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SPECIAL  ISSUE     .:.    YOSEMITE  NATURE  NOTES 
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From  the  collection  of  the 


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San  Francisco,  California 
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RICHARD  G.  MILLER 


Yosemite  Nature  Notes 

THE  MONTHLY  PUBLICATION  OF 
THE  YOSEMITE  NATURALIST  DEPARTMENT 
AND  THE  YOSEMITE  NATURAL  HISTORY  ASSOCIATION  *  " 

VOL  XXVI  JANUARY,  1947  NO.  1 


Broadleaved  Trees  of  Yosemite 
National  Park 

By  C.  FRANK  BROCKMAN 

INTRODUCTION 

This  booklet,  designed  as  a  com-  otherwise  sombre  nature  of  our  coni- 

panion    to    "Cone-bearing    Trees    of  ferous  forests.    Furthermore,  it  will  be 

Yosemite,"  will  aid  Park  visitors   in  obvious   even   to  a  casual   observer 

the  completion  of  a  study  of  the  trees  that  there  is  a  considerable  concen- 

of  this  area.    Although  the  forests  of  tration  of  broadleaved  trees  in  Yose- 

Yosemite  National  Pork  are  primarily  mite  Valley  which,   although   but  a 

coniferous  (1),  one  will  find  a  number  small  part  of  Yosemite  National  Park, 

of   broadleaved    species   which    em-  is  the  section  most  frequented  by  the 

body   specific  interest  due   to  the  majority  of  visitors.    Thus,  to  a  large 

character  of  their  spring  floral   dis-  number  of  people,  the  broadleaved 

play,    their    form,    the   odor   of    their  trees  attract  attention  out  of  propor- 

foliage,  the  color  of  their  foliage  in  tion  to   their   relative   abundance   in 

the  fall,  the  nature  or  color  of  seeds  Yosemite  forests. 

and   the   manner   of  seed   dispersal,  The   California   black    oak,   which 

their  habitat,  and  similar  factors,  occurs  in  abundance  in  the  Valley, 

These  things  render  them  conspicu-  is   of   significant   importance    in    this 

ous,    thus    serving    to    highlight    the  regard,  particularly  in  the  fall  when 


(1)  Thirty-five  species  of  trees  grow  naturally  in  Yosemite  National  Park.  Eighteen,  the 
greater  part  of  this  number,  are  broadleaved.  However,  while  this  group  is  in  the  majority 
insofar  as  number  of  species  is  concerned,  Yosemite  forests  are  essentially  coniferous  in  type, 
being  dominated  by  the  sixteen  species  of  cone-bearing  trees  which  are  found  here  in  much 
greater  abundance.  In  addition  the  California  torreya  (Torreya  californica),  which  possesses 
needle-like,  evergreen  foliage  but  which  is  not  a  cone-bearing  tree,  is  native  to  Yosemite  National 
Park.  Because  of  the  similarity  of  its  foliage  to  that  of  many  conifers  a  description  of  that  species 
will  be  found  in  the  booklet  on  cone-bearing  trees. 

Attention  should  also  be  called  to  those  trees  which  are  not  native  to  the  Pork  but  which 
were  introduced  into  the  area  during  the  pioneer  period.  Included  in  this  category  are  the 
American  elm,  black  locust,  sugar  maple,  and  a  number  of  varieties  of  fruit  trees — largely  apple. 
The  latter  are  found  principally  in  three  orchards  on  the  Valley  floor  which  were  planted  during 
the  60's  by  James  C.  Lamon  and  James  M.  Hutchings,  early  settlers  in  this  greg,  (See  page  30). 


YOSEMITE  NATURE  NOTES 


the  acorns  are  conspicuous  features, 
and  when  its  foliage  assumes  the 
rich  golds  and  browns  characteristic 
of  the  season.  Likewise  the  Pacific 
dogwood  is  distinctive,  not  only  in 
the  spring  when  it  is  festooned  with 
numerous  large  white  blossoms,  but 
also  in  the  fall  when  it  bears  clusters 
of  bright  red  seeds,  and  when  the 
foliage  takes  on  a  characteristic  au- 
tumnal red.  Other  species  possess 
outstanding  characters  of  a  similar 
nature  which  attract  their  share  of 
visitor  interest.  The  foliage  of  the 
California  laurel  gives  off  a  penetrat- 
ing, pungent  odor  when  bruised;  the 
holly-like  leaves  of  the  canyon  live 
oak  rarely  fail  to  attract  attention; 
and  the  quivering  of  the  long-stem- 
med leaves  of  the  aspen  is  a  familiar 
sight  in  the  "high  country." 

Leaf  Fall  and  Autumnal  Color  of 
Foliage 

With  few  exceptions  the  broad- 
leaved  trees  of  Yosemite  National 
Park  lose  their  leaves  in  the  fall.  This, 
and  its  related  phenomena,  is  the 
result  of  the  tree's  preparation  for 
winter  for  as  the  season  approaches, 
deciduous  trees  must  necessarily  be 
ready  to  withstand  its  rigors.  These 
preparations  are  largely  to  prevent 
excessive  transpiration,  since  abnor- 
mal loss  of  water  may  result  in  the 
death  of  the  tree.  They  are  respon- 
sible for  the  vivid  fall  colors  charac- 
teristic of  the  foliage  of  many  decidu- 
ous trees,  the  annual  loss  of  foliage, 
and  the  development  of  many  fea- 
tures useful  in  winter  identification. 

During  the  summer  the  leaves 
serve  as  places  of  food  manufacture. 
As  autumn  approaches,  practically 
everything  of  nutritive  value  to  the 


tree  is  gradually  transferred  to  other 
parts  and  the  leaves  soon  become 
mere  skeletons,  their  cells  containing 
only  pigments  which  are  of  no  further 
use.  These  pigments  are  responsible 
for  the  fall  colors. 

Leaf  fall,  most  obvious  of  the  de- 
ciduous tree's  preparation  for  winter, 
is  anticipated  weeks  before  the  oc- 
currence of  this  event.  By  midsum- 
mer a  layer  of  loose  cells  begins  to 
form  across  the  base  of  the  leaf  stem. 
When  complete  it  extends  entirely 
across  the  stem  at  the  point  where  it 
joins  the  twig,  except  for  the  vascular 
bundles  which  must  necessarily  re- 
main open  to  facilitate  the  transpor- 
tation of  food  and  moisture.  Subse- 
quently an  additional  layer  of  corky 
cells  form  under  the  one  previously 
developed.  With  the  advent  of  fall, 
with  its  rains  and  frosty  nights,  small 
crystals  of  ice  develop  between  the 
two  cell  layers.  These  exert  a  prying 
action  which  snaps  the  leaf  from  the 
twig.  The  leaf  scar,  which  would 
otherwise  have  remained  as  an  open 
wound,  is  protected  by  the  corky  cell 
layer. 

However,  this  is  but  one  episode 
in  the  tree's  preparation  for  winter. 
By  midsummer  the  buds,  conspicuous 
on  the  naked  twigs  in  winter,  ore 
formed.  These  contain  the  rudimen- 
tary foliage  or  flower  parts  destined 
for  development  in  the  following 
summer  which  are  protected  by 
scales,  waxes,  gums,  or  hairs.  In  ad- 
dition growth  is  retarded  and  finally 
ceases,  the  recently  formed  tissues 
are  "hardened,"  and  the  bark  of  the 
twigs  and  branches  is  increased  in 
thickness  through  the  addition  of 
corky  tissue. 


BROADLEAVED  TREES  OF  YOSEMITE  NATIONAL  PARK 


Ident-ification    of    Decidious   Trees 
In    Winter 

Such  preparations  are  responsible 
for  the  development  of  a  variety  of 
features  by  means  of  which  one  may 
readily  identify  deciduous  trees  in 
winter  primarily  by  an  examination 
of  the  naked  twigs.  Varying  with  the 
species,  in  a  manner  similar  to  the 
more  familiar  foliage,  flowers,  or 
fruits,  one  finds  buds  of  distinctive 
form  and  protective  devices  placed 
in  typical  positions  on  the  twigs,  leaf 
scars  of  distinctive  size  and  shape 
with    their   vascular   bundle   scars 


(from  one  to  many)  arranged  in  spe- 
cific patterns  upon  the  surface,  and 
stipule  scars  which  are  present  on 
the  twigs  of  certain  species.  In  ad- 
dition one  may  note  the  color,  taste 
and  odor  of  the  twig,  the  nature  and 
number  of  the  lenticels  in  the  bark, 
the  color  and  character  of  the  pith 
found  in  the  central  portion  of  the 
twig,  and  the  bark  itself.  The  form 
of  the  tree  is  also  of  assistance  in 
winter  identification.  This  has  many 
variations,  from  an  upright  pattern 
(as  in  the  case  of  the  Pacific  dog- 
wood) wherein   the  trunk   or  central 


'^Tom  drawing  by  C.    frank   Brockman 


1.  WILLOWS.  Twigs  slender,  round  in  cross  section.  Leaf  scars  alternate,  U-shaped  and  narrow,  with 
three  bundle  scars.  Buds  sessile  {not  stalked),  small,  oblong  and  with  but  one  exposed  bud  scale.  Pith 
round  in  cross  section  and  small. 

2.  BLACK  COTTONWOOD.  Twigs  moderately  stout,  slightly  angular  in  cross  section.  Leaf  scars 
large,  alternate,  broadly  crescent  shaped  to  triangular,  with  three  bundle  scars.  Buds  sessile,  elongated, 
conical,  gummy  and  fragrant,  with  6-7  overlapping  scales.  Pi/h  rather  unull,  somcuhat  S-angled  in  cross 
section. 

5.  WHITE  ALDER.  Tuigs  slender,  somcubat  i-sidcd  in  cross  section.  Leaf  scars  alternate;  half 
round,  raised,  with  three  bundle  scars.  Buds  large  and  stalked,  with  2-3  reddish-broun  laltafe  {not 
overlapping)    scales. 


YOSEMITE  NATURE  NOTES 


axis  of  the  tree  is  continued  through 
the  crown,  to  a  wide-spreading  type 
(as  in  the  California  black  oak)  in 
which  case  the  trunk  divides  into  sev- 
eral large  limbs. 

Beauty   of    Deciduous   Trees 
In    Winter 

The  beauty  of  our  deciduous  trees 
in  winter  should  not  be  overlooked. 
Even  though  devoid  of  foliage  at  that 
time  the  rigors  of  that  season  lend  a 
distinctive  charm  to  these  trees.  This 
is  of  particular  importance  in  areas 
such  as  Yosemite  Valley.  Here,  after 
a  snow  storm,  the  naked  branches  of 


the  California  black  oak  are  often 
sheathed  with  a  coating  of  snow 
which  presents  a  glistening  pattern 
against  the  background  of  a  blue  Si- 
erra sky.  On  such  occasions  these 
trees  contribute,  in  no  small  measure, 
to  the  development  of  a  veritable 
fairyland  of  exquisite  beauty. 

Plan    and    Organization   of 
This    Publication 

The  descriptions  of  the  broadleaved 
trees  found  in  Yosemite  National 
Park,  as  noted  on  the  following 
pages,  are  presented  in  a  style  de- 
signed primarily  for  the  layman.    In 


friim  draning   by    C.    Irjiik   Bruikiiiiiii 

4.  CALIFORNIA  BLACK  OAK.  Twigs  moderate  to  slender,  often  fluted.  Leaf  scars  alternate,  moder- 
ate to  small  in  size,  half  round  .;;;</  someuhat  raised,  with  numerous  bundle  scars.  Clusters  of  several  buds 
at  tip  of  twin;  lateral  buds  solitary.  Buds  sessile  (not  stalked)  with  ot  erlapping,  scales  arranged  in  fne 
ranks.     Pith  small   and  someuhat   star-shaped  in   cross    section. 

5.  BlGLEAl-  MAPLE.  Twigs  stout.  Leaf  scars  opposite.  U-shaped,  and  with  U9  bundle  scars.  Buds 
sessile,  stout,  blunt,  ui/h  3-4  pairs  of  oterlapping  scales.  Set  rral  buds  clustered  at  tip  of  tuig:  lateral 
buds     solitary. 

6.  PACIIIC  DOGWOOD.  Twig\  slender.  Leaf  stars  opposite,  narrow,  crescent  or  U-shaped  with  three 
bundle  scars.  Leaf  scars  encircle  twig,  are  commonly  raised  during  first  winter  on  petiole  bases — later 
sluff  off  at  level  of  twig.  Buds  solitary,  stalked,  oblong,  with  pair  of  vallate  scales. 


BROADLEAVED  TREES  OF  YOSEMITE  NATIONAL  PARK 


addition  to  the  descriptive  text,  with  tification.     For    those    who    wish    to 

accompanying  illustrations,  a  simple  pursue  this  subject  to  greater  lengths 

field  key  (see  page  37)  is  also  includ-  the   list   of   selected   references   (see 

ed  to  serve  as  an  aid  in  quick  iden-  page  40)  will  be  of  particular  value. 


y'^  Za 


\«  / 


Photo  by  Ansel  Adams 


Yoscmiie  Valley  oaks  iti   iiiiilcr 


YOSEMITE  NATURE  NOTES 


Salix    spp. 


WILLOWS 
Willow    Family  —  (Salicaceae) 


Although  about  fifteen  species  of 
willows  are  native  to  Yosemite  Na- 
tional Park,  where  they  are  found 
growing  from  the  low  foothill  zone  to 
the  frigid  upper  slopes  of  the  Sierra 
peaks  within  the  Arctic-alpine  Zone 
(1),  but  three  species  can  be  consider- 
ed as  attaining  tree  stature.  These 
are  the  Pacific  willow  (Salix  lasiandra 
Benth.),  also  known  as  the  yellow  or 
western  black  willow,  the  red  willow 
(Salix  laevigata  Bebb.),  also  known 
as  the  polished  or  smooth  willow, 
and  the  Scouler  willow  (Salix  scoul- 


eriana  Barrett).  The  first  named  is 
perhaps  the  most  common.  It  can  be 
readily  found  along  the  banks  of  the 
Merced  River  in  Yosemite  Valley  (2). 
This  is  a  difficult  group  of  plants 
and  the  person  not  trained  in  botany 
will  have  difficulty  in  determining 
the  various  species.  However,  as  a 
group  they  possess  certain  well  de- 
fined and  readily  recognized  charac- 
ters with  which  most  people  ore 
familiar  and  which  can  be  readily 
noted  even  by  casual  observation. 
Thus,  to  most  people  the  identity  of 


Typical  uillow  foliage   (Inch  squares  on   background) 


(1)  Alpine  willow  (Salix  petrophila  caespitosa)  is  one  of  the  more  interesting  high  altitude 
plants  of  Yosemite  National  Park.  It  is  rarely  more  than  4-6  inches  high  and  can  be  found  on 
moist  slopes  in  the  vicinity  of  limberline. 

(2)  Three  others — the  heartleaf  willow  (Salix  cordata),  the  arroya  willow  (Salix  lasiolepis), 
and  the  Hind's  or  sandbar  willow  (Salix  hindsiana)  sometimes  assume  the  stature  of  tall  shrubs 
cmd  may  occasionally  be  regarded  as  small  trees. 


BROADLEAVED  TREES  OF  YOSEMITE  NATIONAL  PARK 


"willow"  is  usually  sufficient  and  this 
group  is  treated  in  that  fashion. 

All  willows  are  deciduous  trees  or 
shrubs  with  simple,  alternate  leaves. 
The  staminate  (male)  and  pistillate 
(female)  flowers  are  borne  on  differ- 
ent trees  in  narrow,  elongated  clust- 
ers known  as  catkins.  The  fruit  is  a 
capsule  which  contains  many  seeds, 
each  bearing  a  tuft  of  hairs  at  the 
base,  by  means  of  which  the  seeds 
are  dispersed  by  the  wind.  The  bark 
has  a  bitter,  quinine-like  flavor.  The 
leaves,  which  are  generally  elonga- 
ted, have  a  pair  of  peculiar  ear- 
shaped  growths  (stipules)  at  the  base 
of  the  leaf  stems.  The  buds  are  dis- 
tinctive in  that  they  are  characterized 
by  a  single  bud  scale.  The  leaf  scars. 


left  upon  the  twigs  after  the  foliage 
has  dropped  in  the  autumn,  are  U- 
shaped  and  narrow  with  three  vas- 
cular bundle  scars  upon  the  surface. 
The  buds,  with  their  single  scale,  and 
the  leaf  scars  are  particularly  good 
characters  for  winter  identification. 

The  twigs  of  various  species  of 
willow  were  once  widely  used  by 
the  Indians  of  the  Yosemite  region  in 
the  manufacture  of  many  types  of 
baskets. 

For  detailed,  specific  descriptions 
of  the  various  species  of  willows 
found  in  this  region  the  reader  is 
referred  to  the  several  texts  noted  in 
the  list  of  selected  references  on  page 
40. 


BLACK  COTTONWOOD 
Populus  trichocarpa  Torr.  &  Gray  —  Willow  Family  (Salicaceae) 


Although  not  a  tree  of  particular 
beauty,  the  black  cottonwood  is  one 
of  the  most  easily  recognized  of  our 
broadleaved  trees.  It  is  rarely  found 
above  4,500  feet  and  is  common  in 
the  Yosemite  Valley,  Wawona,  and 
Hetch  Hetchy  areas  where  it  grows 
along  streams  or  in  moist  meadows. 
Numbers  of  fine  specimens  can  be 
readily  found  along  the  Merced  River 
in  Yosemite  Valley.  Several  are 
growing  on  the  bank  of  Yosemite 
Creek  which  borders  the  cabin  area 
of  Yosemite  Lodge. 

Young  trees,  as  well  as  the  bran- 
ches and  upper  trunk  of  mature  speci- 
mens, are  characterized  by  smooth, 
pale  gray  bark  which  assumes  a  dark 
gray,  heavily  ridged  and  furrowed 
character  on  old  trunks.   In  the  latter 


case  the  bark  is  occasionally  as 
much  as  two  inches  thick.  The  larger 
trees,  which  may  attain  an  age  of 
from  60  to  90  years,  are  80  to  90  feet 
tall  and  from  two  to  three  feet  in  di- 
ameter. In  most  instances  the  trunks 
are  free  of  branches  for  a  distance 
of  from  one-half  to  two-thirds  of  their 
height,  with  a  short,  ragged,  open 
crown  characterized  by  heavy,  up- 
right branches.  These  branches  are 
quite  brittle,  or  "brash,"  and  often 
snap  off  during  periods  of  high  wind 
or  heavy  snow. 

The  thick,  leathery  leaves,  finely 
toothed  along  the  edges,  are  from  two 
to  seven  inches  long,  broad  at  the 
base  and  tapering  to  an  acute  point. 
They  are  shiny  green  on  the  upper 
side,   pale  to  silvery-white  beneath, 


YOSEMITE  NATURE  NOTES 


ctnd  are  further  characterized  by 
large,  conspicuous  veins.  Mid-veins, 
and  often  the  slender  round  leaf 
stems,  are  sometimes  slightly  hairy. 
In  the  fall  before  dropping  from  the 
tree  the  leaves  assume  a  dull,  yel- 
lowish-brown color  which,  although 
suffering  by  comparison  with  the  fall 
color  of  the  California  black  oak  and 
Pacific  dogwood,  nevertheless  adds 
a  note  of  interest  to  our  fall  color  dis- 
play. 

Perhaps  its  most  interesting  char- 
acters are  the  flowers  and  seeds. 
Staminate  (male)  and  pistillate  (fe- 
male) flowers  are  borne  on  different 
trees.  The  former,  which  bear  the 
pollen,  are  produced  in  great  num- 
bers in  dense,  pendent,  tassel-like 
clusters  (aments)  one  to  two  inches 
long.  The  latter,  also  borne  in  pen- 
dent aments,  are  more  loosely  clus 


Vholo  by  Anderson 

Black   cotfonu'ood  in   Yoscmite  Valli- 


Vbolo  by    Bnnkmjii 


I  oliagc  ami  svcih  of  blai  k   <  u/ldiin  <<<«,/    (  jnih  njiiarcs  on  backfiroiniJ) 


BROADLEAVED  TREES  OF  YOSEMITE  NATIONAL  PARK 


tered.  At  maturity  they  are  four  or 
five  inches  long  and  appear  as  grape- 
like clusters  of  round,  green  globules, 
each  one  containing  a  multitude  of 
tiny,  brown  seeds  to  which  are  at- 
tached a  number  of  soft,  cottony  fila- 
ments by  means  of  which  the  seeds 
are  wind  dispersed.  It  is  to  this 
character  that  the  tree  owes  its  name. 
In  midsummer  when  the  green  ssed- 
laden  capsules  open,  the  air  is  filled 
with  these  wind-borne  seeds  and  the 
ground  in  the  vicinity  of  these  trees 
is  often  covered  with  a  thick,  downy 
carpet  of  "cotton." 

The  twigs  are  slender  to  moderately 
stout,  sometimes  slightly  angular,  and 
vary  in  color  from  orange-brown  to 
greenish-brown.  The  buds,  similarly 
colored,  are  as  much  as  three-quar- 


ters of  an  inch  long,  narrowly  conical 
with  six  or  seven  overlapping  scales, 
but  their  most  distinctive  characteris- 
tic is  the  presence  of  gummy,  frag- 
rant resin.  Leaf  scars  which,  with  the 
twigs  and  buds,  assist  in  winter  iden- 
tification of  this  tree  are  large  and 
conspicuous,  being  slightly  raised, 
broadly  crescent-shaped  to  triangu- 
lar in  outline  (sometimes  three-lobed), 
and  alternate,  with  three  large  vas- 
cular bundle  scars  appearing  there- 
on. 

The  natural  range  of  the  black  Cot- 
tonwood includes  an  extensive  area 
of  the  Pacific  west  —  from  southern 
Alaska  and  the  Yukon  south  through 
British  Columbia,  Washington,  cmd 
Oregon  to  southern  California. 


QUAKING  ASPEN 
Populus  tremuloides  Michx.  —  Willow  Family  (Salicaceae) 


As  one  of  the  most  interesting  trees 
of  the  higher  elevations  in  the  park, 
the  aspen  is  rendered  conspicuous 
by  the  character  of  its  bark,  which  is 
generally  smooth  and  white,  and  the 
habit  of  the  leaves  quivering  in  the 
slightest  breeze. 

Park  visitors  who  remain  on  the 
Valley  floor  will  not  have  the  pleas- 
ure of  observing  the  graceful  beauty 
of  this  tree  for  it  is  found  in  the  Cana- 
dian and  Hudsonian  Zones,  rarely 
growing  below  5,000  feet.  It  will  be 
most  readily  noted  along  the  Tioga 
Road  in  the  vicinity  of  Yosemite 
Creek,  on  the  Glacier  Point  Road  near 
Bridalveil  Creek  or  in  the  vicinity  of 
Badger  Pass,  along  the  trail  between 


Nevada  Falls  and  Merced  Lake, 
about  Washburn  Lake,  and  between 
Glen  Aulin  and  Waterwheel  Falls. 
Aspen  Valley  owes  its  name  to  the 
groves  of  this  species  in  that  area. 

Although  generally  smooth  and 
white  (sometimes  with  a  cream-col- 
ored or  light  green  cast),  the  bark  is 
often  marked  with  numerous  black, 
wart-like  protuberances.  On  older 
trees  it  is  generally  rough  and  dark 
brown  at  the  base.  The  slender  limbs 
are  irregularly  bent  and  stand  out 
straight  from  the  trunk.  Where  aspens 
are  found  in  the  open  the  limbs  form 
a  loose,  narrow,  dome-like  crown  that 
extends  throughout  most  of  the  tree's 
height.  However,  the  aspen  is  very 


10 


YOSEMITE  NATURE  NOTES 


intolerant  of  shade  and  under  crowd- 
ed conditions  it  produces  a  very  long, 
slender  trunk  with  a  small  rounded 
crown  occupying  but  the  upper  third 
of  the  tree's  height. 

It  prefers  moist,  sandy,  mineral 
soils  and  thus  is  most  commonly 
found  along  streams  and  canyon  bot- 
toms where  it  often  forms  attractive 
groves.  Under  such  conditions  it  rar- 
ely fails  to  gain  the  admiration  of  the 
passerby  for  what  it  lacks  in  size  it 
overcomes  in  grace  and  beauty. 

The  aspen  is  not  a  large  tree,  the 
maximum  height  being  about  50  to 
60  feet  and  the  diameter  12  to  30  in- 
ches. It  is  also  short-lived,  rarely 
being  more  than  50  to  60  years  old. 
Trees    10   to    14   inches   in  diameter 


average  about  30  to  40  years  of  age. 
The  leaves,  almost  round  in  outline 
and  ending  in  a  definite  point  at  the 
apex,  are  one  and  one-half  to  three 
inches  in  diameter,  and  edged  with 
small,  regular  serrations  or  teeth. 
They  are  shiny  and  smooth,  deep  yel- 
low-green above  and  lighter  on  the 
underside.  The  most  distinctive  char- 
acter of  the  leaves,  however,  is  their 
habit  of  fluttering  in  the  slightest 
breeze.  The  reason  for  this  is  readily 
accounted  for  by  the  long  leaf  stem 
or  petiole  (one  and  one-half  to  three 
inches  in  length)  which  is  flattened 
from  the  sides.  The  specific  name, 
tremuloides,  was  applied  because  of 
the  quivering  habit  of  the  leaves.  It 
also  accounts  for  the  common  name 
of  quaking  aspen. 


holiagc  and  floucn  of  quaking  asprn    (Inch  iquarcs  on  background) 


BROADLEAVED  TREES  OF  YOSEMITE  NATIONAL  PARK 


11 


Interesting  at  any  time  of  the  year 
because  of  its  many  outstanding 
characteristics,  it  is  at  its  best  in  the 
fall.  At  that  time  the  sombre,  green 
clad  mountainsides  of  the  upper  ele- 
vations are  enlivened  by  brilliant 
patches  of  bright  golden  yellow  and 
orange  as  the  foliage  of  the  aspen 
assumes  its  characteristic  brilliant 
shades  preparatory  to  dropping  from 
the  tree  in  anticipation  of  the  winter 
season.  Fall  arrives  early  at  altitudes 
frequented  by  the  aspen,  being  at  its 
height  in  September  with  the  first 
signs  of  autumn  occasionally  being 
evident  as  early  as  late  August. 

As  in  the  case  of  all  members  of 
the  willow  family  the  staminate  (male) 
and  pistillate  (female)  flowers  of  the 
aspen  are  borne  on  separate  trees, 
occurring  as  pendent,  tassel-like 
clusters  (aments).  Staminate  clusters 
ore  one  and  one-half  to  two  and  one- 
half  inches  long;  pistillate  clusters 
are  four  inches  long  at  maturity,  bear- 
ing numerous  elongated  capsules 
containing  many  tiny  seeds  attached 
to  conspicuous  cottony  filaments 
which  aid  in  the  dissemination  of  the 
seeds  by  the  wind. 

It  is  one  of  the  most  widely  distrib- 
uted North  American  trees,  occurring 


Photo  by   AnJerson 

Bark    detail   on   aapeii 

from  the  northern-most  extent  of  tree 
growth  from  Labrador  westward  to 
Alaska,  and  southward  at  progres- 
sively higher  elevations  into  the 
southern  Sierra  Nevada  and  Rocky 
Mountain  regions. 


12 


YOSEMITE  NATURE  NOTES 


WHITE   ALDER 
AInus  rhombifolia  Nutt    —  Birch  Family  (Betulaceae) 


This  is  one  of  the  most  common 
trees  of  the  Transition  Zone  where  it 
is  found  in  considerable  abundance 
in  moist  sandy  soils  bordering 
streams,  up  to  4,500  feet  in  elevation. 
It  is  particularly  common  at  Happy 
Isles,  about  Mirror  Lake,  in  many 
places  along  the  banks  of  the  Merced 
River  in  Yosemite  Valley,  while  Alder 
Creek  near  Wowona  owes  its  name 
to  the  abundance  of  these  trees  at 
certain  locations  along  its  course. 

The  white  alder  can  be  readily 
identified  by  its  smooth,  steel-gray 
bark  (on  young  trees)  which  become 
scaly  and  ridged  with  age,  and  the 
conspicuous,  cone-like  features — one- 
quarter  to  one-half  inch  long — which 


bear  the  seeds,  and  which  are  known 
as  strobiles. 

The  leaves  are  alternate  on  the 
branches,  are  large  (one  and  one- 
half  to  two  inches  wide  and  from  two 
to  three  inches  long),  a  dark  lustrous 
green  on  the  upper  surface,  ovate  in 
outline  with  coarsely  toothed  margins 
and  prominent  veins  extending  to  the 
margins. 

Both  staminate  and  pistillate  flow- 
ers, while  borne  in  separate  clusters, 
are  found  on  the  same  tree.  Both  are 
partially  formed  in  the  summer  pre- 
vious to  maturity.  The  former  are  con- 
tained in  long,  pendent,  tassel-like 
clusters  which  are  very  conspicuous 
in  the  late  winter  and  early  spring 


Photo  by  Brockman 


Foliage  and  strobiles  of  white  alder    {Inch  squares   on   background) 


BROADLEAVED  TREES  OF  YOSEMITE  NATIONAL  PARK 


13 


Photo  by   Brorkman 

Bark   of   mature  alder 


before  the  opening  of  the  leaves.  At 
that  time  they  are  from  four  to  six 
inches  in  length.  The  latter  first  ap- 
pear as  small  green  affairs  contained 
in  loose  clusters  of  three  to  four  in 
number,  later  enlarging  to  oblong 
compact,  green  "cones."  At  that  time 
they  are  about  one-half  inch  in 
length.  The  white  alder  is  a  prolific 
seed  producer.  The  seeds,  contained 
between  the  scales  of  the  strobiles, 
are  mature  by  midsummer  but  are 
not  liberated  until  the  following  win- 
ter, or  even  spring.  At  that  tims  th") 
"cones"  are  hard,  woody,  and  black. 
After  liberating  the  seeds  they  often 
litter  the  ground  below  the  trees  or 


remain  hanging  from  the  branches 
for  a  considerable  time,  thus  furnish- 
ing a  ready  clue  to  the  identity  of  the 
white  alder  throughout  most  of  the 
year. 

Newly  produced  twigs  are  smooth, 
chestnut-brown  in  color,  more  or  less 
triangular  in  cross  section,  and  char- 
acterized by  widely  separated,  elon- 
gated specks.  The  crown  is  broad 
and  open  with  long  branches,  droop- 
ing toward  their  ends,  extending  from 
the  trunk. 

One  of  the  best  characters  for  win- 
ter identification  of  the  white  alder 
are  the  large  buds.  They  are  pro- 
duced alternately  on  the  twigs,  and 
like  all  alders,  are  stalked.  No  other 
broad-leaved  tree  in  Yosemite  Na- 
tional Park  has  stalked  buds.  In  ad- 
dition to  this  distinctive  feature,  the 
buds  are  dark  brown  to  dull  red  in 
color,  are  coated  with  a  light  colored 
fuzz,  and  the  scales,  instead  of  being 
numerous  and  overlapping,  are  only 
two  or  three  in  number  and  valvate 
in  character.  The  leaf  scars,  some- 
what raised  and  half  round  in  out- 
line, are  characterized  by  three 
vascular  bundle  scars. 

It  is  a  tree  of  rapid  growth,  and 
because  it  can  endure  considerable 
competition,  often  forms  dense  thick- 
ets. It  is  not  a  long-lived  species  and 
soon  attains  a  maximum  diameter  of 
12  to  15  inches  and  a  height  of  about 
50  feet.  Trees  of  maximum  size  ore 
rarely  over  fifty  years  of  age. 


14 


YOSEMITE  NATURE  NOTES 


CALIFORNIA   BLACK   OAK 
Quercus  kelloggii  Newb.  —  Beech  Family  (Fagaceae) 


Park  visitors  should  have  no  diffi- 
culty recognizing  this  tree.  It  is  not 
only  one  of  the  most  distinctive  and 
beautiful  trees  in  the  park,  but  in  its 
resemblance  to  the  eastern  black  oak 
it  possesses  many  of  the  characters 
typical  of  the  oak  group  with  which 
most  people  are  familiar.  It  grows  on 
benches  and  valley  bottoms  in  dry, 
gravelly  to  sandy  soils,  from  3,000 
to  5,000  feet  above  sea  level.  It  is  one 
of  the  most  common  trees  on  the  floor 
of  Yosemite  Valley  where  it  forms 
picturesque  groves  of  great  charm 
and  beauty.  Here  in  autumn  the  rich 
color  of  its  foliage,  which  ranges  from 
tawny  yellow  to  rich  golden  brown, 
is  a  highlight  of  that  season.  Upon 


unfolding  in  the  spring  the  leaves  are 
pink  and  velvety,  soon  changing  to 
a  glossy  green  as  they  develop  to 
about  four  or  five  inches  in  length 
with  the  advent  of  summer.  The  under 
side  of  the  leaves  is  a  lighter  green 
than  the  upper  surface.  They  are 
borne  alternate  on  the  branches, 
are  thin  and  deeply  cleft  into  about 
seven  lobes,  each  with  one  to  four 
bristle-tipped  teeth. 

The  trunk  is  generally  short  and 
massive  and  free  of  limbs  for  only 
about  ten  to  twenty  feet  above  the 
ground.  Large,  heavy  limbs  branch- 
ing from  the  trunk  form  a  broad, 
spreading,  open,  rounded  crown.  The 
bark  on  old  trunks  and  the  base  of 


mm 

& 

^^^^■■mF^ 

"^\ 

1 
i 

4 

i*^ — "i ~ 

1 

S\Hr  1 

Pholo  by    Bruckmtn 


Folidgi-  and  acnrtn  of  black  oak    {huh  st/iiarcs  on  haikgroiinJ) 


BROADLEAVED  TREES  OF  YOSEMITE  NATIONAL  PARK 


15 


large  limbs  is  dark  gray  to  black  in 
color,  hard,  rough,  and  deeply  fur- 
rowed. Small  trees  and  the  outer  por- 
tions of  larger  limbs  are  character- 
ized by  bark  that  is  smooth  and  of  a 
dull  gray-brown  color.  Year  old  twigs 
are  smooth  and  red  to  reddish-brown. 
The  buds  are  alternate  on  the  twigs; 
and,  in  addition,  are  clustered  at  the 
tips,  are  ovoid  to  conical  in  shape 
and  covered  with  numerous  five- 
ranked  scales.  The  leaf  scars,  moder- 
ate to  small  in  size,  are  half  round  in 
outline  and  characterized  by  nearly 
a  dozen  vascular  bundle  scars  ar- 
ranged more  or  less  in  the  form  of  an 
ellipse. 

One  of  the  most  distinctive  features 
of  the  California  black  oak  are  the 
acorns.  These  mature  at  the  end  of 


the  second  season  and  are  produced 
in  abundance  at  intervals  of  from  two 
to  three  years.  They  are  one  to  one 
and  one-half  inches  long,  a  pale 
chestnut  in  color,  and  are  possessed 
of  a  tawny  brown,  scaly  cup. 

Acorns  of  this  tree  served  as  the 
principal  source  of  food  for  the  In- 
dians of  the  area  in  the  early  days. 
They  were  pounded  into  coarse  flour 
by  the  Indian  women.  Numerous 
mortar  rocks,  scattered  about  the  Val- 
ley, are  reminiscent  of  the  original 
residents  of  this  area  since  they  ore 
characterized  by  depressions  brought 
about  by  that  task.  California  black 
oak  acorns  are  still  gathered  and 
utilized  as  food  to  some  extent  by  a 
few  of  the  older  Indian  residents  of 
the  Yosemite  region. 


Pbolo  by  Ansel  Adami 


Oaks  on  floor  of  Yosemite  Valley 


16 


YOSEMITE  NATURE  NOTES 


All  oaks  ore  wind  pollinated.  Thus 
these  trees  are  rendered  conspicuous 
in  the  early  spring  when,  at  about  the 
time  the  leaves  ore  beginning  to  de- 
velop, they  are  festooned  with  numer- 
ous loose,  pendent,  tassel-like  stam- 
inate  catkins  which  bear  the  abund- 
ant pollen. 

Mature  specimens  of  the  California 
black  oak  are  from  75  to  80  feet  tall 
and  one  and  one  half  to  three  feet  in 
diameter.  It  is  a  moderately  long- 
lived  tree,  attaining  an  age  of  about 
300  years.  Large  trunks  of  old  trees, 
however,  are  rarely  sound.  These  are 
generally  characterized  by  decayed 
centers  and  are  often  broken  at  the 
top.     Such   specimens   often    furnish 


nesting  sites  for  California  wood- 
peckers and  occasionally  one  will 
find  a  dead  tree  whose  trunk  and 
larger  branches  serves  as  a  "storage 
bin"  for  these  birds.  In  such  instances 
these  trunks  are  studded  with  holes 
in  which  acorns  hove  been  tightly 
wedged. 

Another  feature  of  interest  relative 
to  the  California  black  oak  is  the 
abundance  of  mistletoe  (Phoraden- 
dron  villosum)  found  in  these  trees. 
This,  a  parasitic  plant,  appears  as 
loose,  bushy  clusters,  one  to  three  feet 
in  diameter,  among  the  branches.  It 
is  particularly  noticeable  during  the 
winter  when  the  tree  is  barren  of 
foliage. 


CANYON    LIVE   OAK 
Quercus  chrysolepis  Liebm.  —  Beech  Family  (Fagaceae) 


This  tree  is  also  known  as  the 
golden  cup  oak  because  of  the  hand- 
some acorns,  one-half  to  one  and 
one-half  inches  in  length,  which  are 
characterized  by  scaly  cups  densely 
covered  with  bright  yellow  wool.  The 
acorns  mature  at  the  end  of  the  sec- 
ond year,  and  while  a  few  are  pro- 
duced annually,  large  crops  are 
common  only  at  infrequent  intervals. 

Several  additional  features  render 
it  of  particular  interest.  It  is  one  of 
the  evergreen  broadleaved  trees  of 
the  Park  and  the  leaves,  which  ore 
alternate  on  the  branches  and  oblong 
in  outline  (about  three  inches  long) 
persist  for  three  or  four  years.  They 
have  a  thick,  leathery  texture,  are 
smooth  and  yellow-green  above,  and 
when  young  are  covered  with  yel- 
lowish down  on  the  underside.  They 


vary  considerably  in  size  and  ap- 
pearance on  trees  of  different  age — 
in  fact  occasionally  on  parts  of  the 
same  tree.  Leaves  of  larger  trees  or 
older  branches  are  generally  smooth 
along  the  margin  but  young  speci- 
m.ens,  particularly  vigorous  shoots, 
bear  foliage  that  has  distinct  spiny 
edges  not  unlike  holly  in  appearance. 
This  feature  causes  many  park  visi- 
tors to  mistake  young  canyon  live 
oaks  for  holly — a  plant  not  found  in 
the  Yosemite  region. 

Mature  specimens  are  generally 
from  thirty  to  sixty  feet  tall  with  a 
short,  heavy  trunk  two  to  three  feet 
in  diameter  characterized  by  dark, 
flaky  bark.  Thick,  heavy  branches 
produce  a  wide  spreading  crown. 
However,  this  tree  varies  widely  in 
size.    In    exposed    locations    at    the 


BROADLEAVED  TREES  OF  YOSEMITE  NATIONAL  PARK 


17 


upper  altitudinal  limits   of  its  range 
it  assumes  a  scrubby  character. 

The  canyon  hve  oak  is  found  be- 
tween the  3,000  and  6,000  foot  eleva- 
tions. It  thrives  in  protected  canyon 
bottoms,  a  fact  responsible  for  its 
common  name,  and  has  a  particular 
affinity  for  the  talus  slopes  and  rock 
slides  bordering  such  places.  It  is 
one  of  the  most  abundant  trees  in 
those  places  about  Yosemite  Valley 
and  will  be  readily  found  along  the 
lower  parts  of  trails  leading  from  the 
Valley  floor  to  the  rim — as  in  the  case 
of  the  Yosemite  Falls  trail,  the  Four 
Mile  Trail  to  Glaciar  Point,  about 
Happy  Isles,  and  along  tV^e  trail  from 
that  point  to  Nevada  Fall. 

It  is  a  slow  growing  but  fairly  long 
lived  tree.  Mature  specimens  attain 
an  age  of  from  200  to  300  years. 


Photo  by  Anderson 

Typical  trunk  of  can  you  live  oak 


PI'olo  by  Brockman 


Foliage  and  acorns  of  canyon  live  oak   {Inch  squares  on  background) 


18 


YOSEMITE  NATURE  NOTES 


INTERIOR    LIVE   OAK 
Quercus  wislizeni  A    DC    —  Beech  Family  (Fagaceae) 


This  species  is  found  in  the  foot- 
hills and  open  valleys  along  the 
western  boundary  of  the  park  up  to 
about  the  2,000  foot  elevation.  It  is  an 
evergreen  tree.  The  foliage  is  dense, 
shiny,  and  of  a  rich  green  color  (yel- 
low green  on  underside),  with  indi- 
vidual leaves  being  from  one  to  three 
inches  long,  of  leathery  texture,  and 
with  the  margins  being  either  entire 
(smooth — not  toothed)  or  character- 
ized by  spiny  teeth.  The  acorns,  one 
to  one  and  one-half  inches  long  at 
maturity,  are  generally  conical,  ta- 
pering at  the  apex,  and  enclosed  at 


the  base  by  reddish-brown,  scaly 
cups.  The  tree  is  usually  from  30  to  50 
feet  tall  and  one  to  three  feet  in  di- 
ameter, with  a  short  trunk  and  wide 
spreading  branches  which  produce 
a  broad,  rounded  crown. 

As  it  is  very  rare  in  Yosemite  Na- 
tional Park  it  will  not  often  be  found 
in  this  area  by  the  average  visitor. 
However,  it  is  abundant  in  the  foot- 
hills to  the  west  and  will  be  readily 
noted  along  the  approach  roads  to 
the  park  which  pass  through  that 
region. 


l-oliagf  and  atoms  of  inferior  liic  oak    (Inch  stfiiarii  on  background) 


BROADLEAVED  TREES  OF  YOSEMITE  NATIONAL  PARK 


19 


BLUE  OAK 
Quercus  douglasii  Hook  &  Arn    —  Beech  Family  (Fagaceae) 


This  tree  is  found  in  the  foothills 
along  the  western  boundcfiy  of 
Yosemite  National  Park  up  to  about 
2000  feet  in  elevation.  It  is  character- 
ized by  the  blue-green  color  of  its 
foliage,  which  accounts  for  its  com- 
mon name,  and  the  smooth  appear- 
ing, light  ash-gray,  flaky  bark.  It  is 
a  small  tree,  averaging  30  to  50  feet 
in  height  and  twelve  to  sixteen  inches 
in  diameter.  The  stout  trunk  bears 
thick  branches  which  form  a  compact 
crown.  The  leaves  are  deciduous, 
dropping  from  the  tree  during  the  fall 
and  winter  of  each  year.    They  are 


two  to  three  inches  long  and  one-half 
to  two  inches  wide,  and  are  quite 
variable  in  form  for  the  margins  are 
either  entire  (not  toothed)  or  sinuately 
lobed  (wavy). 

As  the  blue  oak  is  very  rare  in  the 
park  it  will  not  be  found  by  the  aver- 
age visitor  in  this  area.  Along  the 
roads  in  the  foothills  to  the  west  of  the 
boundary,  however,  it  is  a  common 
tree  and  can  be  readily  noted  as  one- 
approaches  Yosemite  National  Park 
from  any  of  the  principal  nearby 
towns  in  the  San  Joaquin  Valley. 


photo  l'\    Brink  man 


Foliage  and  acorns  of  blue  oak    (Inch  squares  on  backgroiiiij) 


20 


YOSEMITE  NATURE  NOTES 


CALIFORNIA   LAUREL 
Umbellularia  californica  (Hook  &  Am  )  Nutt. — Laurel  Family  (Lauraceae) 


This  tree  is  rendered  distinctive  by 
the  thick,  glossy,  short-stemmed,  ever- 
green leaves  which  exude  a  pene- 
trating, camphor-like  odor  when 
crushed.  The  leaves  are  alternate  on 
the  branches,  three  to  six  inches  long, 
and  from  one-half  to  one  and  one- 
half  inches  wide  at  maturity.  New 
leaves  are  produced  throughout  the 
summer  and  they  persist  on  the  tree 
from  two  to,  occasionally,  six  years. 

In  Yosemite  National  Park  the 
California  laurel,  which  is  also  com- 
monly known  as  pepperwood,  Cali- 
fornia bay,  and  Oregon  myrtle,  is 
quite  common  in  moist,  rocky  soils 
at  the  base  of  cliffs  bordering  canyons 
at  elevations  from  3,000  to  5,000  feet 


above  sea  level.  It  may  be  readily 
noted  along  the  highway  above  the 
Arch  Rock  Entrance  as  well  as  along 
the  lower  portions  of  many  trails 
leading  from  the  Valley  floor  tc  the 
rim. 

It  grows  naturally  along  the  Coast 
Ranges  from  southwestern  Oregon, 
and  inland  from  the  Siskiyous  in 
Oregon  and  the  upper  Sacramento 
Valley  south  along  the  Sierra  to 
southern  California  at  elevations 
varying  from  sea  level  (in  the  north) 
to  4,000  and  5,000  feet.  In  some  ports 
of  this  range,  particularly  in  south- 
western Oregon  where  conditions  are 
suited  to  its  best  development,  it  is 
an   important  broadleaved  tree  and 


Pholo  by  Brockmnn 


Foliage  and  fruit  of  California  laurel   {Inch  squares  on  background) 


BROADLEAVED  TREES  OF  YOSEMITE  NATIONAL  PARK 


21 


may  reach  three  feet  or  more  in  diam- 
eter. However,  in  Yosemite  National 
Park  it  is  a  small  tree.  Here,  although 
larger  specimens  may  be  found,  it  is 
usually  twenty  to  thirty  feet  tall  and 
rarely  more  than  six  inches  in  diam- 
eter with  erect,  slender  branches 
forming  a  loose,  open,  and  narrow 
crown.  It  often  takes  the  form  of  a 
many-stemmed  shrub  ten  to  fifteen 
feet  tall  —  particularly  in  moist, 
shaded  locations  along  streams  in 
protected  canyon  bottoms.  The  bark, 
smooth  on  young  trees  and  scaly  on 
old  trunks,  is  thin  and  varies  from  a 


dull  greenish-brown  to  reddish-brown 
in  color.  Smaller  branches  are  light 
green  in  color. 

Loose  clusters  of  small,  rather  in- 
conspicuous yellow  flowers  appear 
in  the  spring.  The  interesting,  yellow- 
ish-green fruit  —  which  resembles 
a  large  olive  in  appearance  —  is  a 
conspicuous  feature  in  the  late  sum- 
mer and  early  fall.  It  consists  of  a 
large,  thin-shelled,  light  brown  seed 
surrounded  by  a  thick,  fleshy  cover- 
ing. It  is  ripe  about  October,  at  which 
time  it  drops  from  the  tree. 


WESTERN   CHOKECHERRY 

Prunus  virginiona  var.  demissa  (Nutt.)  Torr.  —  Rose  Family  (Rosaceae) 

Although    this    species,    which    is  clusters  of  white  flowers,  or  its  fruit, 

found  up  to  5,500  feet,  is  not  of  great  often   attracts  the  attention   of   Park 

importance  in  the  forests  of  Yosemite  visitors.  In  rich  soil  of  protected  loca- 

National  Park;  its  dense,  elongated  tions   it    occurs    singly    or   in    small 


Pholo  by   Brockman 


Foliage  and  flowers  of   chokecherry    {Inch  squares   on   background) 


22 


YOSEMITE  NATURE  NOTES 


crroups  as  a  slender,  crooked-stem- 
med tree  from  twenty  to  twenty-five 
feet  tall.  In  drier,  less  desirable  situa- 
tions it  sometimes  forms  shrubby 
thickets  four  to  ten  feet  tall. 

Although  new  twigs  are  green, the 
color  of  older  bark  is  a  light  reddish- 
brown  to  gray,  smooth,  except  on 
older  and  larger  trunks,  in  which  case 
it  is  rough  and  irregularly  seamed 
with  reddish-brown  scales.  The 
leaves  which  are  one  to  three  and 
one-half  inches  long  at  maturity  a^e 
thick,  somewhat  leathery,  and  a  deep 
green,  being  shiny  on  the  upper  side 
and  paler  beneath.  The  edges  of  the 
leaves  are  characterized  by  numer- 
ous short  teeth. 


The  attractive  white  flowers,  each 
about  one-half  inch  in  diameter,  are 
borne  in  compact,  cylindrical  clusters 
from  two  to  four  inches  in  length. 
Each  cluster  contains  from  20  to  50 
blossoms  and  on  the  Valley  floor 
they  are  generally  evident  in  June.  By 
late  summer  the  fruit  ripens.  How- 
ever, this  is  eagerly  sought  after  by 
birds  and  so  it  is  generally  devoured 
before  it  is  fully  ripe.  When  mature 
the  fruit  is  characterized  by  a  dark 
purple  color. 

Bruised  twigs,  leaves,  and  the  bark 
of  young  twigs  possesses  a  strong 
characteristic  odor.  The  name  choke- 
cherry  is  derived  from  the  fact  that 
the  fruit  has  an  astringent  after  taste. 


KLAMATH    PLUM 
Prunus  subcordata  Benth    —  Roce  Family  (Rosaceae) 


Although  generally  a  stocky, 
crooked-stemmed  shrub  two  to  ten 
feet  tal:  when  growing  in  poorer  soils, 
this  species  sometimes  attains  tree 
stature  in  locations  suited  to  better 
development.  In  such  cases  it  reach- 
es a  height  of  from  15  to  20  feet  and 
attains  a  diameter  of  from  four  to  six 
inches.  It  does  best  in  sandy,  fertile 
soils  along  stream  borders  and  simi- 
lar moist  situations.  In  the  Yosemite 
region  it  may  be  noted  along  the  road 
in  the  Wawona  area,  about  Big  Mea- 
dows, and  in  the  Hetch  Hetchy  sec- 
tion. 

It  is  characterized  by  a  short,  thic''. 
trunk  having  ashy-brown,  seamed 
bark.  The  limbs  are  heavy,  ext3nd  at 
light  angles  from  the  trunk,  and  pos- 


sess numerous  short,  stubby  twigs. 
Twigs  of  the  season  are  red  to  purple- 
red  in  color  and  are  generally 
smooth.  In  the  spring  the  tree  bears 
white  flowers  about  one-half  inch  in 
diameter,  which  appear  just  before 
or  at  about  the  same  time  as  the 
leaves,  in  loose  clusters  of  two  to  four. 
The  leaves,  when  mature,  are  one  to 
three  inches  long,  almost  circular  in 
outline,  and  with  numerous  small 
teeth  along  the  margin.  The  fruit  is 
tart  but  edible,  a  deep  purple-red  in 
color,  and  about  three-quarters  of  an 
inch  to  one  inch  long.  Enclosed  within 
the  flesh  of  the  fruit  is  a  distinctive 
flat  seed  with  a  thin,  keel-like  edge 
along  one  side  and  a  groove  along 
the  other. 


BROADLEAVED  TREES  OF  YOSEMITE  NATIONAL  PARK 


23 


BIGLEAF   MAPLE 
Acer  macrophyllum  Pursh    —  Maple  Family  (Aceraceae) 


This  common  tree  can  be  readily 
recognized  by  even  the  most  casual 
observer  by  its  large,  characteristic 
leaves.  Although  it  may  be  found  as 
high  as  5,500  feet  in  elevation  in 
Yosemite  National  Park,  it  is  most 
common  between  3,000  and  4,500 
feet  where  it  grows  in  moist,  gravelly 
soils  upon  hillsides,  in  protected  lo- 
cations at  the  base  of  cliffs,  or  in  the 
rich  alluvial  soils  bordering  streams. 
Its  natural  range  includes  an  area 
along  the  Pacific  Coast  from  south- 
eastern Alaska  to  southern  Califor- 
nia. 

Although  it  is  not  exceptionally 
large  as  a  rule,  it  is  a  handsome  tree. 
Mature  specimens  may  attain  a 
maximum  of   80   feet   in  height   ana 


two  to  two  and  one-half  feet  in  di- 
ameter. When  growing  in  the  open 
the  large,  heavy  branches  produce 
a  broad,  spreading,  round-topped 
crown  densely  covered  with  foliage. 
In  less  favorable  situations  it  is  char- 
acterized by  a  more  ragged,  less 
pleasing  appearance.  New  twigs  are 
smooth  and  green,  while  larger  bran- 
ches have  a  pale  grey  or  reddish- 
brown  color.  Gray  to  reddish-brown 
bark  with  hard,  scaly  ridges  charac- 
terize the  trunks  of  larger  trees.  Al- 
though it  grows  rapidly  at  first  its  rate 
of  growth  decreases  with  age.  It 
reaches  maturity  in  about  200  to  300 
years. 

The  foliage  is  unmistakable.  Borne 
on  stems  four  to  six  inches  long,  the 


Photo  by  Brockman 


foliage  and  iccils  of  biglcaf   maple    {Inch  squares  on   background) 


24 


YOSEMITE  NATURE  NOTES 


large  leaves,  which  may  occasionally 
be  more  than  twelve  inches  across, 
ore  especially  noteworthy.  They  are 
borne  opposite  on  the  branches,  are 
smooth  and  shiny  green  above,  pale 
green  below,  and  palmately  divided 
into  five  broad  lobes. 

Although  the  foliage  of  some  of  the 
eastern  maples  assume  vivid  hues 
before  dropping  from  the  tree  in  the 
fall,  such  is  not  the  case  with  this 
western  species.  In  autumn  the  color 
of  its  foliage  is  not  particularly  at- 
tractive, being  generally  character- 
ized by  dull  brownish  to  yellow 
shades.  However,  this  maple  has 
other  interesting  features,  not  the  least 
of  which  are  the  large,  pendent  clus- 
ters (racemes)  of  fragrant  yellow  flow- 
ers which  enliven  the  appearance  of 
the  tree  during  the  early  spring  when 


the  leaves  are  unfolding.  These  clus- 
ters, which  include  both  staminate 
(male)  and  pistillate  (female)  flowers, 
are  from  four  to  six  inches  long.  In- 
sects, which  are  attracted  in  great 
numbers  to  these  flowers,  serve  to 
pollinate  the  blossoms.  The  charac- 
teristic fruit — a  pair  of  nut-like  seeds, 
each  attached  to  a  large  blade-like 
wing — is  fully  developed  by  luly.  At 
that  time  they  are  about  one  to  two 
inches  long.  Their  green  color,  typical 
of  midsummer,  changes  to  a  light 
brown  in  the  early  fall. 

The  bigleaf  maple  can  be  recog- 
nized in  winter  by  the  stout  twigs  with 
their  opposite  leaf  scars.  The  leaf 
SCOTS  ore  rather  large,  V-shaped  or  U- 
shaped  in  outline,  upon  which  are 
from  five  to  nine  vascular  bundle 
scars. 


ROCKY   MOUNTAIN   MAPLE 
Acer  glabrum  Torr.  —  Maple  Family  (Aceraceae) 


Although  this  species  will  be  most 
generally  noted  as  a  tall  shrub,  the 
Rocky  Mountain  or  dwarf  maple  oc- 
casionally attains  the  stature  of  a 
small  tree,  reaching  a  height  of  ten 
to  fifteen  feet  and  a  diameter  of  three 
to  four  inches.  It  generally  occurs  in 
moist  but  poor  gravelly  to  rocky  soils 
in  protected  canyons  and  gulches  up 
to  about  the  7,000  foot  elevation.  Hik- 
ers using  the  Ledge  Trail  will  find  it 
common  in  such  situations  along  that 
route. 

The  leaves,  borne  opposite  on  the 
branches,  have  slender  stems  one  to 
five  inches  long,  are  one  to  three  in- 


ches across,  rather  conspicuously 
veined,  and  are  dork  green  and  shiny 
upon  the  upper  surface  (paler  below). 
They  are  three  (occasionally  five) 
lobed,  with  the  edges  oi  the  lobes 
coarsely  toothed.  The  stems  of  the 
leaves  are  occasionally  red. 

The  winged  seeds,  which  are  about 
one  inch  in  length,  are  borne  in  pairs. 
Before  maturity  they  are  a  bright 
rose-red  in  color,  changing  to  russet- 
brown  before  they  ripen  in  late  sum- 
mer or  early  fall. 

The  trunk  possesses  smooth,  red- 
dish-brown bark  with  a  slight  gray 
tint.  Mature  twigs  are  reddish-brown. 


BROADLEAVED  TREES  OF  YOSEMITE  NATIONAL  PARK 


25 


PACIFIC    DOGWOOD 
Cornus  nuftalli  Audubon  —  Dogwood  Family  (Cornaceae) 


This  is  one  of  the  most  attractive 
of  Yosemite  trees.  Its  beauty  in  the 
spring,  when  it  is  characterized  by 
grecrt  numbers  of  large,  showy, 
cream-white  blossoms,  vies  with  its 
attractiveness  in  the  fall.  At  the  latter 
season  it  is  outstanding  because  cl 
the  brilliance  of  its  crimson  foliaga 
and  clusters  of  shiny  red  seeds.  It 
has  long  been  a  highlight  of  interest 
in  Yosemite  National  Park  at  those 
times,  and  many  people  make  spec- 
ial trips  to  this  area  on  such  occas- 
ions primarily  to  enjoy  the  colorful 
spring  and  fall  dogwood  display. 

Although  it  is  occasionally  fouM/J 
as  high  as  7,000  feet  it  is  most  gen- 
erally noted  at  lower  elevations.  It  is 
partial  to  moist,  well-drained  soils  of 
mountain  slopes  and  protected  loca- 


tions in  valley  bottoms.  One  will  note 
it  in  abundance  along  the  Wawona 
Road,  and  along  the  Big  Oak  Flat 
Road,  as  well  as  in  many  sections  of 
Yosemite  Valley.  In  the  latter  place 
it  can  be  most  readily  found  about 
Happy  Isles,  in  the  vicinity  of  Fern 
Springs,  and  about  the  Pohono 
Bridge. 

The  Pacific  dogwood  is  not  a  large 
tree.  Mature  specimens  attain  a 
height  of  from  twenty  to  fifty  feet  and 
a  diameter  of  from  ten  to  twenty  in- 
ches. The  trunk  is  generally  straight 
and  characterized  by  smooth,  thin, 
dull  gray  bark.  The  crown  is  narrow 
and  is  composed  of  short  branches. 
As  it  is  intolerant  of  dense  shade  the 
crown,  when  the  tree  is  growing  in 
the  dense  forest,  is  short  while  the 
trunk  is  long  and  clear. 


Photo  by  Brockman 


Foliage  and   flowers  of  dogwood    {Jiich  squares    on   background ) 


26 


YOSEMITE  NATURE  NOTES 


The  leaves  are  borne  opposite  up- 
on the  branches.  They  are  from  three 
to  five  inches  long  with  the  midvein 
and  its  branches  conspicuously  im- 
pressed upon  the  upper  side.  Numer- 
ous small,  greenish-white  flowers  are 
borne  in  button-like  clusters  which 
are  about  one  and  one-half  inches  in 
diameter.  These  are  surrounded  by 
four  to  six  showy,  cream-white  scales 
or  bracts,  often  improperly  regarded 
as  "petals" — the  entire  flower  cluster 
being  thus  considered  as  one  flower. 
However,  this  is  not  the  case.  As 
stated,  the  flowers — possessing  only 
stamens  and  pistils — are  clustered  in 
the  center  'button."  The  showy  scales 
which  surround  the  flower  cluster  are, 
like  the  flower  cluster,  partially  form- 
ed during  the  previous  summer. 
They  remain  in  this   state  until  the 


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iflPip^^H 

d'fl 

H 

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^^^^^^j^m^^^L 

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Phulo  by   Broikman 

Foliage   and   fruit   of   dogwood 
(Inch   squares   on  background) 


Vboto  by  AnitTion 

Pacific  dogwood  in  early  spring 

following  spring  when  they  develop 
fully  along  with  the  flowers. 

These  showy,  cream-white  scales 
soon  wither  and  drop  from  the  tree 
and  by  midsummer  the  formation  of 
the  seeds,  which  vary  from  twenty- 
five  to  forty  per  cluster,  is  well  ad- 
vanced. Although  green  at  first,  they 
change  to  a  brilliant  red  by  fall  — 
usually  in  October. 

The  natural  range  of  this  attractive 
tree  includes  a  considerable  area  of 
the  Pacific  west  —  from  Vancouver 
Island  and  the  Eraser  River  valley  in 
British  Columbia  south  through  west- 
ern Washington  and  Oregon  to  the 
San  Bernardino  Mountains  of  south- 
ern California — as  well  as  along  the 
west  slope  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  be- 
tween 4,000  and  5,000  feet  above  sea 
level. 


BROADLEAVED  TREES  OF  YOSEMITE  NATIONAL  PARK 


27 


CALIFORNIA   BUCKEYE 

Aesculus  californica  (Spach.)  Nutt    —  Horse  chestnut  Family 

(Hippocastanaceae) 


Being  native  to  the  upper  Sonoran 
Zone  (1,000  to  2,500  feet),  this  tree  is 
found  only  occasionally  within  park 
boundaries.  It  may  be  noted  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  Arch  Rock  Entrance 
and  at  points  along  the  western  park 
boundary  to  Hetch  Hetchy.  Motorists 
journeying  to  the  park  will  note  nu- 
nnerous  specimens  along  the  high- 
way bordering  the  Merced  Canyon  to 
a  point  in  the  vicinity  of  El  Portal, 
along  the  road  from  Fresno  to  a  point 
above  Coarse  Gold,  and  in  places 
along  highway  No.  120. 

While  it  often  occurs  as  a  shrub. 


ten  to  twenty  feet  tall  with  several 
stems  arising  from  a  common  root, 
it  also  attains  the  stature  of  a  small 
tree  up  to  twenty  five  feet  tall  and  a 
diameter  of  from  eight  to  twenty  in- 
ches. Its  foliage,  flowers,  and  fruit  ore 
all  distinctive  and  these  fecrtures  en- 
able one  to  identify  it  quickly  and 
easily. 

The  large,  long  stemmed  leaves 
which  are  borne  opposite  upon  the 
branches  are  palmately  compound, 
generally  with  five  but  occasionally 
with  four  to  seven  leaflets,  each  from 
three  to  seven  inches  long.  When  ma- 


Photo  by  Anderson 


California  buckeye  in  fall  with  distinctive  fruit 


28 


YOSEMITE  NATURE  NOTES 


ture  they  are  bright  green  and 
smooth  except  for  minute  hairs  in  the 
angle  of  the  veins  on  the  pale  under 
surface.  The  edges  of  the  leaflets  are 
characterized  by  numerous  teeth. 

In  the  spring  this  tree  is  conspicu- 
ous because  of  its  showy  flowers. 
These  vary  in  color  from  white  to 
a  delicate  pink  and  are  produced  in 
large,  erect  clusters  up  to  six  inches 
long.  It  is  also  conspicuous  in  the  fal' 
after  the  foliage  has  been  shed.  At 
that  time  the  large,  green,  pear-shap- 
ed fruit,  two  to  three  inches  long,  can 
be  seen  hanging  from  the  tips  of  the 
branches.  Closer  examination  will 
reveci  that  the  fruit  consists  of  a 
large,  glossy  brown  seed,  sometimes 


nearly  two  inches  across,  enclosed 
in  a  thin  husk  of  leathery  texture 
which  splits  open  upon  maturity. 
Only  rarely  is  more  than  one  buck- 
eye enclosed  within  one  husk. 

Although  considerable  effort  was 
required  in  the  preparation  of  the 
buckeye  as  a  food  due  to  its  bitter 
taste,  it  was  so  used  on  occasion  by 
the  Indians  which  inhabited  the  lo- 
wer foothills.  This  was  particularly 
the  case  at  times  when  the  acorn  crop 
failed.  In  addition  the  soft,  light,  close 
grained  wood  was  utilized,  after  care- 
ful seasoning,  by  the  Indians  in  the 
preparation  of  equipment  for  mcV:ing 
fire  by  friction. 


Ph^h,    hy     ,\,,J,r,n„ 


North  Donir  anj  the  MerccJ  Rncr  in  Winter 


BROADLEAVED  TREES  OF  YOSEMITE  NATIONAL  PARK 


29 


OREGON   ASH 
Fraxinus  oregona  Nutt    —  Olive  Fomily  (Oleoceae) 


This  is  a  rare  tree  in  the  Yosemite 
region  and  it  will  probably  not  b3 
noted  within  park  boundaries  by  the 
average  visitor.  However,  it  is  occas- 
ionally found  along  the  western 
boundary  in  the  vicinity  of  El  Portal, 
and  may  be  seen  along  the  All  Yea'- 
Highway  in  that  area,  growing  iv. 
moist  soils  along  streams. 

It  is  usually  a  crooked  tree  and 
rarely  attains  a  size  greater  than 
twenty-five  feet  in  height  and  six  to 
ten  inches  in  diameter.  The  bark  is 
thick  and  soft,  deeply  furrowed  and 


grayish-brown  in  color.  The  leaves 
are  opposite  on  the  branches,  six  to 
twelve  inches  long  and  compound — 
with  from  five  to  seven  leaflets.  These 
leaflets  are  each  from  one-half  to 
one  and  one-half  inches  wide,  oval 
in  outline  and  often  toothed  above  the 
middle. 

Male  and  female  flowers  are  borne 
on  separate  trees  and  appear  before 
the  leaves.  The  fruit,  consisting  of  a 
small  seed  with  an  elongated  wing, 
is  borne  in  clusters  and  is  from  one 
to  two  inches  long. 


Photo  by   Brockman 


Foliage  and  seeds  of  ash    (Inch  squares  on  background) 


30 


YOSEMITE  NATURE  NOTES 


INTRODUCED  TREES   IN   YOSEMITE   NATIONAL   PARK 


Visitors  to  Yosemite  National  Park 
will  note  a  number  of  interesting  trees 
which  were  planted  in  the  early  days 
before  this  area  became  a  national 
park  (1)  and  which,  although  they 
are  not  native  to  this  area,  have  been 
allowed  to  remain  because  of  their 
association  with  the  early  history  of 
the  region.  In  this  category  fall  the 
American  elm,  the  black  locust,  and 
sugar  maple,  found  in  a  number  of 
places  on  the  Valley  floor,  as  well  as 
several  kinds  of  fruit  trees. 

The  latter  are,  perhaps,  the  most 
conspicuous  and  best  known  of  these 
introduced  trees.  With  few  exceptions 
they  are  apple  trees  and,  insofar  as 
the  valley  is  concerned,  are  contain- 
ed primarily  in  three  orchards  (2). 
One  of  these  is  included  within  the 
parking  area  near  Camp  Curry,  a 
second  will  be  noted  in  the  meadow 
just  east  of  the  Yosemite  Park  and 
Curry  Co.  stables,  and  a  third  is  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  Yosemite  Park  and 
Curry  Co.  utility  area  near  the  road 
between  Yosemite  Lodge  and  Gov- 
ernment Center. 

The  first  two  orchards  were  planted 
by  James  C.  Lamon,  the  first  settler 


in  Yosemite  Valley.  He  arrived  here 
in  June  1859,  located  a  pre-emption 
claim  of  160  acres  in  the  fall  of  that 
year  and  built  a  small  cabin  of  logs 
near  the  present  Yosemite  Park  and 
Curry  Co.  stables.  His  two  orchards 
were  planted  soon  after.  Today  they 
are  composed  almost  entirely  of  ap- 
ple trees,  although  one  pear  tree  can 
be  found  in  the  orchard  near  the 
stables.  Apparently,  in  the  early  days 
they  contained  plum  and  peach  trees 
as  well  (3).  The  orchard  near  the 
Company  utility  area  was  planted  by 
James  Mason  Hutchings  whc  had  re- 
turned to  the  Valley  in  1 864  as  a  hotel 
owner  (4).  This  orchard  adjoined  his 
residence,  which  he  constructed  on 
the  north  side  of  Yosemite  Valley  a 
few  years  later.  Although  the  Hutch- 
ings residence  was  eliminated  many 
years  ago  the  orchard  still  remains. 
It  consists  mostly  of  apple  trees,  but 
a  few  cherry  trees  will  also  be  found. 
Hutchings  also  planted  a  row  of 
American  elms  along  the  route  of  the 
present  road  that  crosses  the  mead- 
ow north  of  the  present  Sentinel 
Bridge.  These  were  grown  from  seed 
supplied  by  Rev.   Joseph  Worcester 


(1)  The  Yosemite  Valley  area  and  the  Mariposa  Grove  of  Giant  Sequoias — originally  known 
as  the  Yosemite  Grant—  was  entrusted  to  the  State  of  California  by  the  Federal  Government  in 
1864.  Yosemite  National  Park,  which  included  an  area  surrounding  Yosemite  Valley,  was 
established  on  October  1,  1890.  In  1906  the  two  areas  comprising  the  original  Yosemite  Grant 
were  receded  to  the  Federal  Government  by  the  State  and  incorporated  into  Yosemite  National 
Park. 

(2)  Apple  trees  will  also  be  noted  in  the  Wawona  area.  According  to  Mr.  Ed.  Gordon,  old 
time  Wawona  resident,  the  apple  orchard  in  that  section  was  planted  in  the  early  days  of 
George  Conway.  In  addition  to  the  orchard  a  few  apple  trees  will  be  found  in  the  rear  of  the 
Wawona  hotel,  as  well  as  in  the  vicinity  of  the  spring  west  of  the  meadow.  These  were  planted 
by  the  Washburn  Brothers  about  sixty  year  ago. 

(3)  See  Taylor,  Mrs.  H.  J.  Yosemite  Indians  and  Other  Sketches;  San  Francisco,  California, 
Johnck  and  Seeger,  1936.  pp.  15-26. 


BROADLEAVED  TREES  OF  YOSEMITE  NATIONAL  PARK 


31 


of  Waltham,  Massachusetts  (5).  Of 
these  trees  only  one  remains.  It  can 
be  found  near  the  road  intersection 
on  the  north  side  of  the  Valley  oppo- 
site the  Sentinel  Bridge. 

American  elms  as  well  as  black 
locusts  will  also  be  noted  in  the  Old 
Village.  Trees  of  the  latter  species 
will  also  be  found  in  the  pioneer  cem- 
etery (near  the  Park  Museum),  in  the 
vicinity  of  Camp  Curry,  and  along 
the  highway  near  the  start  of  the 
Four  Mile  Trail.  The  black  locusts  in 
the  latter  place  are  reminders  of  the 
period  in  Yosemite  history  when  that 
area  was  an  important  public  center 
in  the  Valley  (6).  In  addition  two 
sugar  maples  will  be  found  in  the 
Old  Village  just  east  of  the  general 
store  (7). 

photo  by   Anderson 
American  din  uiij  hhuk  Iih  usf  in  Old  Village 

(4)  In  June  1855  James  Mason  Hutchings,  contemplating  the  publication  of  his  "California 
Magazine,"  visited  Yosemite  Valley  with  several  companions — among  them  the  artist  Thomas 
Ayres — for  the  purpose  of  gathering  data  and  making  sketches  for  publication.  This  is  credited 
with  being  the  first  "tourist  visit"  to  the  Valley,  since  it  was  prompted  wholly  by  interest  in  its 
scenic  values.  Several  earlier  journeys  had  been  made  to  the  region  but  the  principal  interest 
in  such  cases  had  been  that  of  pursuing  Indians,  following  the  Indian  trouble  of  1850-51,  or 
prospecting.  It  was  from  the  meager  reports  of  these  earlier  expeditions  that  Hutchings'  interest 
was  aroused. 

From  the  time  of  his  first  visit  Hutchings  always  had  a  deep  affection  for  Yosemite.  In  1864 
he  purchased  the  "Upper  Hotel"  (constructed  by  Beardsley  and  Hite  in  1857-59),  which  was 
located  on  the  south  side  of  the  road  opposite  the  present  Sentinel  Bridge,  and  rechristened  it 
"Hutchings  House."  It  was  later  to  become  famous  as  Cedar  Cottage,  a  name  applied  due  to 
the  fact  that  one  of  the  many  additions  to  the  original  structure  was  constructed  about  a  large 
California  incense  cedar.  See  Russell,  C.  P.  100  Years  in  Yosemite;  Stanford  University  Press; 
1931.  pp.  99-125. 

(5)  See  Hutchings,  J.  M.  In  The  Heart  of  the  Sierras; 
land,  California;    1886,  pp.  134-138. 


Pacific  Press  Publishing  House,  Oak- 


(6)  In  1856  Walworth  and  Hite  undertook  the  construction  of  the  first  building  designed  to 
serve  the  needs  of  early  visitors  to  Yosemite  Valley.  It  occupied  a  site  at  the  base  of  Sentinel 
Rock  near  the  start  of  the  present  Four  Mile  Trail  to  Glacier  Point.  Completed  in  1857,  it  thus 
became  the  first  hotel  in  this  area.  In  1869  this  original  structure  was  dismantled  by  A.  G.  Black 
w^ho  utiUzed  the  site  in  the  construction  of  a  new  hotel.  In  the  same  year  G.  F.  Leidig  constructed 
another  hotel  nearby.  Originally  the  Yosemite  Chapel,  built  in  1879,  occupied  a  place  in  this 
area,  and  the  Guardian  of  the  Yosemite  Grant  was  located  here  for  a  time.  In  1888  all  these 
buildings  were  razed,  with  the  exception  of  the  Chapel  which  was  moved  to  its  present  site  in 
the  Old  Village. 

(7)  These  trees  mark  the  site  of  the  photographic  studio,  operated  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  T. 
Boysen,  which  was  located  at  that  point  for  many  years.  From  information  received  from  Mrs. 
Ellen  St.  Clair — daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Boysen — these  trees  were  planted  in  1902,  1903,  or 
1904  from  stock  received  from  Vermont. 


32 


YOSEMITE  NATURE  NOTES 


These  "outsiders"  of  the  original 
generation  remain  among  the  natives 
by  sufferance.  It  is  the  policy  of  the 
National  Park  Service  to  eliminate  in 
so  far  as  possible  all  exotic  plants  and 
animals  which  may  gain  a  foothold 
in  the  national  parks,  but  these  living 
relics  of  pioneer  days  in  Yosem!t3 
Valley  may  remain  until  Nature  deals 
the  inevitable  death  blow.  They  w  1' 


not  be  replaced  except  by  their  scat- 
tered progeny  which  may  escape  the 
watchful  eye  of  the  forester.  In  time, 
even  the  scattered  progeny  will  suc- 
cumb to  Nature's  control. 

For  those  visitors  who  may  wish  to 
seek  and  identify  the  American  elm, 
the  black  locust,  and  the  sugar  maple 
in  Yosemite  Valley,  a  description  of 
these  species  follows. 


AMERICAN    ELM 
Ulmus  amsricana  L    —  Elm  Family  (Ulmaceae) 


This  is  one  of  the  most  noble  and 
stately  of  native  American  trees.  Its 
natural  range  includes  a  large  part 
of  the  eastern  United  States  and  Can- 
ada —  from  Newfoundland  south  to 
central  Florida,  and  westward  to 
Manitoba  and  eastern  Texas.  It  is 
one  of  the  most  familiar  of  trees  in 
the  New  England  states,  and  it  was 


from  that  region  (Massachusetts)  that 
the  seed  which  was  planted  by  Hut- 
chings  was  secured.  (See  page  30). 
Since  it  grows  best  in  rich,  moist, 
alluvial  soil  in  its  native  habitat,  it 
found  in  Yosemite  Valley  a  suitable 
environment.  Many  of  the  trees 
planted  here  now  ore  quite  large  and 
comoare    favorably    with    those 


Vi.ulu  by    Bru.k 


loliunc  and  Mills  of  American  dm    (Inch  squares  on  backf^rininil) 


BROADLEAVED  TREES  OF  YOSEMITE  NATIONAL  PARK 


33 


in  the  east.  Local  elms  are  one  and 
one-half  to  two  and  one-half  feet  in 
diameter  and  from  fifty  to  seventy- 
five  feet  tall.  The  trunk,  character- 
ized by  dark,  ash-gray  bark,  divided 
into  numerous  flaky  ridges,  separate:: 
into  several  large  branches,  ten  to 
fifteen  feet  above  the  ground,  to  form 
a  tall,  graceful,  vase-like  crown.  The 
flowers  are  produced  in  abundance 
in  loose  clusters,  usually  early  in 
May,  and  the  seeds  are  fully  ripened 
before  the  leaves  are  completely 
formed.  The  seeds  are  small,  flat, 
and  completely  surrounded  by  a  thin, 
papery  wing — seed  and  wing  being 
about  one-half  to  three-quarters  of  an 


inch  in  diameter.  In  the  late  spring 
they  are  found  in  great  abundance  on 
the  ground  in  the  vicinity  of  these 
trees. 

The  deep  green  leaves  are  alter- 
nate on  the  branches,  oblong  in  out- 
line (about  three  to  five  inches  long 
and  one  to  five  inches  wide),  tapering 
to  a  point  at  the  apex.  They  appear 
lopsided  due  to  the  inequilateral  na- 
ture of  the  base  and  are  coarsely  and 
doubly  toothed  along  the  margins. 
Prominent  veins  extend  from  mid-rib 
to  the  leaf  margin.  Their  upper  sur- 
face is  coarse  and  rough  to  the  touch, 
while  underneath  they  are  smooth 
but  slightly  hairy. 


Photo  by  Amct  Adams 

Yosciiiifc  (,7).'(/)i  /  jii  OlJ   \'illay,r.  Location  of  nintirroiis  introduced  trees. 


34 


YOSEMITE  NATURE  NOTES 


BLACK    LOCUST 
Robinia  pseudoacacia  L.  —  Pea  Family  (Leguminosae) 


Although  native  primarily  to  the 
Appalachian  Mountain  area,  this  tree 
has  been  widely  planted  throughout 
many  parts  of  the  United  States. 
Yosemite  Valley  was  no  exception 
and  those  planted  here  during  the 
early  days  are  now  good  sized  trees. 
They  vary  from  six  to  fifteen  inches 
in  diameter  and,  in  some  cases,  are 
from  fifty  to  sixty  feet  high. 

The  black  locust  can  be  easily  rec- 
ognized by  the  alternate,  odd-pinnat- 
ely  compound  leaves,  which  are 
from  eight  to  fourteen  inches  long, 
and  which  bear  seven  to  nineteen 
sub-opposite  rounded  leaflets,  each 
one  and  one-half  to  two  inches  long. 


As  this  tree  is  a  member  of  the 
Leguminosae  or  pea  family  its  flow- 
ers and  seed  pods  are  characteristic 
of  that  group  of  plants.  The  handsome 
white  clusters  of  pea-like  flowers  ap- 
pear on  the  trees  in  June.  Seeds, 
borne  in  elongated,  dark  brown, 
bean-like  pods  which  are  two  to  four 
inches  long,  are  mature  by  late  sum- 
mer or  early  fall. 

The  trunk  of  this  tree  is  short,  di- 
viding but  a  little  way  above  the 
ground  into  a  number  of  stout  branch- 
es to  form  an  open  crown.  The  bark 
is  dark  reddish-brown  in  color  and 
deeply  fissured — the  numerous  ridges 
having    a    characteristic    twisted    or 


Pholo  by   Brockman 


tolijgc  and  floucrs  of  black  locust    {Inch  squares   on  background) 


BROADLEAVED  TREES  OF  YOSEMITE  NATIONAL  PARK  35 


"ropev"  ctppeorance.   The  branches     numerous     stout,     short     spines     or 
are  characterized  by  the  presence  of     prickles. 


SUGAR   MAPLE 
Acer  saccharum  Marsh  —  Maple  Family  (Aceraceae) 


This  is  an  important  tree  of  the 
eastern  states.  It  is,  perhaps,  best 
known  for  the  maple  syrup  which  is 
derived  from  the  sap  taken  from  the 
trees  in  certain  sections  of  its  natural 
range  —  particularly  in  the  "sugar 
bush"  of  New  England.  The  two 
specimens  of  sugar  maple  found  in 
Yosemite  Valley  have  not  been  so 
used. 

While  the  locally  introduced  sugar 
maples  can  be  readily  identified  as 
maples  due  to  the  distinctive  foliage, 
they  are  rarely  recognized  as  distinct 
from  the  bigleaf  maple  which  is  na- 
tive to  this  region  and  which  is  pres- 
ent here  in  relative  abundance  (see 
page  23).  These  two  species  are  su- 
perficially alike  in  general  appear- 
ance, the  principal  differences  be- 
tween the  two  being  found  in  the 
leaves  and  the  flowers.  Although 
having  relatively  the  same  form,  the 
leaves  of  the  sugar  maple  are  con- 
siderably smaller  —  being  a  maxi- 
mum of  from  three  to  five  inches  in 
width  as  compared  to  the  much 
larger  sized  leaves  of  the  bigleaf 
maple.  The  flowers  of  the  sugar 
maple  (greenish  yellow  and  appear- 
ing at  the  same  time  as  the  leaves) 
are  borne  in  corymbs,  that  is  in  loose 
clusters  with  the  long  stems  of  the 
flowers  having  a  common  point  of 


Photo  by  AiiJenoii 

Tin  Ilk  dcttiil  of  siifiiir  iiial'lc 

attachment  on  the  twig.  This  arrange- 
ment is  quite  different  from  that  of 
the  bigleaf  maple — its  flowers  are  in 
racemes,  elongated  clusters  with  the 
flowers  being  borne  upon  short  stems 
attached  to  a  central  axis. 

The  two  sugar  maples  found  just 
east  of  the  general  store  were  planted 
about  1902,  1903  or  1904.  They  ore 
about  fourteen  inches  in  diameter 
and  fifty  feet  tall. 


36 


YOSEMITE  NATURE  NOTES 


5  6  7  8 

From    UcMinn    aiiJ   Maiiio:    Pacific   CoasI    Trees.    Courtesy    of    the   Uniiersily    of    California    Prea 

Parts,  kinds,  arrangements,  and  venation  of  leaves 

1.  Stem  with  simple  alternate  leaf,  uith  iictteJ  leiiation;  b,  hud;  bl,  blade;  p,  petiole;  s,  stipules.  2.  Stem 
with  opposite,  palmately  veined  and  lohed  leaies.  3.  Pinnately  compound  leaf;  1,  leaflet;  p,  petiole; 
pt,  petiolule;  r,  rachis.  4.  palmately  compound  leaf.  5.  Simple  leaf  uith  parallel  lenation.  6.  Fascicled 
leaves;  s,  sheath.     7.  Stem   uith   whorled  leaves.      8.  Strainht-veined  leaf. 


12  3  4  5  6  7 

from    McMinn    anj   Maino:    Pacific    Coait    Trrti.    Courtesy    of   the   University    of    California    Press 


Margins   of    Leaves 

1.  r.ntire.     2.  Serrate.      3.  Dentate.     4.  Crenate.      S.    Sintm/e.      6.    Pinnately  lobed.     J.Palmalely   lohed. 


BROADLEAVED  TREES  OF  YOSEMITE  NATIONAL  PARK  37 


FIELD  KEY  TO  THE  BROADLEAVED  TREES  OF 
YOSEMITE  NATIONAL  PARK 

This  key  considers  only  the  gross  characters  of  trees  in  question  which  can  be  readily  noted 
by  the  layman.  It  is  of  the  dichotomous  type  (regularly  branching  in  pairs).  Beginning  with  No.  1 
on  the  left  one  merely  selects  the  character  which  fits  the  tree  which  is  being  studied.  One  is  thus 
referred  to  the  next  pair  of  possibilities  by  the  number  noted  on  the  right.  Continuing  in  that 
manner  the  observer  finally  eliminates  successive  distinguishing  characters  until  the  identity 
of  the  tree  noted  is  given. 


1.  Leaves    alternate    2 

1.  Leaves   opposite 14 

2.  Foliage  evergreen    3 

2.  Foliage   deciduous   5 

3.  Margins  of  leaves  not  toothed;  leaves  with  pungent  odor  when  crushed.  Fruit  green  and 

olivG-like    

California  laurel  (see  page  20) 

3.  Margin  of  leaves  often  toothed  and  holly-like  in  appearance;  fruit  an  acorn  4 

4.  Cup  of   acorn  covered   with  bright   yellow    "wool."   Found   from    3,000    to   6,000   ft.; 

common  in  rocky  soils  bordering  cliffs  

Canyon  live  oak  (see  page   16) 

4.  Cup  of  acorn  not  wooly  but  scaly;  acorn  conical.    Found  up  to  2,000  ft.;   very  rare 

in  park  

Interior  live  oak  (see  page  18) 

5.  Leaves  pinnately  compound  with  from  7  to  19  subopposite  rounded  leaflets;  flowers  white, 
in  clusters  and  pealike;   fruit  a  pod  with  several  seeds;    twigs  with   short  spines.     An 

introduced  tree    

Black  locust  (see  page  34) 

5.   Leaves    simple,   not    compound 6 

6.  Leaves  large  and  deeply  cleft  into  about  seven  lobes,  each  with  four  bristle-tipped 

points;    fruit   an    acorn 

California  black  oak  (see  page  14) 

6.  Leaves  not  deeply  cleft 7 

7.  Margin  of  leaves  not  toothed  or  sinuately  lobed  (wavy).  Fruit  an  acorn.  Found  occasionally 

up  to  2,000  ft.;  very  rare  in  park  

Blue  oak  (see  page   19) 

7.   Fruit  not  an  acorn  and  foliage  not  as  described  above  8 

8.  Leaves  narrow  and  elongated  Willows  (see  page  6) 

8.  Leaves  not  as  noted  above  9 

9.  Leaves  more  or  less  triangular  in  outline;   broadest  at  base  and  tapering  to  a  point  at 
apex    10 

9.  Leaves  not  as  noted  above;   either  ovate,  oblong,  or  round  in  outline 11 

10.  Leaves  large,  2  to  7  inches  long,  margins  finely  toothed,  thick  and  leathery  in  tex- 
ture, shiny  green  above  and  pale  green  to  silvery  beneath.  Bark  heavily  ridged 
and  dark  gray  on  large  trunks;  pale  gray  on  young  trees.  Common  in  moist  soils  up 

to   4,500    feet 

Black  Cottonwood  (see   page   7) 

10.  Leaves  IV2  to  3  inches  long,  roundly  tapering  to  a  point  at  the  apex;  margin  of  leaf 
with  small  teeth;  stem  or  petiole  of  leaf  long  and  flattened  from  the  side,  causing 
foliage  to  flutter  in  slightest  breeze.  Bark  generally  smooth  and  white.  Not  found 

below  5,000  feet  - 

Quaking  aspen  (see  page  9) 


38 


YOSEMITE  NATURE  NOTES 


8  9  10  11  12 

From    MiMinn    anj   Mjitio:    Pucilii-    Coast    Trees.    Courtesy    of   the   Uniiersity    of    Californij    Press 

Shopes  of  leaves 

1.  Scale-like.     2.  Awl-shaped.     l.Linear.     4.   Lanceolate.      J.  Oblong.     6.  Elliptic.     7.  Oval.     8.  Orbi- 
ctilar.     9.  Oiate.      10.  Cordate.      II.   Oblanceolate.    \2.  Obovate. 


7  8  9  10  11 

from    McMinrt   and  Maino:    Pjtific    Coast    Trees.    Courtesy    of   the   University    of    California    Press 

Tips  and  bases  of  leaves 

1.   Acuminate.     2.  Acute.     ).  Obtuse.     4.   Truncate.       5.    Etuarginatc.      6.    Mucronate.      7.    Rounded. 
8.  Cordate  or  heart-shaped.     9.  Auriculatc.     10.  Oblique  or  unequal.      11.  Cuneate  or  uedge-shaped. 


BROADLEAVED  TREES  OF  YOSEMITE  NATIONAL  PARK  39 


11.  Leaves  circular  or  almost  so;  margin  with  small  teeth.  Attractive  white  flowers  approxi- 
mately one  inch  in  diameter.  Fruit  (^^  to  1  inch  long)  deep  purple-red  in  color  and  tart 

to   taste  

Klamath    plum    (see    page    22) 

11.  Leaves  not  circular  but  ovate  (widest  below  middle)  or  oblong  in  outline  12 

12.  Margin  of  leaves  coarsely  toothed;  prominent  veins  extending  to  leaf  margins 13 

12.  Margin  of  leaves  finely  toothed;   leaves  oblong  in  outline.  White  flowers  (in  spring) 

borne  in  compact,  elongated  clusters.  Fruit  a  blackish  berry 

Western  chokecherry  (see  page  21) 

13.  Leaves  ovate  in  outline  (1  to  2  inches  wide,  2  to  3  inches  long).  Staminate  flowers,  com- 
mon in  spring,  in  elongated  pendent,  tassel-like  catkins.  Seeds  borne  in  small,  distinctive, 
green  (black  after  maturity)  "cones."  Bark  steel  gray  in  color  and  usually  smooth.  Common 

along  streams   

White  alder  (see  page   12) 

13.  Leaves  oblong  in  outline  (1  to  3  inches  wide,  3  to  5  inches  long),  doubly  toothed  on  mar- 
gin, and  lopsided  at  base.  Flowers  produced  in  loose  clusters  before  unfolding  of  leaves. 
Seeds  flat  and  entirely  surrounded  by  thin,  papery  wing.  Bark  dark  gray   and   ridged. 

An  introduced  tree    

American  elm  (see  page  32) 

14.  Leaves    compound    15 

14.  Leaves   not    compound    16 

15.  Leaves  palmately  compound  with  five  to  seven  leaflets,  each  three  to  seven  inches  long. 
Flowers  in  showy,  white,  elongated  clusters.  Fruit  a  buckeye.  Rare  in  park  but  common 

along  approach  roads  to  park  from  San  Joaquin  Valley 

California  buckeye  (see  page  27) 

15.  Leaves  pinnately  compound.  Seeds  with  elongated  wings,  borne  in  bunches.  Very  rare  in 
park  but  found  along  lower  parts  of  western  park  boundary;  will  be  noted  in  vicinity  of 

El    Portal    

Oregon  ash  (see  page  29) 

16.  Leaves  "maple-like",  palmately  divided  into  three  to  five  lobes;  winged  seeds  pro- 
duced in  pairs   17 

16.  Leaves  not  divided;  oblong  in  outline.  Large  white  blossoms  conspicuous  in  spring; 

clusters  of  bright  red  seeds  conspicuous  in  fall  

Pacific  dogwood  (see  page  25) 

17.  Leaves  small,  one  to  three  inches  wide;  leaf  stems  occasionally  red;  winged  seeds  rose- 
red  before  maturity,  changing  to  russet  brown,  about  one  inch  long.  Usually  a  tall  shrub 

in  gravelly  to  rocky  soils  in  protected  locations  

Rocky  Mountain  maple  (see  page  24) 

17.  Leaves  larger  than  above  at  maturity.  Seeds  larger.  Flowers  yellow-green  in  color 18 

18.  Leaves  large,  sometimes  twelve  inches  wide;  fragrant  yellow  flowers  in  pendent, 
compact  clusters  (racemes).  Seeds  large,  one  to  one  and  one-half  inches  long  includ- 
ing the  wing.    The  common  maple  of  this  region. 

Big  leaf  maple  (see  page  23) 

18.  Leaves  1  to  3  inches  wide  at  maturity;  yellow-green  flowers  in  loose,  open  clusters 
(corymbs).  Seeds,  including  wings,  rarely  longer  than  one  inch.  Uncommon  intro- 
duced   tree    

Sugar  maple  (see  page  35) 


40 


YOSEMITE  NATURE  NOTES 


SELECTED   REFERENCES 

Collingwood,  G.  H.  Knowing  Your  Trees.     Washington,  D.C.,  The  American  Forestry  Assn.,   1937 
(Rev.  1941).    213  p.,  illus. 

Hall,  H.  M.  and  C.  C.   A  Yosemile  Flora.   San  Francisco,  Calif.,  Paul  Elder  and  Co.,   1912.   282  p., 
illus. 

Harlow,  W.  M.  and  Harrar,  E.  S.    Textbook  of  Dendrology.    New  York,  McGraw-Hill  Book  Co., 
1941.    542  p.,  illus. 

Jepson,  W.  L.  A  Manual  of  the  Flowering  Plants  of  California.  Berkeley,  California,   University 
of  California,  1925.    1238  p.,  illus. 

McMinn,  H.  E.    An  Illustrated  Manual  of  California  Shrubs.    San  Francisco,  Calif.,  J.  W.  Stacey, 
Inc.,  1939.   689  p.,  illus. 

McMinn,   H.   E.   and  Maino,   Evelyn.      An  Illustrated   Manual  of   Pacific   Coast   Trees,   Berkeley, 
California,  University  of  Cahfornia,    1946,  409  p.,  illus. 

Sargent,  C.  S.   Manual  of  the  Trees  of  North  America.    Boston,  Mass.,  Houghton  Mifflin  Co.,   1933. 
910  p.,  illus. 

Sudworth,  G.  B.    Forest  Trees  of  the  Pacific  Slope.    Washington,  D.C.,  U.  S.  Government  Printing 
Office,  1908.   441  p.,  illus. 

Trelease,  Wm.    Winter  Botany.    Urbana,  Illinois,  pub.  by  author,   1925.    396  p.,  illus. 


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DIGEST  OF  THE  PURPOSES  OF  THE 

YOSEMITE 

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