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Flora Interlude: What trees are these?

Sep 012011

As I’ve walked and biked around Ashland, I’ve come across trees and bushes that seem new to me, either because they are rare in northwest Washington (and the Midwest), or because I just didn’t notice them before in the same way. I haven’t spent a lot of time looking up what these plants are called, except for one.

Along the Bear Creek Greenway, I see a lot of a these:

What I’m talking about is the lighter-colored tree that is in the foreground. I’ve seen both tree-size and small bush-size versions.

Whenever I ride by these, I get a strong smell of what might be juniper. Yet, I haven’t been able to match this tree/bush with any of the descriptions of junipers online. I suppose it’s possible that this light-colored plant just happens to grow near the plant that actually emits the smell.

Anyway, the nice smell and its reminding me of juniper make me want to know what the heck this tree is!

Here is a closeup. The leaves are very narrow, but seem too wide for needles.

And then there’s this tree with bunches of pods hanging from the branches.

I’ve already asked about this bush that has puffy pom-pom things growing on it.

I’ve also noticed a lot of these gnarled, multi-trunk trees.

This large tree is in front of our house.

Finally, here’s a tree I don’t need help with, but I think it’s kinda neat that these just grow willy-nilly along the bike trail.

Moving to Ashland part 2, The Bear Creek Greenway

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Aug 192011

I finally took my bike out for the first time since the move. From the house, it’s only a mile or two to connect with the Bear Creek Greenway, a paved trail that runs all the way from Ashland to Medford. Since it’s a 20-ish mile ride one way, the full ride would be 40 miles, a distance I’m not in shape for yet.

It’s a beautiful trail much of the way as it dances with Bear Creek. It’s also giving me a sense of the landscape around here. Here’s my ride. It’s the funnest bike I’ve ridden since I was a kid.

A vineyard looking back towards the west tip of Ashland.

Bear Creek runs to the left of the trail and passes through the dark gap in the trees on the left. I think this shot gives a pretty good idea of the color palette here.

This is taken from near Phoenix (Oregon) looking back towards Ashland.

I discovered that the Talent truck stops here.

A view of the hills rising out of the west end of Ashland. I’d be lying if I said that was the first cloud I’ve seen here, but not by much.

Another view from the trail nearing town.