September is peak conifer cone ripeness throughout the western U.S for dozens of species of pines, firs, and spruces. Locally, in the upper reaches of the Icicle River watershed, whitebark pinecones project from the tops of trees. The cones are deep red and covered in resin so they glisten in the sun. The seeds are large and desirable food sources for a variety of native wildlife. Continue Reading →
Have you made time to go “larching?” The word is a bit silly, but gaining popularity in Washington as more and more of us anticipate the turn-of-season by our two species of deciduous conifers. Continue Reading →
The onset of needed rain in Washington’s Cascades also brings gray skies and a monochromatic feel to our day. Last week, my family hiked to Easy Pass in the North Continue Reading →
Washington’s only native deciduous conifer is western larch. Each spring, new needles grow. “Gus” is the champion tree, largest of its species, growing near Seely Lake, Montana Continue Reading →
East Wenatchee resident and Wenatchee Naturalist, Keith Minard, enrolled in the fall 2018 course as a retiree, wanting to rekindle his childhood habit of keeping a field journal. He dug Continue Reading →
Fall is a great time to start to learn more about our native trees, especially conifers. And, a new phone app allows you to carry a field guide in your Continue Reading →
This morning, a 2017 Eastmont High School graduate and summer intern at the Wenatchee World, Hunter Brawley, came along on his first-ever bird-watching outing. He used his camera to capture Continue Reading →
Many local families have long traditions around the species of native conifer selected to be a Christmas tree. We annually purchase a USFS permit, make a ski trek, and cut down Continue Reading →
Time for birds and small mammals to harvest conifer seeds Late August means that a new crop of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) seeds are ripe. The seeds begin the grow Continue Reading →
The sharp scent of fresh-cut pine is a signature of the holidays and reminds us of our deep human connection to conifer trees. Our Eastside Cascade forests are home to Continue Reading →