My Weekly Nature Question is about my asking for help from the blogosphere (and other internet users) to learn about species living in Angeles Forest and to share that learning with others. I’m really hoping that this turns out to be a viable and meaningful way to share knowledge.
The answer to last week’s bird question turned out to be a White-breasted Nuthatch. More information on this bird is now on it’s page in the Forest Life section of this blog and will be updated as new information is shared.
I’d like to extend thanks to:
Blogger gacochran of the blog Along The Way who first identified the species and blogger Westerner54 of the blog Off the Beaten Path: Hikes, Backpacks, and Travels for confirming the identification.
Although nobody sent me any further information, I did notice an excellent post from Sue of the blog Backyard Biology. You can find a link to that post on the White-breasted Nuthatch page mentioned above or the reference page I created for her blog.
This Week’s Question: What species of tree is this?
July 2011
Photo taken near the summit of Mt. Baden-Powell
July 2011
Photo taken near the summit of Mt. Baden-Powell
The sign in the photos indicates that the tree is dedicated to “Michael H. “Wally” Waldron for his untiring efforts for the Boy Scouts of America” and that the tree is “believed to be 1,500 years old.” The sign doesn’t indicate the species, so I’m asking for your help.
Hiking Angeles Forest 
I have nominated you for the Liebster award check out my post with all the rules and information! I just love what you are doing here!
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Thanks, it’s great to learn you like what I’m doing. In many ways I’m also “hiking to healthy” having dropped a lot of weight myself. I see it as a positive side effect to doing something I enjoy–an indulgence. So, I love what you’re doing as well. Keep it up! I’m following your progress and rooting for you to succeed. I haven’t participated in past awards. I’m considering starting to participate if I come up with a good way to integrate it into my focus on the forest. Thanks again!
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Great! Keep doing what you love, because I love reading about it!!!
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I just decided on a way (a first step anyway) to participate in the awards. Here’s what I’ve come up with: https://hikingangelesforest.com/awards-2/ Thanks again!
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I like it! A great way to to work with it!
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Hi, I promoted your blog on mine this morning. I get an email each time you publish, and thoroughly enjoy what you do. It’s the Blog of the Year award if you do such awards … but the value, I think, is that you get a (somewhat) broader exposure as I promote you to a wider audience. In any event, thanks for what you do!
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Wow, thanks! Obviously it feels great to learn someone likes my work enough to promote it. I haven’t participated in past awards but I’m considering starting with this one. I just need to think through how to integrate it into my focus on the forest. Thanks again!
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My naturalist tells me that bristlecones don’t grow in southern California, so I don’t believe that is the right ID. Mt. Baden Powell is known for its Limber Pines, which is the correct identification..
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Thanks for checking in with your naturalist! Knowing bristlecones don’t grow in southern CA is helpful to be confident in the Limber Pine ID.
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Dave called it. It’s a limber pine. For those who said bristlecone, that particular species grows at high elevations in the White Mountains on the east side of the Owens Valley.
Limber pines bear a superficial resemblance to lodgepole pines, which share the same habitat and also attain similar, twisted shapes above 9,000′. The difference with the limber pine is that its branches are flexible, often so much so that one can tie them in a loose knot, hence the name. This adaptation allows the tree to shed heavy snow accumulations that tend to break off the branches of less flexible trees.
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Here’s an image that shows how flexible the tree can be.
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Great info Scott, and I appreciate the picture. If I recall correctly, you’ve seen this tree in person. I didn’t test out the twisting of the branches, but will so next time I’m there.
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I should mention that I didn’t try to twist the branches because I didn’t know to do so.
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One of the rewards of learning this stuff is that it deepens the experience. I never miss a chance to twist a limber pine branch or take a whiff of Jeffrey pine. All these little quirks and oddities make the natural world that much more interesting.
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I agree, the more you know tends to deepen the experience. I’m really looking forward to learning more!
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The appearance and age would point towards Bristlecone Pine. While 1500 years is not unheard of for a Limber Pine, Bristlecones have no trouble reaching that age.
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Thanks for participating in answering this question.
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Limber Pine. Usually found above 9000 feet ASL.
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Thanks for identifying this tree for me!
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I think that’s a Bristlecone Pine…they thrive only at high elevation, and are among the longest living organisms. The twisty roots are an indication…older trees often look less like trees and more like sculptures. I was lucky enough to visit an ancient grove this fall in the Inyo NF.
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Thanks for trying to identify it. Although it turned out to be a Limber Pine, you’ve made me want to find my way to the ancient grove of Bristlecone Pines in Inyo NF.
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I think it might be a Bristlecone Pine. They are thought to live as long as 5000 years, which accounts for their twisted and gnarled shapes.
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Thanks for trying to identify it. I appreciate your participation!
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