Dendrology

Dendrology

Common name: Douglas fir (native to the PNW)

Scientific name: Pseudotsuga menziesii

Class: Pinopsida

Division: Pinophyta

Family: Pinaceae

Genus: Pseudotsuga

Kingdom: Plantae

 

Additional info:

• "Legend says that a long time ago there was a large fire in the forests of the west. Many animals were running around frantically trying to escape the flames. Tiny mice, not fast enough to outrun the fire, were trying to find shelter in various trees. The mice approached many trees asking for their help and were continuously denied. Finally they approached the large and mighty Douglas fir tree and asked if they could take shelter amongst its branches. The Douglas fir agreed to help the mice and allowed them to hide in its cones. The mice survived the fire, and to this day, if you examine a Douglas fir cone you can see the tails of the mice sticking out of the scales of a cone."- Quote from https://www.savetheredwoods.org/blog/futures/the-douglas-fir-and-the-mouse/ 
• Douglas firs are one of the most economically significant trees here in Oregon due to their timber quality, decay resistance, strength, and durability.
• Douglas fir is a keystone species
  

 

Common name: Big leaf maple (native to Oregon)

Scientific name: Acer macrophyllum

Family: Sapindaceae

Genus: Acer

Kingdom: Plantae

 

 Additional info:

• Aside from bigleaf maples providing nourishment for a variety of animals, they also create suitable habitat for other plants that require an environment that is more shielded from the sun. 
• Bigleaf maples are suitable hosts for many epiphytes (mosses, lichens, and ferns). These organisms utilize the tree as a substrate, and upon the epiphytes degrading into the soil below, this returns nutrients back to the maple tree.  

 

Common name: Vine maple (native to PNW)

Scientific name: Acer circinatum

Family: Sapindaceae

Genus: Acer

Kingdom: Plantae

 

	Additional info:
	Similar to bigleaf maples, vine maples provide food for wildlife as well as a suitable habitat for epiphytes, which they have a symbiotic relationship with. Vine maples mature and reproduce quickly, allowing them to colonize the forest floor quickly, enhancing soil health and promoting biodiversity as a result. Common name Pacific rhododendron (native to PNW) Scientific name: Rhododendron macrophyllum Family: Ericaceae Kingdom: Plantae Order: Ericales
	Common name Snowbrush (native to PNW) Scientific name: Ceanothus velutinus Family: Rhamnaceae Kingdom: Plantae Order: Rosales
	Additional info:
	Snowbrush is often eaten by deer, elk, small mammals, and birds. When flowering, the plant attracts many pollinators who utilize the plant for food and habitat. The seeds require being exposed to heat by fire in order to germinate.

 

 

 

Common name Ocean Spray or Ironwood (native to PNW)

Scientific name: Holodiscus discolor

Family: Rosaceae

Kingdom: Plantae

Order:Rosales

 

Common name Oregon Grape (native to PNW)

Scientific name: Berberis nervosa

Family: Berberidaceae

Kingdom: Plantae

Order:Ranunculales

Additional info: 

• Oregon grape supplies food and habitat for wildlife for birds, mammals, and insects. 
• Native Americans have used Oregon grape to treat stomach issues, tuberculosis, and skin ailments. 
• The fruits can be used to make wine. Oregon grape is Oregon's state flower.  

 

Common name: Western Hemlock (native to PNW)

Scientific name: Tsuga heterophylla

Family: Pinaceae

Kingdom: Plantae

Order: Pinales

Additional info:

Western hemlock is one of the most commercially important trees in the PNW. It is more disease resistant than Douglas Fir which is influencing decisions to plant hemlock as opposed to Doug fir forests for timber production. Western hemlock creates the perfect habitat for chanterelle mushrooms, which are extremely popular mushrooms to cook with.