oak is obviously distressed. It should not start to defoliate until after cool weather later in autumn. Even then, defoliation should be more symmetrical.

2. Upon closer inspection, fluffy and newer interior growth is evidently comprising most of the canopy, while the exterior of the canopy is notably sparse. It is not a new problem.

3. The defoliated portion of the canopy appears to be completely necrotic. No foliage can be seen. If the tree survives, removal of this portion will severely disfigure its symmetry.

4. This significant cavity is developing on the formerly flawless trunk. The interior wood is badly decayed. Sadly, the tree may not live long enough for this to become a concern.

5. Cupressus macrocarpa, Monterey cypress, next to the valley oak, is likely succumbing to cypress bark canker. A few trees have already been removed. It is also a slow process.

6. Meanwhile, in other news, a collared mountain lion was seen on surveillance video in the neighborhood. We all know that they live here, but it is different to actually see one.

Anyone who would like to participate in this meme should peruse this participant guide for Six on Saturday.