Trees:
Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) PSEMEN
- Douglas-firs are one of Oregon’s most common native conifers. They can usually grow to be about 250ft tall and can be about 5-7ft wide. They have flat needles that are spirally arranged around each branch. They prefer acidic or neutral soils and can compete on most parent materials, aspects, and slopes. Douglas-firs prefer to grow in full sunlight, which is part of the reason why they have outcompeted most Oregon White oaks on this site. Once they reach their adult height, they shade out the oaks and their own juvenile forms.
Bigleaf maple (Acer Macrophyllum) ACEMAC
- Bigleaf maples are large deciduous trees that usually grow faster when they’re young and slow down with age, being 45-70 feet tall. These trees prefer moist slightly acidic, well-drained soils. They can usually be found around rivers or at the bottoms of foothills, but they can tolerate dry sites as well. They grow best in full sun to partial shade.
Oregon White oak (Quercus garryana) QUEGAR
- Oregon White oaks can be characterized by their large mushroom-shaped canopy which can be anywhere from 30-70ft if unrestricted. They can reach heights of 50-90 feet and prefer to grow in full sun. These trees prefer to grow in well-drained, dry soils at lower elevations with limited confider competition. They’re drought resistant and can even be found on dry rocky slopes, but will most commonly be seen in open savannahs.
Pacific Madrone (Arbutus menziesii) ABRMEN
- Pacific Madrone is a broadleaf evergreen tree that can be anywhere from 16 to 130ft tall. They are often found on dry sunny sites on bluffs with very well-drained soil. They grow best in full to partial sun, commonly seeking southwest exposure. These trees can be easily identified by their deciduous red/orange bark and cool woody feel.
Sweet cherry (Prunus avium) PRUAVI
- Sweet cherries are a short-lived medium-sized deciduous tree. They grow 30-60ft tall and can be 25-35ft wide. These trees prefer well-drained soil and can be found in moist forests and along streams. They can grow in full sun or partially shady conditions. They’re often found in second-growth forests or areas recently disturbed as they’re fast growing and seed in easily.
Shrubs:
Nootka rose (Rosa nutkana) ROSNUT
- Nootka roses are taller shrubs, growing between 2-10ft tall. They have pink flowers and bright red hips. Their leaves are alternatively arranged and pinnately compound growing in leaflets of 5-9. These shrubs prefer moderately fertile and well-drained soils. They can tolerate both sun and shade, but grow best in dry and moist forest communities.
Darf Oregon grape (Berberis nervosa) BERNER
- Darf Oregon grapes grow to a maximum height of about 2ft tall and can be anywhere from 11-17 inches long. It has evergreen leaflets that grow in groups of 9-19. Each leaflet is strongly toothed, with fan-like veins. This shrub prefers to grow in fast-draining soil but can tolerate both dry and moist soil conditions. They prefer to grow on shady north-facing slopes but can be found in direct sunlight as well.
Salal (Gaultheria shallon) GAUSHA
- Salal can grow to be 4-10ft tall, in shade and good soil. It has simple round/ovular leaves, with a dull green color in the fall and red color in the winter. This shrub prefers rich moist or well-drained soils. It grows best in partial shade but can tolerate direct sunlight. It is commonly found in the understory of coniferous forests.
Poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum) TOXDIV
- Poison oak can grow 1-13ft tall as a shrub and 10-30ft tall as a vine. Its trunk can be anywhere from 3-7 inches wide. This shrub is characterized by its leaflets of 3, which turn from bright green to red in the fall. Its leaflets produce oil in the spring that causes allergic reactions if one is to come into contact with it. Poison oak can grow on acidic dry to moist soils. Its vine form prefers shady areas, while its shrub forms are more commonly found in full sunlight.
Blackberry (Rubus armeniacus) RUBARM
- This broadleaf evergreen shrub can grow up to 10ft tall and 32ft long. Its leaflets of 5 are sharply toothed with a prickly stem. It produces red or black berries in clusters as well as flower clusters of 5-20. This shrub is an invasive species that attacks conifer communities. Although it can grow in a variety of conditions, it spreads fastest on moist well-drained soils that are in full sunlight.