The Journey is the destination
The California Juniper ( Juniperus californica ) is a common tree found in California, western Arizona and southern Nevada at medium elevations between 2,460 – 5,250 ft. Commonly growing 10 and 26 feet in height, the grayish shredded bark Juniper may reach a maximum height or about 33 feet, although this height is rare. Growing up in California and frequently camping in the Mojave and High Sierra, the California Juniper has frequents my memory and photographs.
The Joshua Tree was named for the biblical character by the Mormon Setters as they crossed the Mojave Desert in the mid 19th century. It is told that the tree reminded the early Mormon’s of Joshua who, much like the tree, held his hands up in prayer. From these humble beginnings, this tree and its undulating shadows have become of an icon of the desert southwest.
Joshua Trees are found in the desert southwest at elevations between 1300 and 5900 feet. A member of the Yucca family, the Joshua can live several hundred years and grow up to 30 feet tall and have a trunk up to 3 feet in diameter. The tree trunk contains many small fibers and does not contain growth rings as with typical trees. A top heavy branched tree it can develop an impressive and deep root system which can reach 31 feet deep.
During the spring months of February, March and April, white flowers signal be beginning of spring for the Joshua Tree. Flowering is dependent upon both an adequate amount of rain and a freeze. Once flowered, the Joshua Tree is dependent upon the Yucca month for pollination.
New trees can develop from the roots of existing tree from Rhizomes, however the Yucca moth is required to create new stands of trees from the seeds.
This yucca plant inspired a National Park in Southern CA, which is a favorite location to visit. The symbol of the high desert, the tree is the name sake of a famous Irish rock band, which is also a favorite.
Blown by wind, and ravaged by time, the Bristlecone pine tree is a silent sentinel of the White Mountains in eastern central California. Only growing high in subapline mountains, Bristlecone pine trees are among the oldest living organisms, reaching ages of 5000 years old, with on specimen being documented at 5,067 years old by Tom Harlan who aged the tree by ring count. That calculation confirms this one individual tree to be the oldest living non-clonal organism on the planet.
The Bristlecone pine groves are found between 5,600 and 11,200 ft of elevation on mountain slopes with dolomitic coils and can be reached using the White Mountain Road. This harsh alkaline soil gives the Bristlecone a competitive advantage because over plants and tree are unable to grow. The trees grow very slowly due cold temperatures, arid soil, wind and short growing seasons.
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