Gentle snow fell in Northwestern Minnesota in early October this year, providing a wintertime preview. Surviving winter temperatures far below freezing is a big challenge for plants and animals. Today’s post focuses on how trees make it through — with some scenic pictures of the recent snow. Trees are largely comprised of water, a critical …
Tag Archives: Minnesota
Understory; Shrubbery #3, Sumac and Honeysuckle
Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina) and Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra) Two species of sumac are widespread in Minnesota, Staghorn Sumac and the slightly more common Smooth Sumac. Staghorn Sumac bushes are larger, have fine hairs on their branches, and fuzzy fruit. The pictures below are likely a mix of Smooth and Staghorn Sumac. The tart fruit …
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Paul Bunyan Trail in October
Photographs in this posting show off fall scenery near Walker, Minnesota along the Paul Bunyan Trail, a Rails-to-Trails route between Crow Wing State Park and Bemidji (115 miles). This hilly and remote section of the trail, between highways 34 and 371, runs through the Chippewa National Forest. Scenic Overlook Fir and Aspen Forest Views
Patterns in Conifer Growth
Annual growth is reflected by patterns seen in the branches of conifer trees. Robert Knudson, a local biologist, points this out in a terrific YouTube video about our Northern Minnesota conifers. Pictures in this post illustrate two of the patterns featured in his presentation. Annual growth of Balsam Fir The pictures above show buds of …
Fall Colors; Why?
Interplay among three pigments is responsible for the changing colors seen in plant leaves each fall. Chlorophyll — this is the key green compound that enables the plant to convert sunlight and CO2 to sugar throughout the summer. Carotenoid — a yellow/orange compound that is present in the leaf throughout the year. When green chlorophyll …
Fungus on Trees
Shelf-like fungal growths on trees are known as conks Fungus identification is best left to experts, but I think the “conks” shown in the pictures above are the species Phellinus Tremulae. The photograph in the upper right is a close-up of the porous bottom-side of one of them. So far I have seen these growths …
Heartland Trail in September
Photographs in this posting show off fall scenery near Nevis, Minnesota along the Heartland Trail, a Rails-to-Trails trail for biking/running/walking that extends from Park Rapids to Cass Lake (49 miles). Also in our area is the Paul Bunyan Trail, a Rails-to-Trails route between Crow Wing State Park and Bemidji (115 miles). The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) …
September Scenery
We took a walk along the Paul Bunyan Trail, north of Hackensack MN, on a gorgeous day in mid September. This post simply intends to share some of the views from along the way. Sumac turning red among paper birch Virginia Creeper climbing in a Green Ash Virginia creeper and its similar species Woodbine are …
Spruce, Fir, and Tamarack
White Spruce (Picea glauca) Two species of spruce are native to Minnesota, the White Spruce and Black Spruce. The spruce in our area are predominantly White Spruce, Black Spruce are small and found in swampy areas. The White Spruce ranges across Canada and extends south only into the northernmost United States. It is the tree …
Pines
Pine trees are distinguished from other conifers, like spruce and fir, by having needles attached to their branches in clusters of two or five. Needles of spruce and fir trees are attached singly to the branches. As shown in a previous post, Red Pines have long needles in clusters of two, Jack Pine needles are …
