Page 13 - full mag fall 2017 flip

Friends oF red rock canyon 13

By Margie Klein

hy is it that in the fall we start conifer refers to a large group of evergreen
W thinking about pine trees? Maybe trees with needle- or scale-like leaves, often
it’s the approaching winter holidays and confused for pines, but includes junipers,
visions of graceful, draping pine boughs, cedars, yews, sequoias, firs and spruce.
heavy with snow. But pine trees are attrac- In Red Rock, non-pine conifers are repre-
tive year-round - evergreen and always sented by the Utah juniper. The Joshua tree,
beautiful. Many people love pines for which is a yucca and not a conifer, is also
their soft needles, giving the ambience of sometimes confused for a pine.
a gentle forest. In a desert, their appear-
ance is surprising and welcome. Pines are You can see pinyon pines associated with
important in our landscapes, history and junipers at mid-elevations in the Spring
culture. They’ve been around for a very Mountains, with ponderosa at higher eleva-
long time and we make good use of them tions. Both can be found in canyons where
in our homes. Who hasn’t seen pine cabins there is abundant occasional water flow,
and pine furniture, conveying that outdoor such as Willow Spring, Lost Creek and
lifestyle? The crisp and invigorating scent Pine Creek.
of pine is used to freshen things up. Pine
needles are used for tea, sap is used for If you’re going to participate in Tan-
liniment, and certain seeds (pine nuts) are nenbaum traditions this year, remember
edible. that trees cannot be harvested at Red Rock
Canyon, and a permit is required to har-
But what is a pine? A pine is a pine, vest on other Bureau of Land Management
right? Except that it’s not always a pine. (BLM) lands. Lincoln County is the closest
The two species of pine that grow in Red place where the cutting of pine and juniper
Rock Canyon are the single-leaf pinyon and is allowed – contact the BLM’s Caliente
the ponderosa. Pinyon pine is one of two field office. Then again, why not adopt an
Nevada state trees and the source of those already-cut tree?
rich-flavored pine nuts used in cooking.
Ponderosa pines, sometimes called yellow Either way, be sure to recycle the tree
pines, are quite large and have a distinctive when you’re done. Maybe we should start a
bark that separates into plates and smells society for the appreciation of pine trees.
like a caramel sundae. There are also coni-
fers in the area that look similar. The term Respect the pine.

“Pine Forest” - Joe Pohle

Fall 2017