December 1941

NATURE NOTES VOL. XX

December, 1941 No. 12

THE MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE YOSEMITE NATURALIST DEPARTMENT AND THE YOSEMITE NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION

F. A. Kittredge, Superintendent C. F. Brockman, Park Naturalist M. E. Beatty, Assoc. Park Naturalist H. C. Parker, Junior Park Naturalist

VOL. XX DECEMBER, 1941 NO. 12 ANNIVERSARY

By Frank A. Kittredge, Superintendent With this issue we complete our twentieth year of publication of Yosemite Nature Notes, which was originated by Mr. Ansel Hall in July 1922, as a mimeographed publication. Mr. Hall, the first man to hold the position of park naturalist, was one of the pioneers in this field, and much of the interpretive work being carried on in Yosemite as well as in other national parks stems from his early efforts. This proved unit in our program of interpretation of the varied interests of this region. Too, during the past iginated by Mr. Ansel Hall in July, twenty years one finds in these 1922, as a mimeographed publication pages the names of many people tion. Mr. Hall, the first man to hold who have been affiliated with im- the position of park naturalist, was portant matters of policy upon which one of the pioneers in this field, and the high standards of public service much of the interpretive work being in the national parks and monu- carried on in Yosemite as well as in ments have been built. In addition other national parks stems from his the names of many eminent educa- early efforts. tors and scientists indicate a wide NATURE NOTES was later undertak- professional interest in that basic en as a printed monthly journal, be- national park idea which seeks a de- ginning with the January 1925 num- velopment of broad public under- ber, by Dr. Carl P. Russell, who suc- standing of the fundamental laws ceeded Mr. Hall as park naturalist and forces of nature as expressed in in 1923. Throughout his years in that the dramatic, inspirational quality of capacity, as well as during the suc- the scenic beauty in the national ceeding period of 1929-1940, when parks. Mr. C. A. Harwell so successfully di- Thus, those of us who are now en- rected the interpretive activities of trusted with future developments in Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Yosemite recognize in this anniver- NATURE NOTES has continuously de- sary of Yosemite Nature Notes the veloped. One has but to glance responsibilities which are embodied through past issues to observe how in a continuance of the very able it has expanded into a gradually im- work of our predecessors.

NATURE NOTES YOSEMITE'S LIVING CHRISTMAS TREES

By C. Frank Brockman, Park Naturalist Upon the Sierra uplands, of which from two to five—makes this group Yosemite National Park is a part, of trees easy to recognize. The grow a galaxy of cone-bearing ever- greens, dominate the forests of Yosemite National greens, many of which will have rep- National Park both from the standpoint resentatives in numerous homes of general abundance and the number, throughout the nation during the ap- number of individual species. Nine of proaching Christmas season. From our sixteen native conifers are of the rolling foothills of the lower ele- elevations, and they run the gamut vations of the park to the ragged of the widely diversified soil, moiscrests at timberline are found sixteen ture and climatic conditions which species of living "Christmas Trees." characterize this rugged mountain In fact, of all the groups of conifers region. which are most usually found in our The Digger Pine with its hand homes at this time of year, only the some, heavy cones that appear like spruces are unrepresented in YOSEM- Large, dark pineapples in the sparse ite. So if a "Christmas Tree" is grey-green foliage of the tree's open, scheduled for a part of your Yule- crown, and to a lesser extent the tide festivities, examine it carefully. Knobcone Pine, are found to a lim- Perhaps it will have a counterpart, ited degree at the lower elevations. or at least a close relative, in the Yo- of the park along its western border semite scene. Between the 3500 and 5500 feet Most people are familiar with the levels the Western Yellow Pine is pines. As noted in Group I of the ac- found in greatest abundance. It is companying sketch, their most dis- one of the most common trees in Yotinctive character—the fact that their semite Valley. Indeed it is one of the needles are, with the exception of the most widespread North American Single-leaf Pine, borne in clusters of conifers, and residents of many

parts of the west, from the Black finds extensive forests of Lodgepole Hills of South Dakota to the Pacific, Pine, which bears its foliage in and from Canada to Mexico, are un- groups of two. doubtedly familiar with its regal The five-needled pines are equal- beauty. ly as widespread as the three- At slightly higher elevations grows needled varieties, although the for- the Jeffrey Pine which greatly resem- mer inhabit the upper elevations as bles the Western Yellow in many re- contrasted to the three-needled pects, except for larger cones, pines which prefer the lower slopes. denser and darker foliage and the Sugar Pine, that tree of large, characteristic pineapple odor of the handsome cones which often exceed bark. Glacier Point, Little Yosemite 20 inches in length and in conse- Valley above Nevada Fall, and sim- quence have such high decorative liar localities between 6,500 and 8,- value, is most abundant from 5,000 000 feet are characterized by its to 7,000 feet. In these areas one finds presence—though it is not limited to the finest stands of this noble tree that zone. The picturesque wind- that are available anywhere in the blown specimen atop Sentinel Dome world. To Yosemite visitors they are is of this species. most easily noted along the Wawo- The foregoing pines are character- na Road in the vicinity of Chinqua- ized by having their needles borne pin Ranger Station and along the three to a "bundle." From 7,000 to new Big Oak Flat Highway in the 10,000 feet, although it is not exact- vicinity of Crane Flat. ing in its requirements and may also Two other five-needled pines grow be found on the valley floor, one at successively higher elevations.

GROUP I

Leaves in clusters - tied with sheaths at bases GROUP II,Leaves singly attached to branches

GROUP III

Leaves appressed to branches

Western White Pine, which on a smaller scale bears a resemblance to the Sugar Pine, may be found from 8,000 feet to just below timberline; while on the crests of timberline, their ragged, windswept forms giving mute evidence of the terrific struggle for existence which they undergo in this region of driving gales and heavy winter snow is the Whitebarked Pine. Often these trees sprawl along the ground, their roots anchored in fissures of the rocky habitat to add one of the most picturesque notes to the scenic symphony of the high country. But the pines are rarely used as "Christmas Trees :" It is among that broad group of evergreens which are characterized by the fact that their needles are borne singly upon the branches, as noted in Group II in the accompanying sketch, that your tree will most likely be found. The true firs, Douglas Fir, and hemlocks are the native Yosemite conifers that fall in that class. A distinctive circular leaf scar characterizes the true firs. Observe the branches of your tree where needles have been removed, and see if it possesses this character. If it does, it is one of the true firs which, in Yosemite, are represented by the White Fir, which is quite abundant on the floor of the valley, and the Red Fir, which is one of the dominant trees at Glacier Point and similar elevations. True firs are further characterized by the fact that the cones, borne upright upon the branches, disintegrate upon maturity. Distinction is made between the Douglas Fir and true firs in view of the fact that the former species is, in spite of its name, not a fir. It has been called Douglas Spruce as well Red Fir Top Lumbermen have known it as Oregon Pine, and its scientific name means "false-hemlock-with-foliage like-a-yew." Yet, it is neither fir, spruce, hemlock or yew. With three

other species, only one of which is native to North America, it forms a specific genus of trees. It is the tree which has perhaps the widest use as a "Christmas tree." Although its foliage bears a superficial resemblance to that of the true firs, individual needles have a short petiole or stem, and when removed from the branch do not leave the round leaf scar characteristic of the other group. In addition the distinctive cones, characterized by three-pointed bracts which protrude between the scales, are pendent, rather than erect upon the branches. It attains its best growth and greatest abundance in the Pacific Northwest, although it is generally common throughout the west from the Rockies to the Pacific. Here in Yosemite, which is near the southern extension of its range along the Pacific Coast, it is found in considerable quantity in moist situations between 3,500 and 5,500 feet, being particularly abundant on the valley floor near the base of Yosemite Falls, about Mirror Lake and in the vicinity of Happy Isles. Another of the tree mountaineers is the Mountain Hemlock. Singularly beautiful, its graceful form and delicate foliage are sharply contrasted to the rigorous nature of its customary surroundings for, like the White-barked Pine, it is a common member of the forest family in the vicinity of and at timberline. It has one striking feature in common with all hemlocks—a gracefully drooping top or central leader which is so distinctive that these trees can be readily identified from their associates by this factor. For those who prefer a large ornament as the crowning note of a "Christmas tree, " however, a hemlock is not a good choice for, as has already been stated, the weak central leader does not lend itself well to that type of decoration. Trees with scale-like foliage include, among the native conifers of Yosemite, the Incense Cedar, Western Juniper and Big Tree or Giant Sequoia. Although none of these come into wide use as "Christmas trees," they are familiar members of the Yosemite forest family, and add considerably to the beauty and interest of this area. However, in the Grant Grove of Big Trees of Kings Canyon National Park — Yosemite's National Park neighbor to the south —an impressive ceremony is held annually at noon on Christmas Day. This "Nation 's Christmas Tree" ceremony, as it is officially known, takes place at the base of the General Grant tree. Thus, the sequoias, represented by one of their oldest and largest specimens, are made symbolic of the season.

MUSEUM NOTES

By Harry C. Parker, Junior Park Naturalist Yosemite will be on the air with a series of thirteen broadcasts over station KYOS, Merced, on Thursdays, commencing November 6 at 4:30 p. m., and continuing through February 9, 1942. The title of the series is "Tales from Yosemite," the main idea being to portray the highlights of the human and natural history of Yosemite National Park by means of interesting and pertinent dialogue. While the leading parts in the broadcasts will be taken by actors from the staff of KYOS, it is planned to have regular employees of the National Park Service at Yosemite participate whenever feasible. Unless unusual circumstances necessitate changes, the following schedule will be presented:

November 6, The Gold Rush and James Savage November 13, James Savage and the Discovery of Yosemite November 27, Historic Tour of the Valley December 4, Glacier Point and Geology December 11, Ski Stories and Ranger Patrols December 18, Ranger Work and Chief Townsley January 1, Bear Stories January 8, Yosemite Indians January 15, Eagles, Hawks, and Owls January 22, Mountaineering and Rescues February 2, John Muir February 9, Trees. For the past several months, the foyer case has contained an exhibit commemorating the work done by the naturalist division during the two decades it has been in existence. The display employs photographs of the first nature guide parties in 1920, a composite photograph showing the multiplicity of services offered today, and depicts the development of the park museum idea and the growth of Yosemite Nature Notes. During the past summer the beauties of the habitat groups in the natural history room have been more fully brought out through the installation

tion of fluorescent lighting. The new illumination approaches the impression of daylight, thereby enhancing the naturalness of the scenes depicted. These improvements also include the lighting of the life zone chart in the same room. The mummified mountain sheep, found in the Mt. Lyell Glacier in born in Yosemite, and the daughter of J. M. Hutchings, returned to Yosemite after an absence of 42 years. Mrs. Mills contributed a number of historical items on early days in Yosemite for our separates file and donated to the museum an old manzanita arm chair made by her father, together with a powder horn, shot pouch and cap holder purchased by her from one of the original Indians in Yosemite. A complete article concerning Mrs. Mills' visit will appear in a future issue of

1933 by Associate Park Naturalist Beatty and C. A. Harwell, former Yosemite Park Naturalist, has been mounted on a brass stand and protected by a glass case. It is now installed in the research room at the headquarters museum, and may be seen by any interested visitor upon application to the Park Naturalist's office. On August 20, Mrs. Cosie Hutchings Mills, the second white child The annual glacier survey was conducted from September 26 through October 2 this year, but due to the great amount of snow still remaining from last winter, no effective measuring could be done, and the party had to be content with making a photographic record of conditions at each glacier. Members of the party were: Park Naturalist C. Frank Brockman, Associate Park Naturalist M. E. Beatty, and Junior Park Naturalist Harry C. Parker.

"PORCUPINE TREE"

By Charles B. Todd, Field School, 1941 A large "porcupine tree" was observed by the Field School near the top of the ridge between Breeze Lake and Upper Chain Lakes near Gaylor Peak at an elevation of 9,500 feet. This tree was of special interest because it was a Western White Pine. Porcupines usually feed on Lodgepole Pine, supposedly because the bark is rather thin. and a few Lodgepole Pines, but these had not been used by the porcupine. The first two trees showed a number of places where fresh cuttings had been made. These were on the branches from 8 inches to one-half inch in diameter. The bark from the trunk of the tree had not been eaten. These trees were protected from the wind by being near a steep cliff. They were about 80 feet tall, and the branches were short and bushy; thus affording more protection to the porcupine. There were a large number of partially decomposed pellets under this year's deposition at the main tree. It seems reasonable to assume that the tree had been used by the porcupines for at least two years. At the base of a Western White Pine about 3 1/2 feet thick, we observed a considerable number of porcupine droppings on the ground around the base of the tree for about 8 feet in all directions. An investigation revealed two other Western White Pines near by which had probably been occupied by the same animal. In the immediate vicinity there were several Mountain Hemlocks of considerable size

NATURE NOTELET

By Ranger-Naturalist Willis A. Evans On July 10, 1941, I watched 8 to 10 Brewer's Blackbirds along the margin of the Merced River feeding upon the emerging May-flies. It was just at twilight when the greatest number of insects were hatching out. The blackbirds would fly up from the bank, catch the May-flies on the wing, in the manner of a flycatcher, and then light again on the bank. During the entire time the birds were singing lustily.

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