Oregon White Oak (Quercus Garryana) QUEGAR
Oregon white oaks are native to Oregon and are often found in woodlands, prairies, and savannas. This broadleaf deciduous tree can reach up to heights of 90 ft and has a characteristic mushroom canopy when found in open prairies, but when in woodlands the species develops a straight, narrow crown. The bark of the Oregon white oak is thick and resistant to fire. The Kalapuyan people historically maintained this species with periodic fire. Oregon white oaks are dispersed in a variety of climates including areas with moderate to extreme drought; however, it is also resistant to damage from cold. The species is common around sea levels of elevations up to 3800 ft.
California Black Oak (Quercus kelloggii) QUEKEL
This oak is a part of the red oak section of oak trees and is native to the American northwest. The tree typically grows to be between 30-80 ft in height with a 5 ft diameter. When the surrounding area allows, the crown is broad and rounded, and lower branches reach low, sometimes touching the ground. The bark of the tree is dark and starts thin and smooth, but as the tree ages the bark becomes more thick and fissured. The tree produces relatively large acorns that survived as a food source for the Kalapuyan people. The leaves of the tree are lobbed and typically 4-8 inches long. The California black oak can live up to 500 years of age.
Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) PSEMEN
Douglas-fir is a large, native conifer reaching up to 250 ft tall and is one of the most valuable timber products in Oregon. The needles are flat and spirally arranged around the branch. Douglas-fir can be found in extremely dry, low elevation zones and up to areas of 5000 ft. The species dominates many forests in Oregon including both hardwood and mixed conifer forests. It can germinate in the shade of other trees but prefers direct sunlight and mineral soil. Douglas-fir is also an extremely fire resistant tree with thick bark that enables the tree to survive wildfires and reseeds after burns. One of the most prominent identifying features of this species are the seed cones which are up to three inches long with papery, three pronged bracts emerging from between the scales. The mature cones of Douglas-fir shed wind dispersed seeds that can travel up to a quarter of a mile and establish in new areas. The rise of fire suppression in native woodlands and prairies has facilitated the establishment of seedlings in areas where the species was few and far between before.
Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) CRAXXX
Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) is a highly invasive deciduous shrub with sharp, dense thorns. Native to the north temperate zone with a number of shrubs and small trees in the rose family. The shrub is notorious for forming large hedges with sturdy twigs, hard wood, and thorns. Crataegus spp. have small ovate leaves, clusters of dense white flowers, with small apple-like haws. Common hawthorne is spread by birds into open fields and forests to make dense thickets of thorns. This species of hawthorne has been naturalized into the Willamette Valley and Pacific Northwest, to across the eastern United States. Seedlings and saplings of hawthorn can be managed when young, but mature trees can quickly grow deep and stout.
Rose (Rosa spp) ROSXXX
Roses are climbing, erect shrubs with stems armed to the brim with prickles, or thorns, of variable sizes. Wild roses typically have five petals, cultivated roses are hybridized for their beauty and scent. The leaves are compound, alternate, and have sharply toothed leaflets. The fruit is referred to as a “hip” with fleshy texture and red to orange by season. Rose species can be highly aggressive invasives that take over open woodlands, pastures, and forest edges. It reproduces by seed dispersal and layering, a technique used by stems to establish roots. Manual removal, mastication, and chemical means of control are used in combination to manage the spread of thickets.
Camas (Camassia quamash) CAMQUA
Camas is a part of the liliaceae family which is a diverse plant family that has been divided into around 30 separate families. The plant is a stout, robust plant 12-28 in tall with a dense inflorescence. Camas leaves are 4-24 in long. The bulbs produced by camas plants can be up to 2 in in diameter. These bulbs were considered a delicacy by many native american tribes. The bulbs could be steamed or pit cooked for several days and then ground into a meal that could be mixed with water to create a variety of foods. Camas ranges across the west coast of America and up into British Columbia. Today, collection of camas in the wild is strongly discouraged because camas are threatened or endangered in many parts of the country.
Oregon Iris (Iris tenax) IRITEN
this species of iris is native to northwestern Oregon and south western Washington. The plant has large and showy lavender-blue flowers that bloom mid spring. A mature Oregon iris csn reach between 1-2 ft in height. Additionally, being an Oregon native plant and having adapted to the wild fires, the Oregon iris is fire resistant. It is most commonly found along roadsides, grasslands, or forest openings at lower elevations. The leaves of the plant are slender, only around 5mm broad, but very strong which is where it gets the name tenax, which means “tough”. The plant was used by indigenous tribes to build snares and cordage.
Poison Oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum) TOXDIV
Pacific poison oak is a medium shrub or tree climbing vine that commonly occurs in grasslands and dense temperate forests. The deciduous shrub has three ovate leaflets that are red in the sun with brown woody stems. All parts of poison oak contain urushiol, an oil that causes severe inflammation and itchiness of the skin. Damage is usually required for poison oak to release urushiol, but it is best to minimize any contact with the allergen. Safe practices to remedy poison oak contact were used with a prioritization of well-being. Although poison oak is native to the western United States, mechanical or chemical control is required due to health hazards associated with burning.
Blackberry (Rubus spp) RUBXXX
Armenian blackberry (Rubus armeniacus) is a dense evergreen shrub that forms impenetrable thickets and can reach up to 30 ft high. Leaves persist all year long and occur in groups of three to five, in addition to seasonal black fruits popular for taste. Considered the most invasive shrub across the West Coast, it reproduces via rhizomes, seed, and root crowns. Blackberry prefers moist well-drained soils in low-elevation riparian and conifer communities. This species requires persistence maintenance with an integration of mowing, fire, mastication, and manual removal. Fire is not often effective alone to remove the deep rhizomes, so a combination of digging and manual removal can be required.
Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium) BERAQU
Oregon grape is an upright, evergreen shrub that can reach heights of up to 10 ft tall. The leaves of the Oregon grape are alternately arranged on the branch with five to seven leaflets. These leaves are a deep green, and have spiked edges similar to holly (Ilex spp). The species prefers partial sun; however, it can also grow in full sun or shade. The Oregon grape spreads underground using rhizomes. During the spring the shrub has erect, yellow, and fragrant flowers which attract various pollinators. These flowers produce clusters of small, purple berries.
Osoberry (Oemleria cerasiformis) OEMCER
Osoberry is a multi stemmed shrub that can reach up to 20 ft high. This plant is one of the first to leaf out in the beginning of spring and the dangling clusters of small, white flowers support various pollinators. The oval fruits will appear in the late summer as a yellow or gold color and turn dark blue in the fall. Osoberry is generally found in moist woodlands and along waterways in the Pacific Northwest. Although this species favors moist soil, it is also quite drought tolerant. The leaves of the osoberry are oblong in shape and are arranged oppositely along the branch.