TREES
The vegetation common to the habitat in and around Squaw Valley are specially
adapted to the soils that formed from the physical and chemical weathering
of granite and volcanic rock types. Soils derived from granite and volcanic
parent materials are similar in chemical composition but quite different
in physical composition. Granitic soils are coarse-grained and fast draining
and are typically nutrient poor. Volcanic soils are more often fine-grained
and slow draining and tend to hold nutrients much better than the granite
soils. Several types of native trees grow particularly well with this
combination of soil types.
California Red Fir – The red fir is a stately
tree with a rich reddish bark found at upper elevations in the Sierra
Nevada. These trees generally grow between 60-210 feet tall and have short,
thick symmetrical branches. Needles grow to about 1” and the tree’s
cones grow to 8" long. Red fire trees host numerous species of birds
including nuthatches, woodpeckers, and chickadees.
Jeffrey & Ponderosa Pines - Jeffrey pine was first
classified as a variety of ponderosa pine as both trees have similar wood
properties. Jeffrey pine may live 400 to 500 years and can attain immense
size. On the best sites, individuals typically grow to 4 to 6 feet in
diameter and 170 to 200 feet in height. The largest Jeffrey pine recorded
in the western Sierra Nevada had a diameter of 7.5 feet and a height of
175 feet. Needles are in bundles of three and are 7 to 11 inches long.
Cones are long and oval, 6 to 10 inches long and are smooth to the touch.
Jeffrey pine bark is deeply furrowed and reddish-brown in color and has
a distinct vanilla or pineapple odor. Ponderosa pine bark is more orange-colored
and lacks any distinct smell. Also, Ponderosa pine cones have sharp spines
and are very prickly to handle.
White Fir – White fir trees can grow to be 130
to 150 feet tall and about 3 to 4 feet in diameter. The oldest white fir
trees may live to be 350 years old. Needles on white fir trees are small
and narrow and grow in rows. White fir needles are about 1/2 to 1 1/2
inches long and are pointed at the tip. Young needles are bluish-green
and older needles turn a dull green color. The bark of young white fir
trees is thin, smooth, and gray. As the tree gets older, the bark becomes
thicker and turns a reddish-brown to light gray color. White fir cones
are cylindrical, 2 to 5 inches long at maturity, and grow upward from
branches near the tops of the tree.
Lodgepole Pine - The lodgepole pine has a very flexible
wood that was once used by the native people to build tepees and lodges,
hence its name. These tall, slender trees can grow 70-110 feet tall and
live for about 150 years. Needles come in bundles of two, 1 1/2 to 3 inches
long, and are very twisted and yellow-green to green in color. Lodgepole
cones are small (1 to 3 inches) with prickly scales.
Sierra Juniper – This is a very striking tree
common to the harsh climate of the higher elevations. The sturdy trunk
grows gnarled and twisted over time due to the high winds of the upper
elevations. The cinnamon colored, deeply grooved bark adds to the unique
features of the tree. The Sierra Juniper grows on rocky outcrops, snaking
its roots through crevices in the granite rock.
Mountain Hemlock - Mountain hemlock trees are narrowly
conical and grow up to 90 feet in height. This conspicuous tree grows
mostly on shady, moist slopes and has blue-green leaves up to 1 inch long.
The branches and treetop typically droop downward. Young vegetation is
characteristically purple, darkening as the tree ages.
COMMON WILDFLOWERS
Squaw Valley’s mountain terrain provides many unique micro-environments
that host numerous different types of flowering plants. Along your hike
you will have time to discover the colorful beauty of many wildflowers
that decorate Squaw Valley’s mountain landscape. Keep your eyes
peeled for these common flowers:
Mule Ears: These flowers are very common throughout
Lake Tahoe and are known to cover entire hillsides with its large yellow
flowers and gray-green leaves. Each 1-3’ plant bears several 3”
bright yellow flowers, but the long “mule-ear” leaves are
this plant’s most conspicuous feature.
Lupine: There are literally hundreds of varieties of
lupines growing in California. In Squaw Valley several species proliferate
in drier areas with poor soil qualities. Flowers are typical of the pea
family and form a banner and keel in a variety of shades of blue and white.
The leaves are palmate, fuzzy, and light green. Lupines at high elevations
typically grow as dense ground cover and hug the ground surface. Lower
elevation lupines grow more upright. Lupines are a favorite food source
for butterflies.
Indian Paintbrush: A member of snapdragon family, paintbrush
grows on dry slopes and has brilliant waxy, red-orange foliage. Paintbrush
grows erect and can be quite tall (2-3 ft.). To compensate for reduced
leaf surface area, paintbrush is commonly parasitic on the roots of other
plants which helps it gather needed nutrients and water.
Buckwheat: Squaw Valley hosts numerous species of buckwheat
which typically grow prostrate on exposed, dry slopes. The early season
green foliage fades to deep orange, ochre and brown as summer turns towards
fall. Tiny yellow/white “crepe-paper” flowers grow at the
end of long stems that originate from the oval basal leaves.
Penstemon: Numerous species of penstemon grow in the
Sierras and most are quite showy with bright red-purple flowers. They
typically grow on rocky slopes and form dense mats of color. Also members
of the snapdragon family, penstemon has two flower petals turned upward
and three petals turned downward to form the characteristic flower tube.
Mariposa Lily: The Mariposa lily is common to drier
areas of the Sierras and quickly recognizable because of its large, showy
white/yellow flower. The flower has three leaves and typically a dark
brown and/or yellow spot deep with the flower to indicate its’ nectar
source. Popular among bumble bees, the Mariposa lily is a favorite of
most alpine botanists.
Mountain Elderberry: The mountain elderberry is conspicuous
on rocky, talus slopes and has bright white flowers. The flowers are actually
quite small but grow in large dense clusters that can be visible for long
distances. Bright red berries form in the early fall.
**Special thanks to forest ecologist Bob Wright and Laird Blackwell author
of Wildflowers of the Tahoe Sierra for their contributions.
