Camille out for a Grand Trees of Chatham winter tree identification hike at White Pines Nature Preserve, with naturalist Andy Upshaw – February 26, 2017
GREAT TRAILS
The trails at White Pines are wide and dry, and only fifteen minutes from our house. Its 275 acres are owned by the Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC.)
WHITE OAK, GREEN ASH
Andy knows his trees and did a mighty fine job of pointing out their defining characteristics. Don’t get too close to that poison ivy vine, Andy!
MUSCLE WOOD, SOUR WOOD
Two of Camille’s second favorite trees are the Ironwood or “musclewood” because of its sinewy texture, and the indestructible Sourwood that twists and turns and keeps on growing in whatever direction works best.
LIKING LICHEN
Our friend Besty happened to be on this hike. Betsy studies lichen and loves it in its many forms. “This is called Smoky Eyes,” she explained, “see the little specs? Those are the eyes.”
A GRAND OLD WHITE PINE
This was a darned big pine tree. Just to prove it, one of the other hikers tried to get his arms around the trunk. No dice. Andy pointed out one of the defining characteristics of white pine is that the branches grow in a spoke-like pattern. Each year the tree grows a new round of spokes. Both the tree and its hugger have seen their share of years.
SERVICEBERRY
A cute surprise found at the foot of the giant White Pine, not to be confused the invasive Elaeagnus referred to as Silverberry.
SPOTTED SALAMANDER EGGS
TLC naturalist, Phil reached into one of several vernal ponds to retrieve a gelatinous glob that made most of us go, “Ewww.” “These,” he said, “are Spotted Salamander eggs.” The ponds were created by TLC for amphibian habitat.
THE CONFLUENCE
A beautiful spot, this is where the Rocky River flows into the Deep. There’s a nice little bench at the overlook for serious introspection. Next time Camille encounters a conundrum, she knows where to go.
SWEETGUMS AND SYCAMORES
This large sweet gum (Camille’s notebook at the base is six inches high) prompted Andy to defend the much-maligned Sweetgum by stating, “The Chatham County soil would have washed away if it weren’t for these.” He is also partial to Sycamores, abundant near any kind of water.
HOLIDAY TREES
The sweet, spicy scent of these bright yellow Spicebush blooms put us in a holiday mood. As did the Holly decked with Christmas balls.
BUCKEYES AND BLUEBERRIES
The palmate leaves of a Buckeye unfold gracefully while fat Blueberry blossoms promise treats for the deer.
SHAGGY TREES
Shagbark Hickory and exfoliating Locust, both easy to identify because of their distinctive bark.
BEECH AND HACKBERRY
A cute little Beech, Camille’s number one favorite tree caught the sun and posed coquettishly for a snapshot. Another startling white-barked tree, the Hackberry, is not nearly as approachable due to its spiky warts.