Tree Spotting
Friday afternoon—I’m at Brainard Lake in Indian Peaks Wilderness. It’s the end of a long work week, and I hope that the thin mountain air will help to clear my head of the stress that has taken root. Unfortunately, it’s too late to start a hike and, surprisingly, too busy as well. Two (separate) wedding parties have taken over the area, and attendees are posing for pictures at various vantage points around the lake. Those not squeezing into photo frames or primping themselves in rearview mirrors swarm the parking lot and nearby paths. Not one among them wears a mask.
Holding large, boisterous private gatherings on public lands in non-pandemic times is a fad that annoys me. But now, when Colorado’s COVID-19 cases are climbing fast, it makes me livid. From what I can see, I’m not alone in this sentiment—bands of bewildered hikers returning from the trails scowl as they dodge clusters of oblivious wedding-goers. Aggravated, I retreat to my car and drive to a secluded spot at the far end of the parking lot.
I’m up here to relax and to try and identify a few trees, part of an effort I’m making to become more familiar with the arboreal species I see on my hikes. I find a thicket of trees not far from where I’m parked. There are plenty to identify; some even look familiar to me. But it’s rough going. The tree I select to scrutinize seems to match the description of at least three species in my field guide. I take numerous photos, feel the bark, examine needle attachment, rummage the ground, gathering intact cones.
I’ll spare you the details, but after two hours, three guide books, and several google searches, I finally identify two species in my study plot—an Englemann Spruce (Picea engelmannii) and a Subalpine Fir (Abies lasiocarpa).
First, the Engelmann Spruce—the picture at the top of this post shows a close-up of its needles, and here is the bark:
Another close-up of the needles of the Englemann Spruce shows the distinctive white stripes on the underside of these upcurled needles:
And the papery Englemann Spruce cone, all of two inches in length and distinguished from the otherwise similar Douglas-Fir cone in its lack of bracts:
The second tree I’m able to identify is the Subalpine Fir, clusters of its needles are pictured here:
I didn’t take any additional photos of the Subalpine Fir, as I was able to identify it based on its rather bendy branch ends and curled needle tips. It was growing amongst a cluster of Englemann Spruce trees (the two species often are found in mixed stands), and it definitely had a different structure and character than the spruce.
It’s worth pointing out that my ability to identify the Subalpine Fir was based more on the realization that it was clearly not an Englemann Spruce—it was something different. This fact provided me with a quicker path to discovering its true identity. I’m encouraged by this notion because perhaps additional identifications will become easier as I get to know more tree species.
So there you have it, two trees identified. Many to go. As I learn more about the Engelmann Spruce and Subalpine Fir, I’ll create complete profiles of each. But for now, consider this a first, brief introduction.