Take a Lesson From the Trees

 

 

Got Trees?

 

Central Oregon does.

 

Oh not the kind most people are used to. Central  Oregon is  home to the Juniper tree.

Central Oregon Juniper tree

Central Oregon Juniper tree

 

It takes a special kind of tree to adapt to the poor soil and lack of rainfall and the juniper fits right in. The juniper is one tough tree and a personal favorite of mine.  It withstands drought, high winds and just about anything man or nature can throw at it.

 

Juniper tree used as an elk rub

Juniper tree used as an elk rub

This young juniper was unfortunate to be in the path of a big bull elk.

The elk and deer thrash these trees to rub the drying velvet off their antlers. even though this tree might die, many survive this kind of abuse.

a "window" from a burned juniper

a "window" from a burned juniper

Sometimes it can even survive forest fire. Just about the only thing that can kill a juniper is a chainsaw.

 

 

I’m always looking for the unique shapes that trees can grow. Even when twisted and contorted from the forces of nature, junipers are able survive when most trees would die.

a true survivor

a true survivor

 

If you look closely you can see that this tree is still growing healthy branches.

 

 

Even when Junipers die they can be intersting to look at. One never knows what unusual shapes  one might find.

 

in the crotch of a dead juniper

in the crotch of a dead juniper

 

fire burned juniper

fire burned juniper

Now wasn’t that fun?  Tune in next time when we’ll talk about rocks. Bye!

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