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| Octopus Tree |
Wolf Trees
The simplest definition of a wolf tree is as follows: a very large forest tree that has a wide-spreading
crown and inhibits or prevents the growth of smaller trees around it. Having said that, there is so much more to the amazing beauty and complexity of these enormous beings.
"And yes, all these years later, there’s still something beautiful in
these gnarled old forms. There is no symmetry, no youthfulness, but
there is a sense of history and mystery, of stories from another time
and stories yet to be told. These charismatic old trees witnessed the
return of the forest. They remind us that the story of this landscape,
and the animals on it, is still unfolding."
From
A Place for Wolf Trees.
For a great article on the value of wolf trees and some amazing photos of northeastern wolf trees, check out this link to
A Place For Wolf Trees.
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| Raccoon Tree (see them peeking out?) |
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| See them now? |
The study in the article above found that wolf trees provide old growth features in a young forest and provided excellent wildlife value.
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| Forest highways |
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| Doug's Tree |
The Pacific Yew Tree
It is so easy to walk by it. I have, many times. But this spring, I plan to harvest the growing tips and really value this medicinal tree that grows side by side with more captivating trees.
"The Pacific Yew tree (Taxus brevifolia), is found exclusively in
the Pacific Northwest region of the United States ( Montana , Idaho , Oregon
and Washington ). Pacific Yew Tree (Taxus Brevifolia) contains taxanes,
naturally occurring compounds scientifically proven to suppress abnormal cell
growth and invigorate the immune system.
Taxol is one of the most promising of more than 120,000 plant
compounds tested for anti-cancer properties. Research
shows that the Pacific Yew (Taxus brevifolia) is a rich source of beneficial
phyto-chemicals (plant compounds and phytosterols) that are known to be
health-promoting.
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| Yew Tree |
These constituents are concentrated in the branch tips during the
growing season which is the harvesting period. Compounds include; taxanes (also
known as diterpenes), which are unique to the Pacific Yew tree, lignans
(lariciresinol and taxiresinol), which have been found to exert significant
antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities,
flavonoids (quercitin, rhamnetin, sciadopitysin), recognized for
anti-inflammatory, anti-allergenic, antiviral and antibacterial properties.
The ancient Pacific Yew tree was a valuable source of traditional
medicine for Native Americans and pioneers of the Pacific Northwest . Medicines
were made from various parts of the Yew tree and included tea, made from leaves
and bark." Information from: http://www.yohimbebark.net/immune.html
Winter Cottonwoods
On another note, this last summer, I was captivated by the floating cotton of the Fairbanks cottonwoods. It was truly magical. This January, I took a trip to visit my 88 year old and failing mom in Albuquerque. It was a lonely and taxing trip. But my eye was repeatedly delighted by the elegance of the winter cottonwoods. The southwestern colors and the negative spaces of these gorgeous trees gave me beauty to balance the stuffy air of the assisted living home. I am in gratitude for their existence on this planet.
People often think island life is quiet and perhaps full of solitude. That is no doubt true for many people. But not for me. My life here is fragmented between social engagements, trying to stay fit, trying to eat local and do the right thing, trying to keep our Grange alive, connecting with family and friends, and of course, the one that always falls through the cracks, nurturing creativity. 
