Native Trees and Flowers

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.