Trees To Know

illustration of a tree and branch with flowerpots balanced on it with rocks handing from strings beneath with text reading: DENSIFLORUS: DENSELY FLOWERED LITHOCARPUS: ROCK FRUIT THE 'ACORN' IS VERY HARD

Tanoak

"The Oregon Forest Research Laboratory says the wood is fine for hardwood plywood, flooring, furniture, and other products."

illustration of three olympic champions with D. FIR in first place, P. PINE in second, and W. HEM in third with the caption THIRD IN OREGON TIMBER SUPPLY

Western Hemlock

"Hemlock has a Cinderella story because as late as 1930 lumbermen did not want it."

photograph of green lodgepole pine cones in a needle cluster

One from the real world -- Lodgepole Pine

"Extensive lodgepole stands are seen at middle and higher elevations throughout eastern Oregon, including the upper Cascades."

illustration of trees being paint-sprayed by a person wearing a scarf, pointy hat, and curled-toe shoes

Western Larch

"No other western conifer is such a pale green; you can pick out larch as far away as colors can be told."

an illustration of many people bending a log with the caption STRONG

Oregon White Oak

"A heartwood post near Eugene lasted for 100 years, showing how durable the heart is. As a fuel, white oak is unsurpassed ; it burns clean and makes a lasting fire."

illustration of branch with four pinecones and caption CONES ATTACHED LIKE BANANAS

Knobcone Pine

“You never saw such a cone-covered pine.”

an illustration depicting trees and shrubs with a broken knife blade between them captioned THE DIVISION BETWEEN TREES AND SHRUBS IS NOT SHARP

Shrubs

“A plant that is usually a shrub may become a small tree under especially favorable conditions.”

image of an illustration depicting a Toad, Rat, and Mole captioned "THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS" CLASSIC CHILDREN'S BOOK

The Willows

“To know that a tree is a willow is easy; to identify a particular willow species is very, very difficult.”

image of an illustration depicting a plate, bowl, and candle holder with text which reads MYRTLEWOOD PRODUCTS ARE FAMOUS

Oregon-myrtle

“On the north side of the Oregon-California state line this tree is always called Oregon-myrtle. On the south side of the line no one would think of calling it anything but California-laurel.

Actually the tree is not a myrtle... Nor is it a true laurel...”

Wild Cherries

“You find bitter cherry throughout Oregon, but more commonly west of the Cascades. In our rain forests it may grow to small log size.”

Guest post! From Reg Manning's classic "What Kinda Cactus Izzat?"

Mesquite

Giant Sequoia

"The great age and size of both species place them in a lofty world of their own, as the Greek gods dwelt on Mount Olympus apart from men."

Red Alder

"Its wonderful machinability makes it an ideal material for toys and hundreds of novelties."

Sitka Spruce

"The Sitka spruce is a favorite of campers in the wild. Tips of small limbs cut about 18 inches long, then piled evenly on the ground and covered with canvas, make the best bough beds."

Oregon White Oak

"When winter bares their craggy crowns, many are seen to be inhabited by mistletoe. ... A heartwood post near Eugene lasted for 100 years, showing how durable the heart is."

Bonus content on maples, from Tom Watts' "Pacific Coast Tree Finder" (Nature Study Guild, 1973)

Bigleaf Maple

"Bigleaf maple gets its name from the size of its leaves. They are usually 6 to 12 inches in diameter but can stretch to 15 inches on occasion. Of all the world’s numerous maples, this one has the largest leaf."