Walking with Shasta Red Fir

Here are a few pics from the only backpacking trip I had the time to get to this year. A last reminder of heat and sun as the current rain plummets on my roof.

This is around the Seven Lakes/Rouge Wilderness area of S.Oregon.
Humidity was about 10% or so and the only conversation at night was the whine of a myriad of insects. Not even a breeze and hot through the wee hours.

The trees around the lake (Mtn Hemlock, Shasta Red Fir, some Douglas Fir) I would estimate to be 50-70 years old but barely 40 ft tall. Though, the age probably has a lot to do with when the ridge around the lake (Alta) last burned. (I'm not sure when that was.) Also contributing to the size of the trees is the soil and environmental conditions. Not too easy to thrive in rocky, higher altitude soils that are on the metallic side -including lots of snow pack and fierce wind. But it goes to show the tenacity of trees.

We did get through some of last year's burn on the Middle Fork of the Rouge. It seems fire is still thought of in most circles as a bad thing. I suppose it is all how you look at it (ecologically or economically).
Forests and their trees need fire.


Shasta Red Fir!

Some tree tips:
As far as our local trees here in the Portland Metro area, we don't want to see fire but that's not a concern for several months. However, that brings up the idea that "wildfire" could happen here (i.e.Forest Park).
It's best to maintain and care for your trees as a preventative from harm any time of year.
You can prune to remove dead wood and prune your trees to give clearance from home (siding, wooden shingles, and chimneys.) It is always a good idea to remove invasive shrubs and trees from your property, as well as sickly or overly suppressed trees.
Though with the current Winter season on the way, now is the time to inspect large trees for lean, and to keep an eye on the wind and rain. Soil saturation and high wind can lead to windthrow of some trees.
Yes, we work all year and Winter is a great time to prune your trees.

Tree Philosophy

Every once in a while we need to step back and focus our attention. With this idea I ask: What is my responsibility as an arborist, business owner and therefore a fellow community member?

I am in a position to care for our urban environment (albeit, one tree at a time). I am in contact with friends, neighbors and those I haven't met, where I can hopefully share my child-like wonder for trees. (After all we are all young at heart, its just that we forget. )
As a business owner I can practice ethically and make decisions that promote stewardship.

We are poised in time where we can choose to wither on the vine or thrive. We can choose to go with the status quo, or we can blaze a new path. We can choose to speak up, or worry about what others will think of us. We can choose to fight or choose to cower.
We can choose ! and that means a lot. That means the rest of your life. What are you going to do with your choices today?

"Self-knowledge is best learned, not by contemplation, but by action. Strive to do your duty and you will soon discover of what stuff you are made." -Johann Goethe



"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-

I took took the one less traveled by,

and that has made all the difference."- Robert Frost