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Cedar Tree of Lebanon

admin — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 09:38:06 +0000

The cedar of Lebanon, also known as Lebanon cedar, is a species of tall coniferous trees characterized by large, irregularly shaped heads with spreading branches. It belongs to the Cedrus genus of the Pinaceae family. This cedar species typically grows in the mountainous regions of the Eastern Mediterranean. In Middle Eastern culture, it has great historical and religious significance and has been cited several times in ancient literature.

Cedar Tree of Lebanon

Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Plantae
*Clade*	Tracheophytes
Division	Pinophyta
Class	Pinopsida
Order	Pinales
Family	Pinaceae
Genus	Cedrus
Scientific Name	Cedrus libani

Cedars of Lebanon

Lebanon Cedar

Quick Information

Tree Type	Evergreen coniferous
Identification	Height: Can grow up to 100-130 ft Leaves: Needle-like, spirally-arranged, about 5-35 mm long, and 1-1.5 mm wide Trunk Diameter: 6 ft – 8 ft 2 in Bark: Rough, scaly, dark gray-blackish brown, has horizontal fissures, stripping in small chips Cones: Males are solitary, erect, 4-5 cm long, pale green to light brown; female woody cones are scaly, resinous, barrel-shaped, gray-brown, 8-12 cm long Seeds: Ovoid, 4-6 mm wide, 10-14 mm long, have wedge-shaped wings Branches: Large, erect Crown: Conical when young, broadly flat when matured
Distribution	Eastern Mediterranean regions including western Syria, Lebanon, and south-central Turkey
Habitat	Grows on rocky slopes and ridges, in pure or mixed forests at altitudes of 500-3,000 m
USDA Hardiness Zone	5b through 10a
Growth Rate	Relatively slow, growing at a rate of 12-15 inches per year
Lifespan	Long-lived, can live for more than 1,000 years
Growing Conditions	Sunlight: Grows in full sun (about six hours of constant sunlight each day) Soil: Light sandy, heavy clay, medium loamy, well-drained, dry to moist Water: Average rainfall, about 40 inches per year
Drought Tolerance	Moderate to high
Diseases & Pests	Susceptible to fungal diseases like botrytis bunch rot and Armillaria root rot (caused by a honey fungus); some common pests include the Lebanese cedar shoot moth
Reproductive System	Monoecious, which means flowers are either female or male but both sexes are found on the same tree
Propagation	Through seeds, stem cuttings
Wildlife Value	Provides habitat for different invertebrate species, the crevices within the branches and trunks offer nesting places for birds like the tawny owl and roosting sites for bats
Uses	Wood from Lebanon cedar is used for construction, handicrafts, and furniture; resins and essential oils, extracted from the wood, leaves, and cones, are used for producing antiseptic ointments and cough medicines; planted as ornamental trees in gardens and parks
IUCN Conservation Status	Since its population has been decreasing, it is considered a ‘Vulnerable’ species

Cedar of Lebanon Bonsai

Cedar of Lebanon Cones

Cedar Trees of Lebanon Pictures

Cedars of Lebanon Photos

Interesting Facts

The Lebanon cedar has been conferred the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticulture Society in 2017.
It appears as the national emblem on the coat of arms and the flag of Lebanon.
An exceptional Lebanon cedar specimen recognized by the US state of Arkansas, located inside the Hot Springs National Park, is more than 100 years old.
For increasing the population of Lebanon cedars, the Lebanese authorities have created many reserves, including the Cedars of God, which is an old-growth forest in Bsharri.

Cedar Tree Lebanon

Cedars of Lebanon Seeds

References

The post Cedar Tree of Lebanon appeared first on Coniferous Forest.

Eastern Red Cedar

admin — Sat, 30 May 2020 13:15:01 +0000

Eastern red cedar, commonly called the red cedar, eastern juniper, pencil cedar, and red juniper, is a species of dense, slow-growing conifers that belong to the genus Juniperus of the family Cupressaceae. Known for its graceful appearance and being incredibly strong for its small to medium size, the red cedar is found in the eastern and northern states of America. The two varieties of eastern red cedar include Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana or eastern juniper (distinguished by larger cones, acute scale leaves at the apex, and reddish brown bark) and Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola or southern juniper (characterized by smaller cones, blunt scale leaves at the apex, and orange-brown bark).

Eastern Red Cedar

Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Plantae
*Clade*	Tracheophytes
Division	Pinophyta
Class	Pinopsida
Order	Pinales
Family	Cupressaceae
Genus	Juniperus
Section	Juniperus sect. Sabina
Scientific Name	Juniperus virginiana

Eastern Red Cedar Tree

Eastern Red Cedar Leaf

Quick Information

Tree Type	Evergreen coniferous
Identification	Height: 16-66 ft on average, rarely grows up to 89-90 ft Leaves: Sharp, needle-like juvenile leaves, about 5-10 mm long, andscale-like, tightly pressed adult leaves, about 2-4 mm long Trunk Diameter: 12-39 inches on average, but some specimens can measure up to 67 inches Bark: Reddish-brown, fibrous, peels off in thin strips Cones: Males are 2-3 mm long, 1.5 mm broad; females are dark purple-blue, berry-like, 3-7 mm long Seeds: Wingless Branches: Drooping Crown: Dense, pyramid shaped
Distribution	Canada and the eastern United States; from Nova Scotia to Ontario,across the northern Great Plains through eastern Texas, northern Florida and then to the Atlantic coast
Habitat	Rocky ridgetops, dry uplands, abandoned farmlands, prairies, grasslands, low mountains, Piedmont regions
USDA Hardiness Zone	2 to 9
Growth Rate	Slow to medium rate, height increases at the rate of 13-24 inches annually
Lifespan	Typically 100-300 years, but the oldest red cedar lived for 940 years
Growing Conditions	Sunlight: Requires full sun; should get a minimum six hours of unfiltered, direct sunlight Soil: Alkaline, acidic, loamy, sandy, moist, well-drained, clay Water: Moderate rainfall, can withstand sporadic flooding
Drought Tolerance	Excellent
Diseases & Pests	Diseases include twig and tip blight, cedar-apple rust, and Phytophthora root rot; some common pests are spruce spider mites, juniperscales, and bagworms
Reproductive System	Usually dioecious, which means seed and pollen cones appear on separate trees
Propagation	Through stem cuttings
Wildlife Value	Its foliage provides roosting and nesting site for robins, sparrows, juncos, warblers, and mockingbirds; the twigs and foliage serve as food source for browsers and the fruits are eaten by cedar waxwings
Uses	The fine-grained, fragrant heartwood is used for building fence posts, it is in great demand for making closets and chests, ideal for making flatbows, longbows, and sinew-backed bows, juniper essential oil is obtained from the twigs, leaves, and wood, its cones are used a a flavoring agent in gin, it is used as a Christmas tree in the Oklahoma, Arkansas Ozarks, and Missouri
IUCN Conservation Status	Its population has been increasing and the species is listed as ‘LeastConcern’

Eastern Red Cedar Juniper

Eastern Red Cedar Bonsai

Interesting Facts

In several places, the eastern red cedar is regarded as an invasive species. Since it does not tolerate fire, it was earlier controlled by occasional forest fires.
The red cedar originated during the ancient era when aboriginal Americans existed. Fossil evidence has shown that it occurred in large parts of the continent.
The pollen of eastern red cedar is an allergen, but less potent than that of Ashe juniper. Contact with the red cedar’s wood or leaves can cause mild skin irritations in some people.

Eastern Red Cedar Berries

Eastern Red Cedar Bark

References

The post Eastern Red Cedar appeared first on Coniferous Forest.

Western Hemlock

admin — Sun, 22 Jan 2017 10:48:28 +0000

Known for its durable timber, the western hemlock is a species of large conifers found in the western coastal regions of North America. It is the dominant climax species in the forests west of the Pacific Coast Ranges.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Plantae
Division	Pinophyta
Class	Pinopsida
Order	Pinales
Family	Pinaceae
Genus	Tsuga
Scientific Name	Tsuga heterophylla

Western Hemlock Tree

Western Hemlock Pictures

Western Hemlock

Western Hemlock Bonsai

Quick Information

Other Names	Western Hemlock-Spruce, Pacific Hemlock, Coast Hemlock, West Coast Hemlock
Size	Height: 50 to 70 m (165 to 230 ft); occasionally grows up to 83.34 m (273.42 ft) Trunk diameter: Up to 2.7 m (9 ft)
Identification	Leaves (Needles): Short-stalked, finely toothed, flat, 5-20 mm long, irregularly spare Cones: Ovoid, short-stalked, thin papery scales; greenish to reddish-purple turning brown with age Bark: Smooth and reddish-brown when young; becomes darker, ridged and scaly upon maturity
Shape at Maturity	Narrow crown, down-sweeping branches, drooping lead shoot
Tree Type	Evergreen
Distribution/Range	Alaska, California, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington (United States); Alberta, British Columbia (Canada)
Hardiness Zones	6
Growth Rate	Initially slow; once established, seedlings can grow at a rate of more than 24 inches per year
Lifespan	400-500 years
Growing Conditions	Winter Conditions: Average winter temperatures range from -10.9° to 8.5° C Summer Conditions: Average summer temperatures range from 11° to 20° C Rain: 560-1730 mm per year (Rocky Mountains); 380-6650 mm per year (Alaska, British Columbia) Sunlight: Tolerates shade Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, acidic, light sandy, medium loamy
Diseases and Pests	Dwarf mistletoe, Heterobasidionannosum, Phellinusweiri, Echinodontiumtinctorium, Rhizina undulate (root rot), Sirococcus strobilinus; western larch borer, weevil, and hemlock looper cause damage
Flowering/Fruiting	Floweringbegins in April, continues until May-June; cones mature 4-5 months after pollination, seeds ripen in September
Breeding System	Monoecious
Seed Production	Good cone crops occur after 25-30 years of age
Seedling Development	Germination is epigeal; seedlings are sensitive to cold, heat, drought, and wind
Wildlife Value	Black-tailed deer and Roosevelt elk feed on the leaves and twigs; black bear cut through the bark of pole-size trees; mountain beaver, brush rabbit, and snowshoe hare clip off branches and stems of seedlings
Uses	For wood pulp, poles, railway ties, pilings, construction lumber; as specimen trees, hedging plants, and bonsai
IUCN Conservation Status	Least Concern

Washington State Tree

Tsuga Heterophylla

Western Hemlock Bark

Western Hemlock Leaf

Interesting Facts

In 1947, western hemlock was designated as the “Washington State Tree.”
Native people used hemlock bark as a tanning agent and cleansing solution, owing to its high tannin content.
Its inner bark was used by the Alaska Indians to produce coarse bread.

Western Hemlock Cones

Western Hemlock Lumber

References:

The post Western Hemlock appeared first on Coniferous Forest.

Deer Mouse

admin — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 12:46:42 +0000

Deer mice are small, white footed rodents that are quite prevalent in North America. Although deer mouse is the common name given to Peromyscusmaniculatus, most species belonging to the genus Peromyscus are generally referred to as the deer mouse. These tiny mammals are a concern since they are the carriers of Lyme disease and Hantavirus, which are deadly to humans.

Deer Mouse Range Map

Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Rodentia
Family	Cricetidae
Genus	Peromyscus
Scientific Name	Peromyscus maniculatus

Quick Information

Other Names	North American Deermouse
Subspecies	Some common ones are P. m. gracilis (forest deer mouse), P. m. bairdii (prairie deer mouse), P. m. nubiterrae (cloudland deer mouse)
Similar to	Peromyscusleucopus (white footed deer mouse)
Identification	Size: 12-22 cm long, tail length is 4.5-10.5 cm Weight: 10-24 grams Color: Dark/light brown back; white undersides and legs; the tail is whitish at the bottom but darker at the top
Distribution	Throughout southern US, Canada, and northern and central Mexico; extending to the coastal regions in East Texas
Habitat	Grasslands, woodlands, bushy areas, swamps, and bogs; coniferous, deciduous, and northern boreal forests
Lifespan/Life Expectancy	Less than 1 year; captive animals can live upto 8 years
Diet	Omnivorous; seeds, leaves, fruits, fungi, and arthropods like caterpillars, heteropterans, and spiders
Communication/Perception	Through senses of touch, smell, hearing, and vision; make squeaky sounds, emit pheromones, give warning signals by drumming the front paws up and down, and mark their territories
Adaptations	Their large ears and beady eyes help in hearing and sight; the markings and coloration of their body make them difficult to detect in their natural environment
Number of offspring	1-9 young; 3-5 babies are common
Number of litters per year	3-4
Breeding season	Can reproduce year round, but usually, occurs from March-October
Gestation period	22-26 days
Predators/Competition	Snakes, minks, martens, skunks, weasels, bobcats, domestic cats, foxes, coyotes, owls, ringtails
IUCN Conservation Status	Least Concern

Deer Mouse Images

Deer Mouse Pictures

Behavior

The deer mice are nocturnal animals adept in climbing trees. However, they remain mostly active on the ground, spending most of the time around food cache and nests, which consist of twigs, leaves, stems, roots, and other plant materials.Some construct their own burrows below the ground level while others build nests in tree hollows, stumps, bush piles, and logs.

These are somewhat social and may form small groups comprising an adult male, several mature females, and their babies. During winter, they may huddle together and become torpid in their nests to conserve heat.

Baby Deer Mouse

Deer Mouse Pet

Mating and Reproduction

Breeding in deer mice is largely determined by the availability of food rather than by season.Female deer mice exhibit more than one estrus during the breeding season, each cycle lasting about five days.Adult males can have more than one mating partner at the same time while a female can pair with several males.After the gestation period, female deer mice give birth to a litter of pups, which are nested and kept warm with the help of the male partner.

Life Cycle

The young are born blind and naked and needs to be cared for by the parents. They open their eyes 13-19 days after birth and develop full coats by the second week. Weaned at 18-24 days, the juveniles become independent in a few weeks. Although they reach adult size by 6 weeks of age, weight gain continues thereafter. Sexual maturity is achieved after 48 days.

Deer Mouse

White Footed Deer Mouse

Interesting Facts

Unlike the house mouse (Musmusculus), the deer mouse has a bicolored, slightly furry tail. Moreover, its ears and eyes are comparatively larger than those of the house mouse.
Most young deer mouse disperses after weaning and may travel up to 152 m from its place of birth in order to establish its own territory.

Deer Mouse Skull

Deer Mouse Droppings

References:

The post Deer Mouse appeared first on Coniferous Forest.

Ringneck Snake

admin — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 10:20:53 +0000

The ringneck snake is a species of slender, mildly poisonous snakes commonly found in southeastern Canada, central Mexico, and many parts of the US. Their small stature, nonaggressive nature, and rear-facing fangs do not pose much threat to the humans. Females are comparatively larger while having shorter tails than the males.

Ringneck Snake

Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Subphylum	Vertebrata
Class	Reptilia
Order	Squamata
Suborder	Serpentes
Family	Colubridae
Subfamily	Dipsadinae
Genus	Diadophis
Scientific Name	Diadophis punctatus

Eastern Ringneck Snake

Quick Information

Other Names	Ring-necked snake
Subspecies	Fourteen are recognized; some of them are northern ringneck snake (D. p. edwardsii), regal ringneck snake (D. p. regalis), southern ringneck snake (D. p. punctatus), prairie ringneck snake (D. p. arnyi), coral bellied ringneck snake (D. p. pulchellus) and northwestern ring-necked snake (D. p. occidentalis)
Size	Adults: 10 to 15 in (25 to 38 cm) Juveniles: About 8 in (20 cm)
Weight	1.32 g on average
Color	Solid olive, bluish gray, black, and brown with red, yellow-orange, or yellow neck band; some may lack the distinctive band; red or yellow-orange ventral coloration with black spots
Distribution	Nova Scotia, southern Ontario and Quebec in Canada; Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Gulf Coast of Texas, southern Florida, northern Minnesota, eastern Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Pacific Northwest, south-central Washington, western Idaho, southern Nevada, central Utah, Arizona; central Mexico
Habitat	Woodlands, forests, chaparrals, grasslands; riparian and arid regions, abandoned buildings, junk piles; also in seasonally wet places
Lifespan/Life Expectancy	10-20 years; 6 years in captivity
Diet	Small lizards, earthworms, salamanders, frogs, slugs, young ones of other snake species
Communication/Perception	Head rubbing, touching, pheromones
Adaptations	Western ringnecks secrete a musky saliva with a pungent odor to escape predators when held
Number of offspring	3-10 eggs
Breeding season	Spring or fall
Eggs hatch	August or September
Predators/Competition	Blue racers, kingsnakes, coral snakes, shrews, skunks, armadillos, opossums, screech owls, bullfrogs, wild hogs; large centipedes and spiders eat baby ringneck snakes
IUCN Conservation Status	Least Concern

Coral Bellied Ringneck Snake

Northern Ringneck Snake

Behavior

Ring-necked snakes are secretive reptiles that do not usually expose themselves to the daylight. Diurnal activity is sometimes observed, particularly on cloudy days when they lie exposed to the sun to gain heat.

They exhibit social structure with some populations existing as colonies of more than 100 individuals. Some snake communities are often found occupying a single microhabitat.

When in danger, ring-necked snakes with orange-red posterior raise their coiled tails toward the predators to warn them of their toxicity.

Pet Ringneck Snake

Regal Ringneck Snake

Mating and Reproduction

During the mating season, female snakes release pheromones from the skin to attract males. Once attracted, the male rubs his mouth along the body of the female snake, bites her around the neck ring and aligns his body with the female’s to release the sperm. In some subspecies, delayed fertilization may occur, with the eggs being laid during June-July in moist, aerated regions.

Prairie Ringneck Snake

Baby Ringneck Snake

Life Cycle

After the eggs are laid, there is no parental involvement in caring for the eggs. The young snakes are somewhat mobile and mature from the moment they hatch. They reach sexual maturity at 3 years of age.

Interesting Facts

To secure its prey, the ringneck snake compresses and then injects venom into the victim’s body.
Instead of having true venom glands, the ringneck snakes possess the Duvernoy’s gland that might help in swallowing or digestion.

Southern Ringneck Snake

Western Ringneck Snake

References

The post Ringneck Snake appeared first on Coniferous Forest.

Ponderosa Pine

admin — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 11:21:04 +0000

Ponderosa pine is a species of lean and erect coniferous trees distributed in the western US and Canada. It is one of the most abundant conifer species in America and is valued for its rugged-looking and resilient timber as well as for recreational use.

Ponderosa Pine Range

Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Plantae
Division	Pinophyta
Class	Pinopsida
Order	Pinales
Family	Pinaceae
Genus	Pinus
Subgenus	Pinus
Scientific Name	Pinus ponderosa

Western Yellow Pine

Ponderosa Pine Tree

Quick Information

Other Names	Western yellow pine, blackjack pine, bull pine
Subspecies	Southwestern ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa subsp. brachyptera), Columbia ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa subsp. ponderosa), central High Plains ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa subsp. readiana)
Size	Very large; trees reach up to 235 ft in height and 324 inches in circumference
Identification	Leaves (Needles): Slender, flexible, occurring in groups of three, bright green, 12-20 cm long Cones: Orange or yellow male cones, occur in small clusters at the tips of branches; oval and woody female cones, 8-15 cm long; scales have sharp, rigid prickles Bark: Blackish-brown in young trees; yellow to orange-brown with broad, scaly plates in mature trees
Shape at Maturity	Irregular, cylindrical
Distribution/Range	Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, California, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Nebraska, Oregon, Texas, South Dakota, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Washington, Utah (USA); British Columbia (Canada); Coahuila, Sonora (Mexico)
Hardiness Zones	3-7
Growth Rate	Medium; 13-24 in per year
Lifespan	300-600 years
Growing Conditions	Winter Conditions: Tolerates extreme temperatures as low as -40° C Summer Conditions: Average summer temperatures range from 17°-21° C Rain: 280-1700 mm per year Sunlight: Full sun Soil Requirements: Moist, deep, loamy, well-drained, rocky, clayey loam, alkaline, salty, dry; mature trees are highly drought-tolerant
Diseases and Pests	Dwarf mistletoe, black-stain root disease, western red rot, needle cast caused by E. deformans, limb rust, western gall rust, Comandra blister rust; insects like western pine beetle, bark beetle, western pineshoot borer, weevils, pandora moth, pine butterfly cause damage
Flowering/Fruiting	Flowering starts in early May; pollens are shed from late May to mid-June, cones mature during July-August the following year, seeds ripen during August-September, seeds are shed before December
Breeding System	Monoecious
Seed Production	Begins after 7 years, continuing until 350 years of age
Seedling Development	Epigeal germination, older seedlings tolerate limited moisture
Wildlife Value	Chickadees, mourning doves, jays, finches, red-winged blackbirds, squirrels, turkeys, chipmunks feed on ponderosa pine seeds; needles and bark are used as nesting materials by spruce grouse and rodents; also serve as roosting or nesting site for different bird species
Varieties/Cultivars	Pacific ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa var. pacifica), Rocky Mountains ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa var. scopulorum), Washoe pine (Pinus ponderosa var. washoensis)
Uses	For lumber, landscape planting, buffer strip, windbreak; as ornamental trees including bonsai and Christmas trees; wood for making furniture
IUCN Conservation Status	Least Concern

Ponderosa Pine

Ponderosa Pine Pictures

Interesting Facts

A Scottish nurseryman, Charles Lawson has been credited with naming and describing these pines, although their scientific name was first coined by David Douglas in 1829.
The deep taproot system of ponderosa pines makes them wind-resistant.
These pine trees give off a turpentine-like smell, indicating the presence of terpenes such as delta-3-carene, alpha- and beta-pinenes, etc.
In 1953, around 145 ponderosa trees were transported and planted in Area 5 to study the effects of exposure to the nuclear blast during the Operation Upshot-Knothole. The pines were partially damaged and blown over.
The US state of Montana has ponderosa pine as its official tree.

Ponderosa Pine Needles

Ponderosa Pine Bonsai

Ponderosa Pine Cones

Ponderosa Pine Lumber

References:

The post Ponderosa Pine appeared first on Coniferous Forest.

Pine Marten

admin — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 08:01:19 +0000

The pine marten is a slim, agile animal native to the deciduous and coniferous forests across Central and Northern Europe as well as some parts of Asia. This elusive creature is characterized by a soft, silky fur and long, bushy tail, with the males slightly larger as compared to the female pine martens.

Pine Marten Range

Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Carnivora
Family	Mustelidae
Genus	Martes
Scientific Name	Martes martes

European Pine Marten

Pine Marten Images

Quick Information

Other Names	European pine marten, Martre des pins (French), Marta (Spanish)
Size	Body length: 21 in (46-54 cm) Tail length: approximately 10 in (25 cm)
Weight	2-5 lb (0.9-2.2 kg)
Color	Chestnut to dark brown; cream or yellow-colored bib
Distribution	Western Europe to Western Siberia; from Northern Europe to some parts of Asia in the south; Caucasus and Mediterranean islands like Sicily, Corsica, Sardinia, etc. small populations occur in the UK and Republic of Ireland
Habitat	Hollow trees, scrub-covered fields, well-wooded areas
Vocalization	Grunting and twittering sounds; senses of touch and smell for communication
Lifespan	10 years on average; confined martens may live up to 18 years
Diet	Birds, frogs, reptiles, snails, insects, carrion; small mammals like voles and squirrels; sometimes eats nuts, honey, berries, and eggs of birds
Adaptations	Semi-retractable claws help in climbing and running on branches of trees; highly sensitive ears for detecting prey; sharp teeth for cutting through meat and flesh
Number of Offspring	2-5 babies
Breeding Season	July-August
Gestation Period	28 days (average)
Predators	Golden eagles, wolves, wildcats, red foxes
Conservation Status	Least Concern

Pine Marten Pet

Pine Marten Pictures

Behavior

Despite being fast movers on the ground, these nocturnal animals primarily lead an arboreal lifestyle. They are solitary creatures, which often use rock crevices, discarded bird nests, and squirrel nests as hideaways. Pine martens are territorial by nature, and so scent-marking of their home range through deposition of “scats” (feces) in specific locations is a common behavioral trait. However, temporary male-female interactions occur during the mating season and when juvenile martens are raised in the nest.

Pine Marten Size

Pine Marten

Mating and Reproduction

After copulation, an adult female undergoes delayed implantation that generally occurs during February-March. Embryonic development lasts for a month, and then the female pine marten gives birth in either late March or April.

Baby Pine Marten

Pine Martens

Life Cycle

At birth, the offspring are deaf, blind, and helpless, weighing only 30 g. They open their eyes at 34-38 days while weaning takes place six weeks after birth. The young pine martens start leaving their dens when they are 7-8 weeks old but become fully independent at 12-16 weeks. Juveniles attain sexual maturity at 14-15 months of age.

White Pine Marten

Pine Marten Teeth

Interesting Facts

The reintroduction of European pine martens in Ireland and the UK is associated with the decline of gray squirrels, a species considered invasive in Europe.
American martens are also commonly called “pine martens,” although they are distinct from their Eurasian counterparts.
Although they have similar black and twisted scats like foxes, the feces of pine martens can be distinguished by its floral odor.

Pine Marten Skull

Pine Marten Track

References:

The post Pine Marten appeared first on Coniferous Forest.

Northern White Cedar

admin — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 06:24:53 +0000

Northern white cedar also called swamp cedar is an evergreen species of conifers found in eastern Canada and many places in the United States. Since its barks, twigs, and sap are believed to have medicinal properties, it is named “arborvitae” in Latin, meaning “tree of life.” Although northern white cedar is closely related to western red cedar, the two species differ in their geographic range, minutely pointed scales of seed cones, and leaf color.

Northern White Cedar

Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Plantae
Division	Pinophyta
Class	Pinopsida
Order	Pinales
Family	Cupressaceae
Genus	Thuja
Scientific Name	Thuja occidentalis

American Arborvitae

Eastern Arborvitae

Quick Information

Other Names	White cedar, Eastern white cedar, Eastern arborvitae, American arborvitae, Thuier cèdre, Cèdre blanc
Size	Small to medium-sized; average height is 49 ft (15 m), trunk diameter is 2ft 11 in (0.9 m); rare specimens have a height of 125 ft (38 m) and diameter of 5ft 11 in (1.8 m)
Identification	Leaves (Needles): Bright green above, pale green below, 2 mm long, scale-like, abruptly pointed, occurs in alternating pairs, release a spicy scent when crushedCones: Brown, ellipsoid, 9-14 mm long, 8 seeds with lateral wings occur per cone Bark: Red-brown to gray, fibrous; with flat, connected ridges
Shape at Maturity	Conic to pyramidal
Distribution/Range	New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward I (Canada); Kentucky, Indiana, Connecticut, Maine, Illinois, New York, New Hampshire, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, Tennessee, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Vermont (United States)
Hardiness Zones	2-7
Growth Rate	Slow; 6-12 in per year
Lifespan	More than 400 years; specimens from Ontario have lived for over 1,653 years
Growing Conditions	Winter Conditions: Cold, average winter temperature ranges from 10°-24° F (-12° to -4°C)Summer Conditions: Relatively humid, average summer temperature ranges from 60°-72° F (16°-22° C) Rain: From 710-1170 mm per year Sunlight: Full sun/partial shade Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, loamy, slightly alkaline, calcareous soils
Diseases and Pests	Foliage-blight fungi, butt-rot and root-rot fungi; carpenter ants, arborvitae leafminers, spruce spider mite, juniper scale, bagworm, arborvitae weevil, arborvitae aphid
Flowering/Fruiting	Flowering takes place between April and May; conelets grow in late June while cones grow by mid-August, ripening takes place from August-September
Breeding System	Monoecious
Seed Production	Starts after 30 years of age, best produced after 75 years; dispersal of seeds begins in September; seeds fall by November
Seedling Development	Germination starts during May-June of the year after seed dispersal, growth of shoot ends by August-September
Wildlife Value	Habitat for white-tailed deer and several bird species including warblers, kinglets, and white-throated sparrows; preferred by porcupine, red squirrel, snowshoe hare, and white-tailed deer for browse
Varieties/Cultivars	‘Lutea,’ ‘Ellwangeriana,’ ‘Degroot’s Spire,’ ‘Smaragd’ (‘Emerald Green’), ‘Wareana,’ ‘Hetz Wintergreen,’ etc.
Uses	Wood used for lumber, poles, posts, shingles, rustic fencing, and constructing log cabins; essential oil is utilized for soft soaps, hair preparations, cleansers, disinfectants, room sprays, and insecticides
IUCN Conservation Status	Least Concern

Eastern White Cedar

Northern White Cedar Bark

Northern White Cedar Cones

Northern White Cedar Leaf

Interesting Facts

Four cultivars of Northern white cedar such as ‘Smaragd,’ ‘Danica,’ ‘Rheingold,’ and ‘Holmstrup’ have got the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.
It has been traditionally used for construction, crafts, as well as medicine by the Ojibwa people. The twigs were also used for preparing teas to reduce headache and constipation.
In the 1800s, the extract of American arborvitae was topically applied for the removal of thrush, warts, and other skin infections.

Northern White Cedar Tree

Swamp Cedar Trees

Thuja Occidentalis Emerald Green

Thuja Occidentalis

References:

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Siberian Musk Deer

admin — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 07:10:44 +0000

The Siberian musk deer is a species of small, stocky musk deer living in the forested mountainous regions of Northeast Asia. With a kangaroo-like face, long, muscular hind legs, shorter and weaker forelimbs, small chest, highly arched back, and large rear, these animals move in a sequence of coordinated jumps. Unlike other deer species, the male Siberian musk deer do not have antlers but grow fangs during the breeding season.

Siberian Musk Deer Range

Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Artiodactyla
Family	Moschidae
Genus	Moschus
Scientific Name	Moschus moschiferus

Moschus Moschiferus

Russian Fanged Deer

Quick Information

Other Names	Vampire kangaroo deer, Cerf Porte-musc, Chevrotain Porte-musc, Porte-musc (French), Ciervo Almizclero (Spanish)
Subspecies	M. m. moschiferus, M. m. turovi, M. m. arcticus, M. m. sachalinensis, M. m. parvipes
Size	Body length: 2.8-3.3 ft (86-100 cm) Shoulder height: 22-26 in (56-67 cm) Tail length: 1.6-2.4 in (4-6 cm)
Weight	33-37.5 lb (15-17 kg)
Color	Adult: Brown body, gray head; some brown patches around the ears and at the top Juvenile: Dark brown with white or yellowish spots
Distribution	Kazakhstan, Russian Federation, Republic of Mongolia, China, Korea, and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
Habitat	Usually in boreal or coniferous forests at an altitude below 1,600 m; sometimes on shrub covered mountain slopes at heights from 1,900-2,600 m
Vocalizations	A soft hissing sound
Lifespan	3-4 years; captive animals live for a maximum of 20 years
Diet	Pine needles, tree barks, leaves, buds, young shoots, lichens; prefers digestible, nutritious foods with high protein and low fiber content
Adaptations	Long, wide hooves provide extra surface area, keeping it from sinking into snow or soft and soggy surfaces
Number of Offspring	1-2 fawns
Breeding Season	November-December
Gestation Period	185-195 days
Predators	Lynxes, yellow-throated martens, wolverines, and other predators
Conservation Status	Vulnerable

Russian Musk Deer

Siberian Deer

Behavior

These shy and timid musk deer, active at twilight and night, mostly live a solitary life or may form small groups, comprising 2-3 animals. Its migration over short distances is usually from steep mountain slopes to grasslands near streams or river valleys. It communicates with other deer by using the scent of feces.

A male deer marks out its territory by wiping strong-smelling secretions on the surrounding plants and trees. Although this may overlap with the feeding range of one or more females, trespassing of male deer is not allowed, and if it occurs, fights may follow.

Female Siberian Musk Deer

Male Siberian Musk Deer

Mating and Reproduction

During the mating season, adult males produce musk, which when mixed with their urine produces a strong scent that arouses female deer to enter the estrus. Female musk deer remain in estrus for 3-4 weeks. Moreover, the fangs in male deer are used for fighting with other males as well as attracting the females. Stronger and longer teeth are likely to be more appealing to female deer.

After the gestation period, females give birth to their offspring between May and June. Fawning takes place in secluded areas like underneath small branches of trees, beneath dense shrubs, or near fallen trees.

Siberian Musk Deer Baby

Siberian Musk Deer

Life Cycle

Despite reaching sexual maturity at about 1 year and 3 months of age, fawns live with their mothers, depending on them for food and shelter for two years.

Interesting Facts

Since scent plays vital roles in their life, the Siberian musk deer have three scent glands – the caudal glands, the musk gland, and the interdigital gland.
The reddish-brown, waxy musk produced by the Siberian musk deer is a highly priced animal product and thus the deer are hunted for their musk gland.
Juvenile Siberian musk deer suckle in an unusual way. While nursing, the mother deer lifts its hind leg so that the fawn can touch it with its forelegs.

Tusked Deer

Siberian Musk Deer Skull

References

The post Siberian Musk Deer appeared first on Coniferous Forest.

Austrian Pine

admin — Wed, 09 Nov 2016 07:28:22 +0000

The Austrian Pine also called the black pine is one of the toughest pine species widely spread across southern and eastern Mediterranean Europe as well as the mountainous regions of North Africa. These pine trees have gained prominence in the Midwestern US states due to their adaptability, bold texture, and fullness of foliage.

Austrian Pine

Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Plantae
Division	Pinophyta
Class	Pinopsida
Order	Pinales
Family	Pinaceae
Genus	Pinus
Subgenus	Pinus
Scientific Name	Pinus nigra

Austrian Pine Christmas Tree

Austrian Pine Bonsai

Quick Information

Other Names	Corsican Pine, Pin noir (French), Pino Nigro (Spanish)
Subspecies	Pinus nigra subsp. nigra, Pinus nigra subsp. salzmannii, Pinus nigra subsp. laricio, Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana, Pinus nigra subsp. dalmatica
Size	66-180 ft (20-55 m) tall, spread of 20-40 ft at maturity
Identification	Leaves (Needles): Dark green, 4-6 inches long, two needles in each fascicle Cones: Ovoid, 2-4 inches long, scales are rounded; turn from green to yellow-buff or gray-buff upon maturity; dark gray seeds with yellow-buff wings Bark: Gray/yellowish-brown; have scaly plates, fissures increase with age
Tree Type	Evergreen
Distribution/Range	Southern, southeastern, and southwestern Europe; Turkey, Cyprus, northern Morocco, and northern Algeria; from Crimea (Ukraine), through the coastal areas of Black Sea to Krasnodar (Russia)
Hardiness Zones	4-7
Growth Rate	Medium to fast; 13-24 inches per year
Lifespan	Long-lived; more than 500 years
Growing Conditions	Winter Conditions: Can withstand temperatures down to -30° C Summer Conditions: Hot and humid Rain: From 610-1020 mm per year Sunlight: Full sun Soil Requirements: Alkaline, acidic, loamy, sandy, moist, clayey, and well-drained; somewhat tolerant to drought
Diseases and Pests	Root rots caused by Pythium debaryanum, Phytophthora cactorum, and Rhizoctonia solani; Dothistroma needle blight, Diplodia tip blight, Lophodermium needle cast caused by fungal pathogens; pine weevils, beetles, and aphids cause some damage; seedlings are often harmed by rabbits
Flowering/Fruiting	Dispersal of pollens and receptivity of ovulate strobili take place during May-June; staminate strobili fall off within a few week after dispersal; fertilization occurs 12-13 months after pollination
Breeding System	Monoecious
Seed Production	Seeds are borne after reaching 15-40 years; seed dispersal takes place during October-November in the second season
Seedling Development	Easily grows from seeds, can be transplanted
Wildlife Value	Provides nesting sites and shelters for birds including owls; squirrels and numerous bird species feed upon the seeds
Varieties/Cultivars	Austrian pine (‘Austriaca’), Turkish black pine (‘Caramanica’), Italian black pine (‘Italica’), Crimean pine (‘Pallasiana’), Dwarf Austrian pine (‘Hornibrookiana’), Atlas Mountains black pine (‘Mauretanica’), Corsican pine (‘Maritima’), Pyrenean pine (‘Salzmannii’)
Uses	Timber is used for fuel, paper manufacturing, construction; as ornamental trees in parks and gardens; occasionally as bonsai and Christmas trees; also used for windbreaks
IUCN Conservation Status	Least Concern

Austrian Pine Tree

Austrian Pines

Austrian Pine Bark

Austrian Black Pine

Interesting Facts

In the ancient times, the Romans considered the Austrian pines sacred and worshiped the trees.
Shelterbelts comprising millions of Austrian pine trees were planted in the Great Plains to prevent soil erosion during the Dust Bowl.
In New Zealand, Austrian pines are recognized as an invasive species because it displaces or destroys the plant communities inhabiting the tussock grassland.

Black Pine Tree

Dwarf Austrian Pine

Austrian Pine Cone

Austrian Pine Needles

References

The post Austrian Pine appeared first on Coniferous Forest.

Pinyon Pine

admin — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 05:11:04 +0000

Pinyon or Piñon is a species of small to medium-sized pine trees growing at an altitude of 1,400-3,000 m. As a drought-resistant tree, the Pinyon intermixes with junipers and dominates the forests of the semi-desert regions in the southwestern US.

Pinyon Pine

Pinyon Pine Tree

Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Plantae
Division	Pinophyta
Class	Pinopsida
Order	Pinales
Family	Pinaceae
Genus	Pinus
Subgenus	Ducampopinus
Scientific Name	Pinus edulis

Colorado Pinyon Pine

New Mexico State Tree

Pinyon Pine Pictures

Quick Information

Other Names	Colorado pinyon, two-leaf pinyon, two-needle pinyon, nut pine
Size	33-66 ft (10-20 m) tall; trunk diameter of 31 in (80 cm)
Identification	Leaves (Needles): Green, 1.2-2.2 inches long, occur in pairs, moderately stiff, stomata on both the outer and inner surfaces Cones: Egg-shaped, 1.5-2 inches long, reddish-brown, scales are few and not covered with prickles; thin-shelled, edible, large and wingless seeds Bark: Reddish brown, thin, scaly, rough
Tree Type	Evergreen
Distribution/Range	Southern Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, northern Arizona, Utah, California, Oklahoma, the Guadalupe Mountains in Texas
Hardiness Zones	4-8
Growth Rate	Slow; approximately 4 inches per year
Lifespan	Long-lived; up to 1000 years
Growing Conditions	Winter Conditions: Cold, mean January temperatures vary between -10° to 6° C (14° to 43° F) Summer Conditions: Hot, mean July temperatures range from 20°-27° C (68°-81° F) Rain: From 250-560 mm per year Sunlight: Full sun, shade intolerant Soil Requirements: Rocky, low in fertility, well-drained soils with sandstone, granite, limestone, basalt, shale, and mixed alluvium
Diseases and Pests	Red-ring rot, root rots, brown cubical rot; stem diseases such as pinyon dwarf mistletoe and pinyon blister rust; needle rusts, needle casts, and other foliage diseases; insects including mountain pine beetle, pinyon-pitch nodule moth, tiger moth, adelgid, pinyon sawfly, pinyon ips, pinyon cone beetle, etc.
Flowering/Fruiting	Winter buds with strobili are fully formed by October in the first year; staminate cones mature while the ovulate cones become capable of receiving pollens by mid-June the following year, pollination ends in June; fertilization takes place in July of the third year
Breeding System	Monoecious
Seed Production	Produced when it is 75-100 years old
Seedling Development	Germination of seeds occurs in the spring and summer after dispersal; seedlings grow slowly with the primary needles developing in the first year
Wildlife Value	Provides habitat for elk, white-tailed deer, mule deer, desert cottontail, and mountain cottontail; turkeys feed on pinyon nuts while deer browse the tree
Varieties/Cultivars	None; natural hybridization occurs between single leaf pinyon and pinyon in places where their ranges coincide
Uses	Occasionally used as ornamental and Christmas trees; also used for fuelwood, production of railroad ties and mine timbers
IUCN Conservation Status	Least Concern

Piñon Pine

Pinus Edulis

Pinyon Seeds

Interesting Facts

In 1848, the Colorado Pinyons were first described by the German-American botanist George Engelmann.
The US state of New Mexico has Piñon pine as its official state tree.
The pinyon pine is both culturally and economically important for the Native American tribes, who at many places own the rights of harvesting the pine seeds.
The energy-rich pinyon pine seeds containing vitamin E, zinc, calcium, magnesium, iron, and oleic acid have been eaten by the native people for centuries.

Pinyon Pine Cone

Pinyon Pine Needles

Pinyon Pine Nuts

References:

The post Pinyon Pine appeared first on Coniferous Forest.

Pine Beetle

admin — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 11:41:05 +0000

The pine beetle is a member of the subfamily of bark beetles infesting the trees in North American forests. The aggressive tree-killing insects live primarily in pine trees of all vigor quality and ages. Group killing may occur in dense, pure, and even-aged pine stands or among clusters of pine in mixed-conifer stands. An epidemic may cause depletion of timber supplies and increase the danger of forest fire.

Pine Beetle

Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Arthropoda
Class	Insecta
Order	Coleoptera
Family	Curculionidae
Subfamily	Scolytinae

Pine Beetle Species

Some common species of pine beetles include

Mountain pine beetle or Dendroctonus ponderosae: These pine beetles typically live in whitebark, ponderosa, Scotch, jack, limber, and lodgepole pine trees. Normally, they attack old or fragile trees and thus speed up the development of younger forests.
Southern pine beetle or Dendroctonus frontalis: They commonly inhabit loblolly, Virginia, shortleaf, and pond pines, with attacks generally restricted to damaged, stressed, or old trees. During an outbreak, they can also invade healthy trees.
Western pine beetle or Dendroctonus brevicomis: These insects invade and kill Coulter and ponderosa pine trees.
Mexican pine beetle or Dendroctonus mexicanus: Montezuma, Chihuahua, Egg-cone, and Smooth-bark Mexican pine are their primary hosts.

Mountain Pine Beetle

Southern Pine Beetle

Western Pine Beetle

Quick Information

Other Names	Pine bark beetle, Pine borer beetle, Rocky Mountain pine beetle, Black Hills pine beetle
Identification	Size: Approximately 0.2 inch (5 mm) Color: Black, dark brown
Distribution/Range	Mountain pine beetle: from Mexico-central British Columbia Southern pine beetle: southern and southeastern US; Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Arizona, New Mexico; also occurs in Mexico, central America, and northern Nicaragua Western pine beetle: California, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, British Columbia, Nevada, Montana, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and western Texas Mexican pine beetle: from Chihuahua to Oaxaca and Chiapas
Lifespan	About 1 year
Predators	Birds such as woodpeckers; other insects
Stages of Life Cycle	Eggs: shiny, opaque, oval-shaped, approximately 1.5X1.0 mm in size Larvae: legless, wrinkled, 2-7 mm long, yellowish-white Pupae: yellowish-white with red-colored heads Adults: hard exoskeleton, broad, prominent head, rounded abdomen, cylindrical body, short legs
Time to Maturity	26-60 days
Pine Beetle Wood Uses	Commercial value of the timber from beetle-affected trees declines rapidly; the wood can still be utilized for producing cross-laminated panels and glue-laminated products, making crafts and furniture from the blue-stained wood; also used in biofuel or alternative energy production

Infestation

Female beetles start the invasion by selecting the host. They bore into the tree bark, releasing pheromones, which attract more females and males to the tree. As more pheromones are produced by the attacking beetles, a mass attack occurs overcoming the resin production system, which is the defense mechanism of the tree. Long S-shaped galleries are constructed soon after mating and about 30 eggs are laid in cavities along each gallery.

Pine Bark Beetle Control

Pine Bark Beetle

Life Cycle

Eggs hatch 3-9 days after they are laid. The larvae cut through the inner phloem, constructing looping galleries perpendicular to the egg galleries. During their developmental stage, they gradually move towards the outer bark, forming a pupal cell. After remaining in the pupal stage for 5-17 days, they become callow adults. The young adults stay under the bark until their cuticle becomes dark and hard. Then they fly off to invade another tree by boring a tunnel through the outer bark.

Pine Bark Beetle Infestation

Pine Beetle Larvae

Control and Treatment

Small-scale infestations can be managed by using the following techniques

Sanitation harvesting: Single infested pine trees can be removed to prevent the beetles from spreading to other areas.
Fall and burn: The infested trees are cut and burned to reduce their spreading population.
Pheromone baiting: Beetles are lured into a single area using a synthetic hormone, which has the same smell of female beetles. This helps in destroying the beetles more easily.
Pesticides: Spraying trees with pesticides including bifenthrin, permethrin, and carbaryl is useful in preventing pine beetle attacks on high-value trees. Biopesticides like chitosan can be used to protect trees from beetle infestations.

Pine Beetle Pictures

Beetle Kill Pine Lumber

Interesting Facts

Extreme winter conditions affect beetle populations and can slow down their spread.
The current beetle epidemic in the RMNP, Colorado started in 1996, and since then it has destroyed millions of acres of pine trees.
Popcorn-shaped lumps of resin, known as “pitch tubes,” are visible in the outer bark of trees that are infested with beetles.
When invaded by beetles, a tree remains green initially, but its needles gradually turn red.

Pine Borer Beetles

References

The post Pine Beetle appeared first on Coniferous Forest.