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VOL. 42, NO. 3 • SEPTEMBER 2014 FREMONTIA JOURNAL OF THE NATIVE SOCIETY

DUDLEYASDUDLEYAS

BURNEDBURNED LANDSCAPESLANDSCAPES ININ THETHE SIERRASIERRA NEVADANEVADA FORESTFOREST RESILIENCERESILIENCE FOLLOWINGFOLLOWING WILDFIREWILDFIRE VOL. 42, NO. 3, SEPTEMBER 2014 FREMONTIA CARECARE OFOF NATIVENATIVE OAKSOAKS

V42.3_cover.final.pmd 1 8/13/14, 12:19 PM CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY CNPS, 2707 K Street, Suite 1; Sacramento, CA 95816-5130 FREMONTIA Phone: (916) 447-CNPS (2677) Fax: (916) 447-2727 Web site: www.cnps.org Email: [email protected] VOL. 42, NO. 3, SEPTEMBER 2014 MEMBERSHIP Copyright © 2014 Membership form located on inside back cover; California Native Plant Society dues include subscriptions to Fremontia and the CNPS Bulletin Mariposa Lily ...... $1,500 Family or Group ...... $75 Bob Hass, Editor Benefactor ...... $600 International or Library ...... $75 Patron ...... $300 Individual ...... $45 Beth Hansen-Winter, Designer Plant Lover ...... $100 Student/Retired/Limited Income . $25 Ileene Anderson, Brad Jenkins, and Mary Ann Showers, Proofreaders CORPORATE/ORGANIZATIONAL 10+ Employees ...... $2,500 4-6 Employees ...... $500 7-10 Employees ...... $1,000 1-3 Employees ...... $150 CALIFORNIA NATIVE STAFF – SACRAMENTO CHAPTER COUNCIL PLANT SOCIETY Executive Director: Dan Gluesenkamp David Magney (Chair); Larry Levine Finance and Administration (Vice Chair); Marty Foltyn (Secretary) Dedicated to the Preservation of Manager: Cari Porter Membership and Development Alta Peak (Tulare): Joan Stewart the California Native Flora Coordinator: Stacey Flowerdew Bristlecone (Inyo-Mono): The California Native Plant Society Communication Manager: Deidre Steve McLaughlin (CNPS) is a statewide nonprofit organi- Kennelly Channel Islands: David Magney zation dedicated to increasing the Conservation Program Director: Dorothy King Young (Mendocino/ Greg Suba Sonoma Coast): Nancy Morin understanding and appreciation of Rare Plant Botanist: Aaron Sims East Bay: Bill Hunt California’s native , and to pre- Vegetation Program Director: El Dorado: Sue Britting serving them and their natural habitats Julie Evens Kern County: Dorie Giragosian for future generations. Vegetation Ecologists: Los Angeles/Santa Monica Mtns: CNPS carries out its mission through Jennifer Buck-Diaz, Kendra Sikes Betsey Landis Education Program Director: science, conservation advocacy, educa- Marin County: Carolyn Longstreth tion, and at the local, state, Josie Crawford Horticulture Program Director: Milo Baker (Sonoma County): and federal levels. It monitors rare and Susan Krzywicki Lisa Giambastiani endangered plants and habitats; acts to Administrative Asst: Shanna Goebel Mojave Desert: Tim Thomas save endangered areas through public- Events Coordinator: Becky Reilly Monterey Bay: Brian LeNeve ity, persuasion, and on occasion, legal Mount Lassen: Catie Bishop STAFF – AT LARGE action; provides expert testimony to Napa Valley: Gerald Tomboc Fremontia and CNPS Bulletin Editor: government bodies; supports the estab- North Coast: Larry Levine Bob Hass North San Joaquin: Alan Miller lishment of native plant preserves; spon- Legislative Consultant: sors workdays to remove invasive plants; Vern Goehring Orange County: Nancy Heuler and offers a range of educational activi- East Bay Conservation Analyst: Redbud (Grass Valley/Auburn): ties including speaker programs, field Mack Casterman Joan Jernegan trips, native plant sales, horticultural Development Consultant: Riverside/San Bernardino: Katie Barrows workshops, and demonstration gardens. Sandy McCoy Website Coordinator: Mark Naftzger Sacramento Valley: Glen Holstein Since its founding in 1965, the tradi- PROGRAM ADVISORS : David Varner tional strength of CNPS has been its San Gabriel Mountains: Orchid Black dedicated volunteers. CNPS activities Rare Plant Program Senior Advisor: Jim André San Luis Obispo: David Chipping are organized at the local chapter level Sanhedrin (Ukiah): Geri Hulse- where members’ varied interests influ- Vegetation Program Senior Advisor: Todd Keeler-Wolf Stephens ence what is done. Volunteers from the CNPS Press Director: Santa Clara Valley: Judy Fenerty 34 CNPS chapters annually contribute Nancy Morin Santa Cruz County: Deanna Giuliano in excess of 97,000 hours (equivalent Poster Program: Bertha McKinley, Sequoia (Fresno): Jeanne Larson to 46.5 full-time employees). Wilma Follett Shasta: Ken Kilborn CNPS membership is open to all. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Sierra Foothills (Tuolome/Calaveras/ Members receive the journal Fremontia Mariposa): Robert Brown Laura Camp (President); David Bigham three times a year, the quarterly state- (Vice President); Carolyn Longstreth South Coast (Palos Verdes): wide CNPS Bulletin, and newsletters (Secretary); Nancy Morin (Treasurer); David Berman from their local CNPS chapter. At-Large: Kristie Haydu, Bill Hunt, Tahoe: Brett Hall Gordon Leppig, David Varner, Michael Willis L. Jepson (Solano): Vasey, Steve Windhager; Chapter Mary Frances Kelly-Poh Disclaimer: Council Representatives: Orchid Black, Yerba Buena (San Francisco): The views expressed by authors published Glen Holstein Ellen Edelson in this journal do not necessarily reflect established policy or procedure of CNPS, MATERIALS FOR PUBLICATION and their publication here should not be CNPS members and others are welcome to contribute materials for publication interpreted as an organizational endorse- in Fremontia. See the inside back cover for submission instructions. ment—in part or in whole—of their ideas, Staff and board listings are as of September 2014. statements, or opinions. Printed by Lithtex NW: www.lithtexnw.com

FREMONTIA VOL. 42, NO. 3, SEPTEMBER 2014

V42.3_cover.final.pmd 2 8/13/14, 12:19 PM CONTENTS

THE RAPIDLY EVOLVING WORLD OF by Jeremy Spath ...... 2 , a large in the Crassula family, contains that are at once beautiful, diverse, and occasionally taxonomically baffling. They are also in need of a deserving revision.

MANAGING BURNED LANDSCAPES IN THE SIERRA NEVADA: BACK TO THE FUTURE (SLOWLY) by Carolyn Longstreth ...... 7 Following severe and moderately severe fires in the Sierra Nevada, a unique and diverse plant community emerges that attracts abundant wildlife and enhances forest health. However, it is becoming increasingly rare due to fire suppression and post-fire logging.

FOREST RESILIENCE FOLLOWING SEVERE WILDFIRE IN A SEMI-URBAN NATIONAL PARK by Brian J. Harvey, Barbara A. Holzman, and Alison B. Forrestel ...... 14 Recent research tracks more than a decade of native vegetation resilience following severe wildfire in coastal California’s closed-cone pine forests.

CARE OF NATIVE OAKS IN THE HOME LANDSCAPE by Barrie D. Coate ....19 Some practical guidelines from a California arborist for keeping native oaks healthy.

NEW CNPS FELLOW: DAVID MAGNEY by Patt McDaniel ...... 25 BOOK REVIEW by Steve Junak ...... 26 BERT WILSON: 1951–2014 by Greg Rubin ...... 28

THE COVER: San Gabriel Mountains dudleya (), currently only documented in two canyons of this mountain range. Photograph by Jeremy Spath.

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v42.3_book.final.pmd 1 8/13/14, 12:05 PM Perhaps the most sought after species in the genus is the incredibly colorful Cedros Island dudleya (Dudleya pachyphytum), which grows off the coast of central Baja California. A portion of another dudleya can also be seen at the bottom of the photo. There is some contention as to whether it is Dudleya sp. aff. albiflora, a form of D. linearis, or something else entirely. THE RAPIDLY EVOLVING WORLD OF DUDLEYAS by Jeremy Spath

udleya, a charismatic genus ter must be one of the smaller suc- HISTORY of succulents, includes culents in the world. This genus can some of the most fascinat- be highly variable and the plants Before the genus Dudleya was ing native California plants. hybridize quite freely, suggesting created, the plants we now group DYet despite their charms they are that perhaps the group is evolving under that name were included in somewhat overlooked by native rapidly. This makes their taxonomic other genera. The first three to be plant enthusiasts and horticultur- classification very difficult, with the described scientifically were Coty- ists. However, the genus contains biggest issue being the intergrading ledon caespitosa, , many taxa that are considered gems of species or gradual merging of and pulverulenta, all from in the succulent world and are highly physical characteristics through a coastal California. The first and last sought after by collectors for their series of intermediate stages (Thiede of these have retained their species beauty and rarity. 2004). names in Dudleya, while the middle The diversity of this relatively When doing fieldwork with one is now considered a synonym small group of plants is astounding, dudleyas, I am constantly reminded of . The genus ranging from single rosettes the size that what I am viewing is a snapshot Dudleya was established by bota- of dinner plates such as Britton’s in evolution. Being a student of these nists Nathaniel Lord Britton and dudleya (), to mi- intriguing plants can be confound- Joseph Nelson Rose in 1903 when nuscule vernal plants like short-leaf ing, and when discussing them I of- they reclassified the North Ameri- dudleya (Dudleya brevifolia), a state- ten fall back on the caveat, “This is can . (Britton was an listed endangered species. The lat- what I know about dudleyas today.” eminent US botanist who was the

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v42.3_book.final.pmd 2 8/13/14, 12:05 PM Identifying dudleyas can be quite challenging due to their tendency to interbreed and produce hybrids. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Chalk dudleya () has a very widespread distribution. • Dudleya arizonica near Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in San Diego County. • Sticky dudleya (), top, is the parent plant of a hybrid offspring, bottom, a cross with chalk dudleya.

first director of the New York Bo- ern tip of Baja California in Mexico. tanical Garden, and promulgated Seed germination on coastal rocks is a set of rules of botanical nomen- aided by moss and lichens, which clature. Rose was a curator at the retain soil and moisture, and coastal Smithsonian.) Dudleya was named fog helps in reducing moisture loss for William Russell Dudley (1849– (Thiede 2004). The northernmost 1911), a professor of botany at species, bluff lettuce (Dudleya fari- Stanford and Cornell Universities. nosa), extends from Northern Cali- The two botanists recognized 60 fornia into southwestern Oregon. A Dudleya species, along with 12 spe- few species can be found inland in cies in Stylophyllum and 4 in Hasse- California’s Coast Ranges and in the anthus. The species of Stylophyllum Sierra Nevada. Arizona chalk dudleya resemble those in Dudleya, but in (Dudleya arizonica) has a range ex- general have narrower leaves and a tending from northern Baja Califor- more spreading corolla. Those in nia into northwestern Sonora and Hasseanthus have sedum-like flow- across the border into California, growing side-by-side at many loca- ers and deciduous leaves which die Nevada, western Arizona, and south- tions. Some of the nicest popula- to the ground after the plants flower western Utah. One species, Dudleya tions I have seen were in Patrick’s (Uhl 2004). In October 1942 Moran saxosa subsp. collomiae, is endemic Point State Park in Humboldt included Stylophyllum as a subge- to central Arizona. County, California. There I found nus of Dudleya, and in time Hasse- No species occur in California’s large clumps of beautiful chunky anthus was included as well (Moran Central Valley due to the plants’ pref- plants growing on small rock islands 1953). erence for rocky habitats. Most of a few feet off the coast that were Today there are approximately the genus is found in winter rainfall frequently splashed with sea spray. 46 species of Dudleya (McCabe regions, and there is almost no over- Coast dudleya or sand lettuce 2012), with 28 subspecies. More lap with the similar-looking genus (Dudleya caespitosa). Driving than half of these are native to Cali- Echeveria, which mainly inhabits the through Big Sur along Highway 1, fornia. However, these numbers are summer rainfall regions of Mexico if you manage to turn your head by no means definitive since many (Uhl 2004; Thiede 2004). east, opposite the famous coastline, taxonomic problems in the genus you will see exquisite clumps of remain unsolved. SPECIES IN FOCUS D. caespitosa. Plants may be farinose or green, with large clumps of star- DISTRIBUTION Bluff lettuce (). shaped rosettes often with fire- This species has a range extending engine-red leaf tips. This species The majority of the species in from southwest Oregon to the Big shows great variability and has a Dudleya, including the island spe- Sur region. Like many species it is wide range that includes the Chan- cies, grow on bluffs along or near variable, with each locality being nel Islands. the Pacific Ocean, ranging from unique. Both powdery-white (fari- Chalk dudleya (Dudleya pul- southwestern Oregon to the south- nose) and green plants can be found verulenta). I never tire of finding

VOL. 42, NO. 3, SEPTEMBER 2014 FREMONTIA 3

v42.3_book.final.pmd 3 8/13/14, 12:06 PM at this locality very difficult to key reminiscent of a star-filled sky on a out. San Gabriel Mountains dudleya clear night. The flower of the two is somewhat reminiscent of the com- species is identical, but the leaves mon landscape plant narrow-leaf differ: Coronados Island dudleya chalksticks (Senecio cylindricus), al- forms smaller multi-headed rosettes though the leaves are whiter, and while Britton’s dudleya forms one true to its name it is covered in large rosette. Very rarely, though, a compact clusters of white flowers in multi-headed white Britton’s dud- mid- to late spring. leya has been found on the main- Short-leafed dudleya (Dudleya land. This all leads some to specu- brevifolia). It is difficult to resist the late that perhaps we’re looking at charm of this extremely diminutive the same species, one an island form plant. Hidden from view and essen- and the other a mainland form. tially in hibernation most of the year, this vernal dwarf emerges from the GROWING DUDLEYAS soil once the winter rains begin to saturate the earth. Like many Most Dudleya species grow in Dudleya species, it was likely far winter and spring and are prone to more abundant prior to the urban- rot when watered in the summer. ization and rapid growth that ate up Think of the Wicked Witch of the most of coastal southern California’s West’s response to water: “I’m melt- real estate. However, it can still be ing!!!” Also, keep in mind the cli- found in numerous areas if you know mate these plants grow in and that where to look. Even knowing the summer rainfall in California is rare. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: One of the many right spot, it is very hard to find it Understanding the basics will help forms of , this particular except in spring when its sedum- greatly in growing these plants, plant was found in Big Sur. • San Gabriel like flowers, practically dwarfing the which are often said not to be diffi- River dudleya (Dudleya cymosa subsp. crebrifolia) is a striking tiny species that stems and leaves, are a dead give- cult to grow, but difficult to grow was photographed in the San Gabriel away. well. Mountains outside of Los Angeles. • Dud- Coronados Island dudleya (Dud- Being a landscape designer and leya cymosa, photographed at 5,000 feet. leya candida), and Britton’s dudleya a proponent and avid fan of native Dudleya cymosa along with D. caespitosa (Dudleya brittonii). These are two plant gardens, I am often surprised are two species that are amongst the most difficult plants in the genus to key out due spectacular species that grow so to come across beautifully designed to their high variability and tendency to close to the California border that ones that are lacking one obvious hybridize. they can practically be called Cali- component—Dudleyas. Gardeners fornia natives. As the name suggests, who live near the coast will likely colonies of the snow-white D. pul- Coronados Island dudleya occurs find it easiest to grow them out- verulenta, which is often found grow- on the Coronados Islands, approxi- doors. However, some thought about ing along road cuts. Especially in mately eight miles off the coast of placement can help greatly. Plant- late winter and spring, when the extreme northern Baja California, ing them among rocks and on a slope plants are large and chubby, it is and the islands are visible from is culturally and ornamentally ap- hard not to consider this opportu- downtown San Diego. It forms both pealing, as well as preferable to flat nistic plant one of the most beauti- multiheaded farinose and green ground. Assuming they are planted ful of the genus. clumps, each stunning in its own among other natives, any supple- San Gabriel Mountains dudleya way. When in flower it puts out red mental irrigation shouldn’t be an (Dudleya densiflora). This species with yellow flowers issue. A few of the plants in my has been found growing in two can- that contrast splendidly with the coastal Southern California garden yons outside of Los Angeles in the color of the plant’s rosettes. that I have found easiest to grow, as San Gabriel Mountains. It often Almost directly across the chan- well as more available in the trade, grows alongside outstanding speci- nel on the mainland of Baja Califor- have been: Britton’s dudleya, mens of San Gabriel River dudleya nia, just north of La Misión, Britton’s Coronados Island dudleya, bluff let- (Dudleya cymosa subsp. crebrifolia) dudleya habitat begins along the tuce, and Cedros Island dudleya (D. and lance-leaved dudleya (Dudleya cliffs, and plants can be seen grow- pachyphytum). Additionally, these lanceolata), the latter two hybridiz- ing in great numbers. The multi- are considered to be some of the ing quite freely, making the plants tudes of large white rosettes are most ornamental plants of the ge-

4 FREMONTIA VOL. 42, NO.3, SEPTEMBER 2014

v42.3_book.final.pmd 4 8/13/14, 12:06 PM and mention that the plants have been propagated from those already in cultivation. Also, nursery-grown plants can cause genetic contami- nation if planted within the native range of the species but not in the area from which the propagules were collected. Finding sound literature on the entire genus of Dudleya can be diffi- cult. Reid Moran’s 1951 thesis is the basis for most botanical understand- LEFT: Mouse-gray dudleya ( subsp. ing today, but it is difficult to obtain murina), near San Luis and lacks photos. In 2004 the Cac- Obispo. • ABOVE: Short- tus and Succulent Society of America leafed dudleya (Dud- devoted an entire issue to Dudleya, leya brevifolia). This ver- and it is a wonderful reference avail- nal species’ stem and leaves are dwarfed by its able through the CSSA website’s blooms, making it rela- back issues section. Thomson’s tively easy to find. Dudleya and Hasseanthus (1993) is worth reviewing and is filled with nus and have been able to handle status of many species, as numerous color photographs, but also contains some summer watering, which may populations are found in extremely be due to the fact that each of them inaccessible areas. is accustomed to year-round fog. The UC Santa Cruz Arboretum propagates plants in an effort to curb CONSERVATION wild collecting. Some of the plants were collected as long ago as the Many species of Dudleya are rare 1940s, and enough plants are grown in the wild and are confined to small that some may be used for research ranges with scattered populations. while others are occasionally sold to For this reason they should never be the public (McCabe 2004). Grow- removed from nature without legal ing Dudleya plants from seed and permission. The California Native making them more available to the Plant Society lists 26 species of public theoretically would curb wild Dudleya on their list of most endan- collecting. More often than not, wild- A spectacular specimen of Dudleya caespi- gered plants (the CNPS Inventory of collected plants do not transplant tosa enjoying prime real estate in Big Sur. Rare and Endangered Plants), with well to a garden and soon die, where- nine being considered federally en- as seed-grown plants adapt better questionable and flat-out wrong as- dangered or threatened (rareplants. and are easier to grow. Nurseries are sertions. Kelly Griffin, Stephen cnps.org/result.html?fulldata= supposed to label their plants as McCabe, and I are currently work- dudleya). It is difficult to know the threatened or endangered species, ing on an updated revision of the genus in book form that will give these plants the thorough treatment they deserve and make knowledge about them more accessible to the public.

REFERENCES

Britton, N.L., and J.N. Rose. 1903. New or Noteworthy American Crassu- LEFT TO RIGHT: Greene’s dudleya (Dudleya greeneii), Santa Cruz Island. • Bluff lettuce (Dudleya farinosa) has a large range and is usually found only a few feet from the Pacific laceae. Bulletin of the New York Bo- Ocean. • A particularly beautiful specimen of lance-leafed dudleya () in tanic Garden 3: 1–45. the San Gabriel Mountains. Moran, R. 1942. Desert Plant Life. The

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v42.3_book.final.pmd 5 8/13/14, 12:06 PM TOP: Two dudleyas found in Baja, California: Britton’s dudleya (Dudleya brittonii) in full flower along the Pacific near El Mision, Mexico and (INSET) Dudleya xantii, the southernmost occurring dudleya species. • BOTTOM: This is a presumed hybrid of Greene’s dudleya (Dudleya greeneii) and candle-holder dudleya (), and is found on Santa Cruz Island. The plant exhibits characteristics of both species.

Moran, R. 1953. Hasseanthus, a subge- (September–October 2004): 242– nus of Dudleya. Leaflets of West. 247. Botany 2 (4): 110-112. California Native Plant Society. 2013. McCabe, S.W. The rarest Dudleya spe- Inventory of Rare, Threatened, and ABOVE: Coronados Island dudleya (Dudleya candida) grows only on the Coronados cies. Cactus and Succulent Journal Endangered Plants of California. Islands off of extreme Northern Baja Cali- 76.5 (September–October 2004), pp. Online edition. fornia. The Mexican government prohibits 268-270. McCabe, S.W. 2012. Dudleya in The visiting the islands without legal permission. Thiede, J. The genus Dudleya Britton Jepson Manual: Vascular Plants of and Rose (Crassulaceae): Its system- California, 2nd ed., ed. Baldwin, B.G. status of Dudleya and Stylophyllum. atics and biology. Cactus and Succu- et al. University of California Press, Desert Plant Life 14(8): 149-157. lent Journal 76.5 (September–Octo- Berkeley, CA. Moran, R. 1951. A revision of Dudleya ber 2004): 224–230. (Crassulaceae). PhD Thesis, Univer- Uhl, C.H. Whence came Dudleya? Jeremy Spath, 390 La Veta, Encinitas, CA sity of California, Berkeley, CA. Cactus and Succulent Journal 76.5 92024, [email protected]

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v42.3_book.final.pmd 6 8/13/14, 12:06 PM Sun-loving pines germinate on the bare mineral soil left by a fire, eventually overtopping, shading and supplanting early seral shrubs such as ceanothus. Photograph by Scott Stephens. MANAGING BURNED LANDSCAPES IN THE SIERRA NEVADA: BACK TO THE FUTURE (SLOWLY) by Carolyn Longstreth

f you could time-travel back to the look more open and spacious, with ECOSYSTEM PROCESSES nineteenth century and wander more shrubs, forbs, and grasses on AND EARLY SUCCESSION the Sierra Nevada during John the ground. VEGETATION Muir’s time, how would the land- You would also be more likely Iscape appear compared to today? A to encounter a recent burn, perhaps Such a landscape would have forest ecologist would tell ou that, from a fire a year or two earlier. been created by fire, the West’s ubiq- instead of the thick, uniform growth Numerous snags—standing burned uitous agent of destruction and re- of medium-sized conifers that is trees—would be under siege by newal. While humans regard fire common nowadays, you would see wood-boring beetles; woodpeckers with fear and dread, ecologically, it a patchier, more diverse mix of veg- would be eagerly feeding on the lar- is an essential and highly positive etation types. Chaparral would be vae. Vigorously sprouting shrubs force. It returns nutrients to the soil more widespread; riparian corridors, would intermingle with lush, new and regulates forest density. It cre- hardwood groves, open meadows herbaceous growth giving rise to a ates conditions for plants to repro- and conifer stands of many different surge of flowers, nectar, seeds and duce and influences species compo- types and variable age, including old- fruits, in turn drawing insects, owls, sition, favoring sun-loving pines over growth, would all contribute variety and other birds and mammals small shade-tolerant firs and incense ce- to the landscape. The forests would and large. dars. It affects forest diseases, re-

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v42.3_book.final.pmd 7 8/13/14, 12:07 PM persist indefinitely under the influ- Such pyrodiversity created the ence of recurring fires. North-facing conditions for an exceedingly rich and otherwise moister locations, sup- flora that includes as many as 405 porting a thicker growth of Douglas endemic vascular plants, plus 25 fir, white fir, and other conifers, also conifer, 23 hardwood/woodland, 34 burned regularly in the past but at shrub/chaparral, and 5 herbaceous variable or mixed severity. This type plant alliances. of regime would include areas of se- One unique assemblage of plants vere fire that replaced entire stands; is adapted to form quickly after a these patches tended to be smaller in stand-replacing fire or lower inten- pine forests and chaparral than in sity disturbance. Known scientifi- the shade-tolerant fir-dominated for- cally as complex early seral forest, ests (Collins and Stephens 2010). this early succession plant commu-

Black oak (Quercus kelloggii) readily sprouts from the root after even the most severe wildfires. Intolerant of shade, it frequently mixes with pines, ceanothus, and manzanita in the early succession plant community called complex early seral forest. Photograph by Peggy Moore.

news habitat for wildlife and fish, and increases the diversity of forest structure, species of plants, and age classes. Over the millennia, highly vari- able fire regimes worked upon the Sierra Nevada’s complex topography to create a spectacular landscape of globally significant biodiversity. Dry, south-facing slopes with forests of oak, ponderosa, and Jeffrey pine naturally tended to burn frequent- ly—every ten years or less—usually at low severity, consuming the fine fuels, grasses, and litter on the ground. Where the terrain was espe- cially dry and steep, chaparral could

Seeds of many woody and herbaceous plants adapted to the fire-prone landscape germinate only when exposed to ash, smoke, or chemicals released by charred wood. CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM RIGHT: Full form and close-up of golden eardrops (). • Whispering bells (Emmenanthe penduliflora). • Bush anemone (Carpenteria californica). All photographs by Bill Follette.

8 FREMONTIA VOL. 42, NO.3, SEPTEMBER 2014

v42.3_book.final.pmd 8 8/13/14, 12:07 PM nity grows between the time of a stand-replacing fire and the reestab- lishment of woodlands and the closed-canopy forest (DellaSalla et al. 2014). This process can occur over a long period of time, ranging from 20 to 50 years or even longer, depending on site conditions. This type of early seral forest is considered complex because of the abundant organic material that per- sists on the site despite a fire or other disturbance, and which may include standing burned trees (snags), shrubs, understory vegetation, seeds, spores, fungi, live or partially burned trees, and downed logs. Dormant for decades or even longer, the seed bank Sierra lupine (Lupinus grayi) put on a robust display during the summer following the and other reproductive material 2009 Big in Yosemite National Park. Photograph by Lynn Robertson. spring to life, serving as “lifeboats” to carry early succession vegetation (Rhamnus rubra), flannel bush (Fre- smoke flower (Gayophytum eriosper- from one fire episode to the next. montodendron californicum), and mum), and various species of lupine, Early succession vegetation, Fremont’s bush mallow (Malaco- lotus, and snapdragon—also depend whether in the mountains or low- thamnus fremontii) also require heat on ash, smoke, or chemical leachate lands in California, is adapted to from fire to reproduce from seeds. to germinate and reproduce. Each postpone reproduction until a stand- Occasionally a severe fire will burn has its own requirements for slope, replacing disturbance—usually even hotter than the seeds can toler- aspect, soil, elevation, and distance fire—releases resources of light, ate, killing the entire seed bank. from the coast. moisture, and nutrients that had pre- In another adaptation, plants Accompanying the bountiful dis- viously been scarce. In addition, sev- such as bush anemone (Carpenteria play of annual wildflowers during eral adaptations that are specifically californica), chamise, golden ear- the first spring is a vigorous flush of fire-dependent also play critical roles drops (Ehrendorferia chrysantha), growth of herbaceous perennials in the development of early seral and Baker’s globe mallow (Iliamna with bulbs, corms, and rhizomes. forests. bakeri) require exposure to chemi- Calochortus (Calochortus spp.), blue For example, many kinds of cals leached from charred wood to dicks (Dichelestemma capitatum), shrubs, including yerba santa (Eri- trigger germination, normally within Ithuriel spear (Triteleia laxa), iris, odictyon californicum), manzanita two years of a fire. Germination of white brodiaea (Triteleia hyacin- (Arctostaphylos spp.), and chamise green-leaf manzanita (Arctostaphy- thina), pretty face (Triteleia ixioides), (Adenostoma fasciculatum), resprout los patula) seed can be triggered by and others bloom profusely and set from burls or lignotubers—vegeta- either heat or exposure to charred seed which then germinates and tive buds on deep underground wood. Fire indirectly facilitates ger- grows to maturity. These plants peak stumps—sometimes as soon as two mination of whitebark pine (Pinus two to four years post-fire. Still other weeks post-fire. Other plants, both albicaulis) and other conifers: the early seral plants—certain monkey- woody and herbaceous, reproduce bare mineral soil left by a burn re- flowers and clarkias, for example— from seed but only after exposure to duces pathogens and seed predation. are opportunistic annuals and pe- heat in the range of 100º C to 130º Perhaps in a class by themselves rennials that are capable of germi- C. These seeds are equipped with a are the “fire-followers,” annual wild- nating without the heat or chemical waterproof barrier that keeps them flowers that germinate, bloom, and stimulation from a fire but never- viable for long periods; the barrier set seed only in the first one or two theless increase in vigor and abun- loosens when fire brings sufficient years after a fire. These unique dance on the sunny, nutrient-rich heat, allowing moisture to enter and plants—including whispering bells burned landscape. germination to occur. Ceanothus (Emmenanthe penduliflora), hillside Nitrogen in the soil, which may seed, for instance, can survive for monkeyflower (Mimulus brevipes), have been vaporized by the fire, is over 200 years. Knobcone pine spurred snapdragon (Antirrhinum replaced by the action of lupine and (Pinus attenuata), Sierra coffeeberry cornutum), wooly-seeded ground- other leguminous plants, alder, and

VOL. 42, NO. 3, SEPTEMBER 2014 FREMONTIA 9

v42.3_book.final.pmd 9 8/13/14, 12:07 PM snags and attract opportunistic, in- sectivorous birds such as White- headed, Hairy and Lewis’s Wood- peckers, and Red-Breasted and Williamson’s Sapsuckers, as well as the post-fire obligate Black-Backed Woodpecker. Cavities excavated by the wood- peckers are later used by Western Bluebirds and Mountain Blue- birds, swallows, wrens, Vaux’s Swift, and pallid bats. Larger cavities in snags and logs are used by black bears, fishers (an uncommon forest- dwelling weasel), and pine martens. Drifts of Mariposa clarkia (Clarkia biloba), a California Rare Plant Rank (CRPR) 1-B New evidence shows that Spotted species, are encountered less frequently under a regime of fire suppression. Photograph and Great Gray Owls leave the old by Lynn Robertson. growth to forage on recent burns, drawn by the abundant rodents. Fly- ceanothus. Litter from herbaceous The exuberant burst of angio- catchers and seed-eating birds and deciduous shrubs hastens de- sperm growth provides seeds, nec- abound on the burned landscape. composition, feeding the fungal and tar, and foliage to attract insects, Indeed, early seral forest has been microbial communities and stimu- moths, birds, and small mammals. shown to be one of the most eco- lating mycorrhizal fungi, such as Reptiles are drawn by the heat and logically important and biodiverse morels, to produce an abundant crop light. Wood-boring beetles, exquis- habitat types in western conifer for- of fruiting bodies. itely sensitive to smoke, invade the ests, yet it is ephemeral. Even as the shrub layer grows vigorously for 10 to 20 years before attaining maxi- mum height, conifer seeds germi- nate and grow slowly underneath, shaded by the bushes and snags and protected from drying. Eventually, the small trees overtop the shrubs, reaching full sunlight. The young conifers then increase rapidly in height and girth, little by little shad- ing the shrubs and causing them to lose vigor and disappear. With the gradual conversion of early seral for- est to conifer forest, the animals move on, seeking the unique and diverse early succession plant com- munity elsewhere.

THREATS TO COMPLEX EARLY SERAL FORESTS These forests are increasingly difficult to find, however. Although Sierra Nevada biodiversity depends These four rare annuals benefit from increased nutrients, light, and moisture after a stand- on regularly occurring fires and the replacing fire removes the competing shrubs and conifers. All are CRPR 1B species. ecological processes that follow, fire CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Pansy monkeyflower (Mimulus pulchellus). Photograph by Peggy Moore. • Slender-stemmed monkeyflower (Mimulus filicaulis). Photograph by Keir Morse. suppression has been the rule for • Small’s clarkia (Clarkia australis). Photograph by Lynn Robertson. • Mariposa clarkia (C. over a century. Much early succes- biloba). Photograph by Lynn Robertson. sion vegetation that existed in the

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v42.3_book.final.pmd 10 8/13/14, 12:07 PM past has been replaced by conifers, tic” wildfires became more preva- enough for a commercial harvest. and without fire, new early seral for- lent, threatening forest health, pub- Meantime, the risk of fire increases ests have not developed. As might lic safety, and timber stands alike. every year. be expected, some of the annual Economic considerations have species that benefit from fire are now also shaped logging policy and con- DEVELOPING BETTER rare enough to warrant the Cali- tinue to do so. Timber companies MANAGEMENT PRACTICES fornia Rare Plant Ranking of 1B-2: are, naturally, eager to recoup the slender-stemmed and pansy mon- value of burned trees before beetles The 2002 , said to be keyflowers (Mimulus filicaulis and and fungi render them commercially the largest wildfire in Oregon his- M. pulchellus, respectively), and mari- worthless within a year or two. tory, prompted closer scientific scru- posa and Small’s clarkias (Clarkia Given the exigency, state authori- tiny of post-fire logging and replant- australis and C. biloba, respectively). ties routinely issue exemptions from ing practices. A surge of papers pro- For many decades, the practices permitting requirements for private vided evidence for a range of detri- of post-fire logging and replanting land and, in the National Forests, mental effects. It was shown that, by of conifers have also contributed to environmental review is expedited. removing dead trees and destroying the loss of early seral forests. These And limits on the size of green trees seeds and other organic material, practices became common decades that may be taken out of National post-fire logging disrupts succession ago. After some tree plantations Forests do not apply in the burned and natural ecological processes, cre- failed to grow, forest managers be- sites, making larger timber avail- ating a shortage of snags and cavi- came convinced that without these able after a burn (personal commu- ties and rendering the burned sites measures, conifers would not regen- nication, M. Benech). Nowadays, unattractive to the many species that erate and grow sufficiently and that, with green forest logging in decline rely on early seral forests. instead, the resurgent chaparral and reduced appropriations from The heavy-duty equipment used would become permanent. It became Congress, the Forest Service depends to haul cut lumber from a burned the standard practice to log and then on revenue from the sale of salvage site directly damages early succes- plant commercially stocked conifer logging contracts. sion vegetation and compacts the varieties in rows. Broad-leaf herbi- But logging followed by replant- soil. The application of herbicide cides were applied to suppress the ing also carries economic risks. Post- further harms the native plants that emerging shrubs. fire reforestation is very expensive do manage to sprout and grow. Sup- Timber managers also believed and there is still considerable risk of pressing early succession plants like that standing snags increased the risk failure. Despite (or even because of) ceanothus, alder, and root-sprout- of another fire. This matter was com- thorough site preparation, conifer ing shrubs also inhibits nitrogen- plicated by the policy of fire sup- plantations have been known to fixing, nutrient cycling, and site sta- pression, which prevented the natu- quickly die from hot soil tempera- bilization. Erosion and sedimenta- ral forest thinning that used to result tures. Tree seedlings are often over- tion silt up streams and wetlands. from regular burning. As a result, stocked, leading to high fuel loads, Instead of an understory of native forests became unnaturally thick and dense canopies, insect damage, and shrubs, forbs, and grasses, invasive full of fuels that connected under- stress from competition. Because non-native plants increase. The trees story vegetation to the canopy. Over thinning is also costly, land manag- themselves, grown of nursery stock, time, enormous or “uncharacteris- ers may wait until the trees are big can be less genetically diverse, ren- dering the forest more susceptible Eight months after the 2013 , slender-stemmed monkeyflower (Mimulus filicaulis) to disease outbreaks and climate flourished on a rocky seep in Yosemite National Park. Photograph by John Longstreth. change. In addition, the research chal- lenged the widespread notion that logged sites are less fire-prone than unlogged ones. Experiments showed that, where branches and other slash are left on the ground after logging, fire hazard increases in the short term (Donato et al. 2006). Another study found that logged and unlogged sites in the Sierra Nevada were equally prone to fire (McGinnis et al. 2010).

VOL. 42, NO. 3, SEPTEMBER 2014 FREMONTIA 11

v42.3_book.final.pmd 11 8/13/14, 12:07 PM Seeking to build on the new find- ied considerably and in some cases much of the twentieth century, ings, scientists and conservationists was very slow. On the other hand, starting in the 1990s the Forest Ser- began to advocate for affirmative the conifers that naturally regener- vice committed itself to a new em- stewardship of early seral forests and ated benefitted from increased nu- phasis on sustainability, forest greater reliance on natural regen- trients and less erosion while the health, wildlife habitat, recreation, eration as a means to foster forest shrubs and hardwoods attracted ani- and restoration. With the promul- biodiversity and structural hetero- mals to disperse conifer seeds gation of new Planning Rules in geneity. A study conducted in the (Shatford et al. 2007). 2000 and 2012, sustainability be- Klamath-Siskiyou region showed An analysis of chaparral plots came the foundation of planning that in most forest types, natural west of Lake Tahoe yielded further and management decisions, with conifer reseeding on burned sites evidence that, with sufficient time, policies to be based on Best Avail- was abundant underneath the conifers will gradually replace shrub able Scientific Information. canopy of broad-leaved shrubs. The cover, except on steep slopes with a In the Pacific Southwest Region rate of regeneration, however, var- southerly aspect (Nagel and Taylor of the Forest Service, which includes 2005). Natural regeneration, re- the Sierra Nevada, a 2011 Statement searchers have pointed out, can be of Leadership Intent affirmed the expected to result in a patchy, di- Region’s commitment to ecological verse landscape of variable aged restoration and sustainable prac- stands able to support abundant tices. Yet, after the 2013 Rim Fire— wildlife. a large, mixed-severity conflagra- Advocates are also developing tion within the Stanislaus National management standards for burned Forest and Yosemite National landscapes. These would exclude Park—the Forest Service issued a post-fire logging from nature re- proposed Recovery and Rehabilita- serves, sites with fragile, steep or tion Plan that appeared to signal a erodible soils, and roadless areas. rejection of both the recent devel- While replanting would be deemed opments in forest planning and appropriate on uncharacteristically the criticisms of post-fire logging large, severely burned landscapes practices. where conifer seeds are lacking, The Plan depicted salvage log- natural regeneration would be en- ging as “the first step in the process couraged where feasible. As many of long-term forest recovery.” In the as 80 to 120 snags per hectare would Draft Environmental Impact Report be retained instead of the 4 to10 (DEIR), the alternative preferred by typically required by the Forest Ser- the agency slated 30,000 acres of vice today (Sierra Forest Legacy former conifer forest for harvest, sig- 2012). Restoration projects would nificantly reducing the potential for strive for structural complexity of growth of complex early seral for- the resulting forest; felled trees and est. Stating that the forest had been other organic material would be re- unnaturally thick before burning, the tained. As the ultimate goal, ecolo- Plan called for the retention of only gists envisioned large landscapes in 4 to 6 conifer snags per hectare, well which natural fire would maintain below a natural baseline in the hun- the ecological balance indefinitely. dreds. Because no logging would occur on the 70,000 acres that DEVELOPMENTS IN FOREST burned in adjoining Yosemite Na- Many species of birds forage and nest on tional Park, the Stanislaus planners recent burns. TOP: In early seral forests with MANAGEMENT high snag densities, the Black-Backed considered it unnecessary to protect Woodpecker feeds on beetle larvae and How best to manage our na- additional early seral forests in the excavates nest holes that are later used tional forests has been a controver- National Forests. And the revenue by bluebirds, swallows and other species. sial subject ever since, at the urging to be gained from the salvage opera- Photograph by Stephen Shunk, paradise of President Theodore Roosevelt, tion could be used for fuels manage- birding.com. • BOTTOM: The abundance of seed attracts rodents, and in turn, preda- Congress established the US Forest ment and a wide variety of restora- tors such as the Spotted Owl. Photograph Service in 1905. While fire sup- tion projects (Personal Communi- by John Longstreth. pression and logging held sway for cation, M. Benech).

12 FREMONTIA VOL. 42, NO.3, SEPTEMBER 2014

v42.3_book.final.pmd 12 8/13/14, 12:07 PM Seven years after a fire and subsequent logging in the Eldorado National Forest, negative ecological effects are still apparent. LEFT: Nitrogen-fixing shrubs such as ceanothus are absent. RIGHT: Klamath weed (Hypericum perfoliatum) and non-native annual grasses have invaded. Both photographs by Dennis Odion.

Nevertheless, there are indica- cerns for public safety and air qual- 1998. Smoke-induced seed germina- tions that the concerns of conserva- ity can be addressed, the reintro- tion in Californiachaparral. Ecology tionists are being heard. According duction of fire may prove to be the 79(7): 2320–2336. to Maria Benech, Rim Recovery In- easiest, least expensive, and most Keeley J.E., T.W. McGinnis, and K.A. terdisciplinary Team Leader, all liv- effective way to increase early seral Bollens. 2005. Seed germination of ing and partially green trees within forests and return the Sierran for- Sierra Nevada postfire chaparral spe- cies. Madroño 52(3): 175–181. the burn area will be left to serve as ests to the patchy, biodiverse mo- McGinnis, T.W., et al. 2010. Fuel seed sources, replanted conifers will saic of vegetation types they once buildup and potential fire behavior be grouped for structural diversity, were. after stand-replacing fires, logging and judicious use of prescribed fire fire-killed trees, and herbicide shrub will be favored over herbicide. REFERENCES removal in Sierra Nevada forests. Where the four rare annual mon- Forest Ecology and Management 260: keyflowers and clarkias occur, log- Barbour, M.G., and W.D. Billings, eds. 22–35. ging will be prohibited until after 1999. North American Terrestrial Veg- Nagel, T.A., and A.H. Taylor. 2005. Fire seed is set and the plants have with- etation. Cambridge University Press, and persistence of montane chapar- ered. And the amount of slash to be New York, NY. ral in mixed conifer forest land- left on the ground will be closely Benech, M. RIM Recovery Inter-Disci- scapes in the northern Sierra Nevada, Lake Tahoe Basin California. Journal regulated so that enough is left to plinary Team Leader, Stanislaus Na- tional Forest. of the Torrey Botanical Society 132(3): protect the soil without increasing Collins, B.M., and S.L. Stephens. 2010. 442–457. the risk of fire. Stand-replacing patches within a Ornduff, R., P.M. Faber, and T. Keeler- Moreover, an additional alterna- “mixed severity” fire regime: Quan- Wolf. 2003. Introduction to Califor- tive analyzed in the DEIR specifi- titative characterization using recent nia Plant Life. UC Press, Berkeley, cally sets aside 2,571 acres for the fires in a long-established natural fire CA. Black-Backed Woodpecker, with no area. Landscape Ecology 25:927–939. Shatford, J.P.A., D.E. Hibbs, and K.J. logging to occur there. In other por- DellaSalla, D.A, et al. July 2014. Con- Puettmann. 2007. Conifer regenera- tions of the burn, experiments would servation science perspective on tion after forest fire in the Klamath- be conducted to see how the Spot- complex early seral forests: What Siskiyous: How much? How soon? ted Owl responds to different snag are they and how can they be man- Journal of Forestry 105(3): 139–146. Sierra Forest Legacy. 2012. National densities. aged for ecological integrity? Natu- Forests in the Sierra Nevada: A Con- It thus remains to be seen how ral Areas Journal 34:3. Donato, D.C., et al. 2006. Postfire log- servation Strategy, Section IV-B1, the final restoration plans for the ging hinders regeneration and in- sierraforestlegacy.org/Resources/ Rim Fire will develop. But whether creases fire risks. Science 313: 615. Conservation/Biodiversity/SN_ or not the Forest Service gradually Hutto, R.L. 2006. Toward meaningful Conservation_Strategy_web3-14- alters its approach to the post-fire snag-management guidelines for 13.pdf. landscape, there is clearly a shift post-fire salvage logging in North toward the increased use of pre- American conifer forests. Conserva- Carolyn Longstreth, PO Box 657, scribed and natural fire as manage- tion Biology 20(4): 984–993. Inverness, CA 9493; cklongstreth@ gmail. ment tools. If the substantial con- Keeley, J.E., and C.J. Fotheringham. com

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v42.3_book.final.pmd 13 8/13/14, 12:07 PM Canopy of the closed-cone pine forest dominated by mature bishop pine (Pinus muricata), just outside the perimeter of the 1995 Vision Fire on the north side of Inverness Ridge, Point Reyes National Seashore. All photographs by Brian J. Harvey. FOREST RESILIENCE FOLLOWING SEVERE WILDFIRE IN A SEMI-URBAN NATIONAL PARK by Brian J. Harvey, Barbara A. Holzman, and Alison B. Forrestel

hen most of us think CALIFORNIA CLOSED- sence of fire is rare. Mature bishop of forest fires, we CONE PINE FOREST pine trees are easily killed by fire, likely invoke images but the synchronous release of most of the 1988 fires in One such ecosystem is the seeds immediately following a fire YellowstoneW or the 2013 Rim Fire in closed-cone pine forest, which ex- allows for abundant post-fire seed- Yosemite—wildfires in national ists in a narrow band of discon- ling establishment. As such, most parks or national forests far away nected populations along the Pa- bishop pine forests are even-aged from urban areas. Over the last half cific Coast of California and Baja stands that originated after fire century, we’ve learned volumes California. Many of these forests are (Sugnet 1985). about the importance of wildfires dominated by bishop pine (Pinus One of the largest native bishop in these large, relatively remote ex- muricata), a medium sized tree that pine forests in the world exists in panses of forest. But what about typically lives to be 80–100 years and around Point Reyes National forests that exist within a morning old before succumbing to disease or Seashore, approximately 30 miles commute from places like San Fran- pests. Bishop pines bear serotinous north of San Francisco. Until 1995, cisco or Los Angeles? What role does cones that remain sealed with resin most forest stands in Point Reyes fire play in the coastal conifer for- until the heat of a fire breaks the had not experienced fire in 60–80 ests that neighbor some of the major cone scales open and releases seeds; years. Many mature bishop pine trees cities in California? therefore reproduction in the ab- were approaching the end of their

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v42.3_book.final.pmd 14 8/13/14, 12:07 PM lifespan and very few seedlings ex- strated enormous post- isted in the forest understory. This fire resiliency (the ca- all changed abruptly in early Octo- pacity to recover follow- ber 1995 when a wildfire ignited ing fire). Once the pre- just outside the eastern park bound- fire trees were killed, ary on Mount Vision. Over the post-fire bishop pine course of several days, the 5,000 seedling germination hectare (ha) Vision Fire burned and establishment be- through Point Reyes Peninsula dur- came critical for forest ing a period of steady warm, dry persistence. Released winds blowing from the east, even- from cones on burned tually reaching the Pacific Ocean mature trees, bishop Burned and weathered bishop pine cones from a mature just days later. In the bishop pine pine seeds covered the tree killed by the 1995 Vision Fire remain attached to a forest, the fire severity was so high blackened soil within fallen branch in a canopy gap filled by sticky monkeyflower that nearly all pre-fire vegetation weeks of the fire, and (Mimulus aurantiacus) in 2009. was killed. seedlings sprouted The Vision Fire was an impor- within months (Ornduff and Norris ately following fire results from the tant ecological disturbance in one 1997). Shortly thereafter, anyone myriad fire adaptations exhibited by of the most prized natural areas in would be hard pressed to say that the native plants in this forest. While the San Francisco Bay Area, and pro- the forest stands were not on their bishop pines store their seeds high vided a unique opportunity to study way back. One year post-fire, in the forest canopy, blue blossom the role of fire in coastal California Holzman and Folger (2005) recorded ceanothus (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus) ecosystems. Concern over how the an average of 250,000 bishop pine and several manzanita species (Man- ecosystems at Point Reyes would seedlings/ha—greater than a 300- zanita spp.) store theirs in a soil respond to a severe fire was high, fold increase from the pre-fire tree seedbank where they are stimulated although observations suggested density! As seedlings grew into larger to germinate after fire. Less domi- that the bishop pine forest was teem- saplings and then young trees, in- nant tree species such as coast live ing with plant life within months tense competition for resources re- oak (Quercus agrifolia) and Califor- following the fire (Ornduff and sulted in post-fire tree density de- nia bay/California laurel (Umbel- Norris 1997; Ornduff 1998). Here, creasing to an average of approxi- lularia californica) can resprout from we synthesize the scientific findings mately 15,000 live bishop pine trees/ their root crowns or their stems af- from longer-term post-fire research, ha by 14 years after the fire (Harvey ter fire. Small statured plants such focusing on vegetation changes in and Holzman 2014). This process is as yellow bush lupine (Lupinus the bishop pine forest that have oc- referred to as “self-thinning,” and is arboreus) and annual herbs in the curred over nearly two decades since expected to continue as surviving Lotus genus specialize in colonizing the fire. We highlight insights gained individuals grow larger at the ex- recently burned areas, where they from several studies and identify key pense of neighboring plants. gain an early competitive advantage unknowns and priorities for future by fixing nitrogen through a symbi- research. Much of the research we otic relationship with bacteria in describe was supported by a Doc POST-FIRE SUCCESSION their roots. Burr Educational Grant from the AND FOREST STAND The fact that species diversity is California Native Plant Society and DEVELOPMENT at its highest immediately following a small grant from the US National fire illustrates the importance of fire Park Service. Plant community dynamics after in maintaining plant community the Vision Fire demonstrated a pat- structure in bishop pine forests. All THE END AND BEGINNING tern common to many fire-prone species that were recorded at any OF A FOREST Mediterranean ecosystems; that is, point during the first 14 years fol- plant species diversity was highest lowing the fire were present in the The severity of the Vision Fire in the first years following fire. Two first two years, after which some early transformed mature forest stands years after the fire, 34 different plant post-fire specialists were outcom- (approximately 750 trees/ha) into a species were present (Holzman and peted and later disappeared. It is charred landscape with few traces Folger 2005), but by 14 years post- likely that some of these may re- of living vegetation within days af- fire this number had decreased to 21 emerge when the next fire comes ter the fire, but bishop pine popula- species (Harvey and Holzman 2014). through. Some non-native species tion dynamics after the fire demon- The peak in plant diversity immedi- were also recorded in the early post-

VOL. 42, NO. 3, SEPTEMBER 2014 FREMONTIA 15

v42.3_book.final.pmd 15 8/13/14, 12:08 PM Severe fire renews the bishop pine forest. ABOVE: Bishop pine forest stand that did not burn in the 1995 Vision Fire. Trees are approximately 80 years old and illustrate moderately sparse stand density representative of the pre-fire forest. No tree seedlings are present in the forest understory, indicative of a long interval since the last fire. OPPOSITE TOP: Post-fire bishop pine forest stand in 2009 in an area where all pre-fire trees were killed in the 1995 Vision Fire. Abundant seedlings established immediately following the fire, leading to high, but variable post-fire stand density.

fire years. Australian fireweed (Erech- landscape (Harvey and Holzman canopy trees, high shrub cover tites minima) was of particular con- 2014). Pre-fire forest density (ap- (mostly blue blossom ceanothus), cern, as this species can rapidly colo- proximately 750 stems/ha) was fairly and high plant species diversity. This nize burned areas and form a long- uniform across space, but different diversity in vegetation structure lived soil seedbank. Park managers pathways of post-fire forest stand generated by fire is important for and volunteers removed Australian development were evident immedi- wildlife habitat diversity for many fireweed in 1996 and very few plants ately after the fire and have per- animals. were observed up to six years after sisted nearly two decades later. Some the fire. It is not clear if there are any stands that had the highest initial FIRE AND FOREST long-term effects from Australian post-fire bishop pine seedlings (in EXPANSION fireweed on post-fire forest dynam- a few cases over 1,000,000 seed- ics; however, seedbanks of this spe- lings/ha) have since proceeded along In addition to the abundant tree cies may be present in the forest a densely-forested “closed-canopy regeneration within the footprint of soils now, and long-term effects pathway” with low shrub cover pre-fire bishop pine stands, fire may not be evident until another and plant species diversity. Other served as a catalyst for forest expan- fire occurs. stands with initially lower bishop sion into new areas. The forest The Vision Fire also promoted pine seedling establishment (ap- nearly doubled its extent after the diversity in forest structure (tree proximately 40,000 seedlings/ha) fire, encroaching into pre-fire coastal density, shrub cover, and plant spe- have since proceeded along an grassland and coastal scrub. Before cies composition) across the burned “open-canopy pathway” with sparse the fire, bishop pine stands were

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v42.3_book.final.pmd 16 8/13/14, 12:08 PM restricted primarily to the high- lustrate the importance of pre-fire eventual landscape patterns of for- elevation portions of Inverness legacies—the location of pre-fire in- est versus coastal scrub. Second, Ridge; after the fire, they expanded dividual trees, forest stands, and soil whether the evidence of forest resil- all the way from the ridge top to the seedbanks—in shaping post-fire iency and expansion following the Pacific Ocean (Forrestel et al. 2011). vegetation patterns that may last Vision Fire is broadly representa- Forest expansion occurred close to decades or more. tive of other populations of Califor- both pre-fire stands and around soli- nia closed-cone pines is unknown. tary pre-fire bishop pine trees that KEY UNKNOWNS AND Tracking post-fire trajectories or were at times over 500 meters from FUTURE RESEARCH the edge of a pre-fire contiguous PRIORITIES forest stand (Harvey et al. 2011). These solitary trees were killed by While the research following the the fire, but the seeds released from 1995 Vision Fire provides insights their serotinous cones resulted in into the disturbance ecology of dense post-fire stands that are now coastal California pine forests, sev- greater than 1,000 stems/ha. Simi- eral key unknowns remain. First, lar to the regenerating stands in ar- mechanisms underpinning the pat- eas that were forest prior to the fire, terns we observed over 14 post-fire many of these expanded forest years could be explored through stands are interspersed with thick- careful experiments. Such designs Mature bishop pine cones on a 14-year-old ets of blue blossom ceanothus, could help determine the relative tree that established after the 1995 Vision which increased in extent by more importance of initial seed influx Fire. Bishop pine cones are strongly sero- tinous (they only open and release their than 4,000% across the burned land- (through soil or canopy seedbanks) seeds after being exposed to the heat of a scape. Findings from Forrestel et al. compared to post-fire competitive fire), and are guarded from seed predators (2011) and Harvey et al. (2011) il- interactions in determining the with spines on the tips of cone scales.

VOL. 42, NO. 3, SEPTEMBER 2014 FREMONTIA 17

v42.3_book.final.pmd 17 8/13/14, 12:08 PM examining fire histories in other ity. Understanding the potential in- into systems that extend beyond closed-cone pine forests could fill teractions between introduced dis- their borders. Parks such as Point this knowledge gap. Third, with cli- ease and subsequent wildfire is an- Reyes National Seashore, which are mate change likely to increase fire other priority for future research. within or close to urban areas, are frequency, understanding the con- The vegetation response follow- especially unique as they offer an sequences of short-interval fires on ing the Vision Fire illustrates the opportunity for visitors to under- the bishop pine forest is needed. If importance of wildfire in shaping stand the important processes that fires were to occur before the trees one of the emblematic forest ecosys- shape their local ecosystems. accumulate a sufficient aerial seed- tems in coastal California. Post-fire bank and shrubs and herbs accu- research spanning two decades at REFERENCES mulate a sufficient soil seedbank, Point Reyes has demonstrated high post-fire resilience may be compro- natural resilience following severe Forrestel, A.B., M.A. Moritz, and S.L. mised. Finally, young post-fire wildfire in closed-cone pine for- Stephens. 2011. Landscape-scale bishop pine stands in Point Reyes ests—information that is critical to vegetation change following fire in have been recently impacted by pine the conservation of this ecosystem. Point Reyes, California, USA. Fire pitch canker disease, leading to National Parks serve as vital scien- Ecology 7:114–128. Harvey, B.J., and B.A. Holzman. 2014. pockets of locally high tree mortal- tific laboratories that provide insight Divergent successional pathways of stand development following fire in FIGURE 1. BISHOP PINE FOREST EXPANSION CATALYZED a California closed-cone pine forest. BY FIRE. Journal of Vegetation Science 25(1): 88–99. Harvey, B.J., B.A. Holzman, and J.D. Davis. 2011. Spatial variability in stand structure and density-depen- dent mortality in newly established post-fire stands of a California closed- cone pine forest. Forest Ecology and Management 262:2042–2051. Holzman, B.A., and K. Folger. 2005. Post-fire vegetation response in the bishop pine forest at Point Reyes National Seashore. In Vision Fire, Lessons Learned from the October 1995 Fire, ed. S.G. Allen and W. Shook. U.S. Department of the Inte- rior, Washington, DC. Ornduff, R. 1998. Three years after the Vision Fire in Point Reyes. Fremontia 26: 26–27. Ornduff, R., and V. Norris. 1997. Re- birth of a bishop pine forest: First year after the Mount Vision fire. Fremontia 25: 22–28. Sugnet, P.W. 1985. Fire history and

LEFT: Map of pre-fire (above) and post-fire (below) vegetation within the perimeter of the post-fire stand dynamics of Inver- 1995 Vision Fire, illustrating the substantial change in spatial distribution of plant ness bishop pine populations. communities. In particular, the bishop pine forest (light green) expanded to the southwest. Master’s thesis, University of Califor- nia, Berkeley, CA. RIGHT: Aerial photos taken in July 1993, two years before the Vision Fire (above), and August 2012, 17 years after the Vision Fire (below). Photos illustrate the dual modes of post-fire bishop pine forest expansion from pre-fire contiguous stands (dashed red line) Brian J. Harvey, 434 Birge Hall, Univer- and isolated pioneers (dotted yellow line). In both photos the lighter/non shadow-casting sity of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, vegetation is grasses or shrubs whereas the darker/shadow-casting vegetation is bishop [email protected]; Alison B. Forrestel, pine tree crowns. Fort Cronkhite Building 1061, Sausalito, NOTE: Black arrows connect the aerial photos to their corresponding location on the pre- CA 94965, [email protected]; Bar- and post-fire vegetation maps. bara A. Holzman, HSS 265, San Fran-

SOURCE: Maps are modified from Forrestel et al. (2011). Aerial photo data: Google, US cisco State University, San Francisco, CA Geological Survey, and DigitalGlobe. 94132, [email protected]

18 FREMONTIA VOL. 42, NO.3, SEPTEMBER 2014

v42.3_book.final.pmd 18 8/13/14, 12:08 PM ABOVE: A thriving 40-year-old coast live oak in Laguna Beach, California. The homeowners’ garden is on a timer system, but they make sure no summer watering occurs under the oak tree’s canopy, which contains only California natives adapted to dry summers. Two additional photos (BELOW) show what the landscaping looks like from other angles. Photographs by Allan Schoenherr. CARE OF NATIVE OAKS IN THE HOME LANDSCAPE by Barrie D. Coate

he questions I’m asked most pact of humans. Although they may native oaks that are newly planted often concerning the care of have had turf beneath their cano- in landscapes, since the procedures native oaks relate to mature pies for 20 or 30 years, this is prob- required for their successful man- specimens in a home land- ably a small proportion of their lives. agement are different from those for scape.T These trees have usually lived I’ll address some of those questions existing mature specimens. much of their lives without the im- here, but I’ll also address the care of We’ll begin by restating a well-

VOL. 42, NO. 3, SEPTEMBER 2014 FREMONTIA 19

v42.3_book.final.pmd 19 8/13/14, 12:08 PM known fact: California’s native eases, especially those caused by soil- layer of organic mulch (wood chips, oaks—and that includes most of the borne water molds, have the oppor- bark, or compost), and then ceasing species that we are likely to encoun- tunity to proliferate. For example, the irrigation in the covered area. ter in the home landscape—do not oak root tips can die from Phytoph- You can also remove the turf and like water during hot weather. Our thora cinnamomi, and the root collar the top inch of soil with a turf strip- native plants, including the oaks, (the area where roots join the main per machine and immediately cover evolved in a Mediterranean climate stem or trunk) can die from Phytoph- the soil with a four-inch layer of characterized by natural precipita- thora cactorum. Summer irrigation mulch. This latter procedure could tion (rain or snow) falling only dur- also allows other pathogens to in- be followed by the planting of ing cool weather. Numerous diseases fect oaks, such as oak root fungus drought- and shade-tolerant herba- that can plague our native plants (Armillaria mellea) and other mush- ceous perennials or shrubs (see operate most effectively during warm room-producing fungi. sidebar, page 23) to complete the weather when soil moisture is high; The more we modify an oak tree’s landscape. the same diseases are dormant or natural environment as we create a benign when soil moisture is high new home landscape around it, the BENEFITS OF A MULCH but soil temperatures are cool. more likely it is that the tree will COVER decline and eventually die. This is WE ARE THE CULPRITS the conflict that so often occurs be- The single most important thing tween landscape designs and the we can do for our native oaks is to It is our gardening practices that needs of mature native oaks. When maintain a thick mulch of oak leaves are primarily responsible for killing the design calls for turf (grass and or other organic material under their native oaks. When we water plants its layer of matted roots), as well canopies, to provide the insulating during the hot season, certain dis- as other heavily irrigated garden blanket that is so important to their plantings, the soil is health. A natural coast live oak usually rototilled to a woodland contains a distinctive set depth of eight inches. of characteristics that we can emu- This is precisely late in the home landscape when where the critical wa- native oaks are present. The ground ter- and nutrient-ab- in those natural woodlands is usu- sorbing roots of the ally covered with a layer of oak leaves established oaks are to a depth of six to eight inches, found. Turf, in par- accumulated over several years. The ticular, usually re- leaves in contact with the soil are quires frequent shal- continually decomposing, in the pro- low irrigation after in- cess releasing nutrients into the soil stallation (from three and encouraging the growth of all times per week to ev- the microorganisms that are part of ery day), which is the a healthy, living soil. The trees usu- most frequent cause ally have broad-domed canopies. If of oak root death. they are single specimens, 30 to 40 feet apart, or in a grove, their cano- REMEDIATING pies break the rainfall well above EXISTING TURF the ground and protect the soil from direct exposure to the sun. The in- What should you sulating layer of leafy compost pro- do if your old oak al- vides a “blanket” that helps main- ready has turf beneath tain an even temperature conducive its canopy? The im- to root health. portant thing is to get Homeowners often view this rid of the turf. You leafy mulch as untidy and ask their Native oaks in the home landscape are most often killed can eliminate the turf hired gardeners to remove it with a when well-intentioned home gardeners create landscapes by first covering it blower (or they do so themselves). incompatible with the needs of these majestic trees. The regular shallow irrigation needed to maintain lawns is the with cardboard or This removal of leaf litter is one of number one cause of oak mortality. All photos by the author newspaper, covering the most destructive things that hu- unless otherwise noted. that with a four-inch mans do around trees. The practice

20 FREMONTIA VOL. 42, NO.3, SEPTEMBER 2014

v42.3_book.final.pmd 20 8/13/14, 12:08 PM Though shapely, this coast live oak has been overly thinned, leaving most of the foliage at the outer reaches of the limbs.

leaves the soil exposed to heat, which find a different landscape mainte- ing our native oaks is to avoid the will often rise to more than 65°, and nance company. The second is to over-thinning of the canopy that is 3 dries out the soil where the critical use a mulch of /8-inch quarry rock such a common practice with many absorbing roots exist. It also elimi- or coarser gravel that cannot be pruning companies. The ISA warns nates the natural fertilizing of the blown away without great effort. against over-thinning, particularly trees through decomposition of the Also, do not install landscape fabric avoiding the extreme situation called mulch. Such bare soil is the antith- or plastic under this gravel cover. “lion’s tailing.” This practice usually esis of the condition seen in the involves removing all of the interior natural forest. TO PRUNE OR NOT TO branches of a tree and leaving foli- Soil that is covered with mulch PRUNE age only at the ends of branches. It retains moisture much longer than has been shown that interior soil that has lost its layer of protec- The International Society of branches act as a counterweight to tive leaf litter. Mulched soil may still Arboriculture (ISA) recommends prevent the excessive movement of hold moisture in the top several pruning trees only when necessary limb ends. The removal of interior inches in July and August, several (usually to remove dead, diseased, branches not only does not improve months after the last rainfall. This or damaged branches), but certainly a tree’s structure or its resistance to moist but not saturated condition is not on an annual or semi-annual limb breakage but actually exacer- precisely what trees need in spring basis simply out of habit. For ma- bates it. When hiring an arborist, for healthy new root growth. If hired ture, well-established oaks, it is gen- ask specific questions to be sure that gardeners simply cannot be stopped erally best to consult with a quali- he or she understands proper proce- from blowing the soil clean of its fied arborist before making any dures and is not merely selling an nurturing mulch, there are a couple pruning cuts. unnecessary and potentially hazard- of solutions. The most obvious is to Of critical importance in protect- ous pruning procedure.

VOL. 42, NO. 3, SEPTEMBER 2014 FREMONTIA 21

v42.3_book.final.pmd 21 8/13/14, 12:09 PM This coast live oak (14" trunk diameter, 20' tall, 25' branch spread) was growing within the footprint of a proposed new medical center on the Stanford University campus. Prior to construction the oak was dug and boxed, and will be replanted once the building is complete.

If you have an old oak that has grade of an entire landscape site, least to the depth of the fill soil and been over-thinned for many years burying the absorbing roots of any preferably several inches below. and is now composed of long, twisted existing trees. In addition, the clay They can then be filled with 3/8-inch branches with foliage only at the limb soil often used as the fill resulted in quarry rock, which does not decom- ends, there are a few things that you poor drainage around the trees. In pose but creates a porous environ- can do. First, avoid any further inte- such situations, roots are cut off from ment attractive to roots. The tree’s rior thinning. Be sure the trees are as the oxygen that they need to take in, roots will eventually fill the trenches healthy as possible by mulching, by and root collars may suffer from ex- due to the improved oxygen/water restricting irrigation beneath their cessive moisture in the soil around environment. This procedure can canopies, and by fertilizing—the last them. also be used when heavily com- only when deemed necessary to com- If any of the oak trees on your pacted soil is found beneath the pensate for a proven soil nutrient property have been buried under fill canopy of a mature oak that was not deficiency. Finally, allow the growth soil, begin by carefully removing the properly protected during any demo- of water sprouts at two- to three- soil around the trunk down to the lition or construction project, as foot centers throughout the canopy root collar, so that air can reach the noted below. To protect tree roots, to begin building a new interior trunk to keep it dry. To increase the these steps should only be under- canopy of foliage. amount of air that is accessible to the taken by an experienced contractor. tree’s roots, use a trenching machine PROBLEMS CAUSED BY to dig radial trenches that begin sev- CONSTRUCTON OR GRADE CHANGES eral feet out from the trunk and con- DEMOLITION: tinue to a point beyond the drip line. PREVENTATIVE MEASURES It was not uncommon in the Be careful not to grade within the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s to bring in inner-half of the canopy radius. During construction, contractors large quantities of soil to raise the These trenches should be dug at often become careless about protect-

22 FREMONTIA VOL. 42, NO.3, SEPTEMBER 2014

v42.3_book.final.pmd 22 8/13/14, 12:09 PM ing both the trunks and the root When a building to be demolished that have been field grown (in the systems of established trees. Demo- is situated close to an existing tree ground), dug up, and planted in the lition contractors are often extremely you wish to preserve, wrap the trunk box. rough and can cause severe damage with a protective material such as The benefit of buying a nurs- to trees during the demolition phase straw and plastic net rolls. ery-grown tree is that you are pur- of a project. Before any work com- The fences should remain in chasing all of the tree’s roots; in mences, hire an ISA-certified arbor- place until all contractors and sub- contrast, 80% of the roots are left in ist to examine any trees on site, contractors have finished their work the ground when a tree is dug from evaluate the impact that planned and left the site. Painters dumping the field. On the other hand, field- construction will have on them, and paint thinner or carpenters moving grown trees are likely to have the offer instructions for their preserva- lumber around the trees, even near character of a naturally grown tree, tion. There are several preventative the end of a job, can result in signifi- while container-grown trees are measures the homeowner can take cant damage to the trees. likely to have been pruned and in the event that construction, demo- shaped to fit the space available in lition, or renovation will occur NEW OAKS IN THE the nursery. around existing native oaks. Be cer- LANDSCAPE It’s quite possible to transplant tain to allow sufficient time to imple- large coast live oaks (such as the ment them. Native oaks can be planted in coast live oak at Stanford University During the planning of a new sizes from one gallon cans all the shown on page 22). However, the building or addition, make sure that way up to wooden boxes as much cost of digging a tree of this size and no soil cuts or grading occur within as 120" in width (and sometimes weight, the potential for its survival a distance equal to at least five times larger). Specimens raised in a nurs- over a long period, and the difficul- the trunk diameter away from the ery from acorns are usually avail- ties of moving it on public highways trunk in any direction. If grading able in 48" boxes or smaller. Boxes and installing it in a new landscape may occur in more than one quad- larger than 48" usually contain trees setting all discourage many poten- rant of the root zone, increase that distance to at least seven to ten times the trunk diameter. If the architec- tural plans call for grading or trench- NATIVES FOR PLANTING UNDER OAKS ing closer than these distances, an Howard McMinn manzanita (Arctostaphylos densiflora ‘Howard McMinn’) ISA-certified arborist should be con- Monterey Carpet manzanita (A. hookeri ‘Monterey Carpet’) sulted to provide alternative tree pro- Wayside manzanita (A. hookeri ‘Wayside’) tection procedures. Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium, syn. Mahonia aquifolium) A temporary fence is the single creeping Oregon grape (B. aquifolium var. repens, syn. Mahonia aquifolium most important tree protection de- var. repens) vice. Protective fences should be Dudleya species erected before any demolition or Island snapdragon (Galvesia speciosa) construction begins and should have toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) signs warning contractors to avoid alum root, coral bells (Heuchera species and hybrids) damaging or removing the fence Douglas iris (Iris douglasiana and hybrids) without agreement from the site ar- sticky monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus) borist. These fences are critical to western sword fern (Polystichum munitum) preserving the oak tree’s root sys- coffeeberry (Rhamnus californica) tem; the contractor must not store lemonade berry (Rhus integrifolia) any tools or equipment within the red-flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum) fenced area. No other activity should evergreen currant (R. viburnifolium) be allowed within the area enclosed wood rose (Rosa gymnocarpa) by the protective fences. blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium bellum) Install six-foot high chain link snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus var. laevigatus) fences mounted on two-inch diam- Vancouveria species eter galvanized iron pipe posts. California fescue (Festuca californica) These fences should enclose as much of the root zone between the build- Note: A good reference is the California Oaks Foundation publication, “Compatible ing and the tree and be as far away Plants Under and Around Oaks” (1991), available for free at californiaoaks.org. from the tree trunk as possible.

VOL. 42, NO. 3, SEPTEMBER 2014 FREMONTIA 23

v42.3_book.final.pmd 23 8/13/14, 12:09 PM tial users from purchasing trees that later planted in the ground require amount of rain falls directly onto large. special treatment. The process of the root ball surface. It will be Remember that nature plants digging and boxing a large tree puts necessary to continue irrigating new oaks from acorns. In general, it under severe stress for some time newly planted trees, albeit at a re- the smaller the oak at planting time, and makes it attractive to oak bark duced frequency, even through the the faster it will become established beetles (Pseudopityophthorus agrifo- winter. in its new setting. Smaller size, nurs- liae). A heavy infestation of the It is essential to continue to ap- ery-grown oaks will, with proper beetles can quickly kill a boxed ply water directly on top of the root care, surpass the size of larger boxed tree. To prevent such an infestation, ball as long as it takes for the tree to trees in only a few years. spray the trunk and all branches develop sufficient new roots in the with a systemic insecticide prior to surrounding soil to provide support PLANTING NURSERY- the appearance of any beetles. Check for the foliage canopy. The larger GROWN OAKS with a qualified arborist for specific the tree, the more critical this is. A products. typical 120" boxed oak tree is 25' in Trees acquired as nursery-grown A tree dug from the field and height and 35' in spread. It will re- container stock can be planted at installed in a box should not be quire many years for the tree to de- any time of the year, although au- planted in its new location before it velop sufficient new roots to pro- tumn is usually the best time of year has grown a strong, fully developed vide anchorage and a complete wa- for planting. Each planting hole root system that extends to the walls ter and nutrient supply for that should be the depth of the root ball of the box. If replanted too soon canopy. In the interim, the tree is minus 10% to assure that the root after being dug, any newly formed entirely dependent on the water sup- collar remains above the surround- roots will be weak and easily broken plied through irrigation of the root ing grade after the tree is planted. in the planting process. As an ex- ball and the surrounding soil. Use only the native soil as backfill, ample, a 60" boxed oak will need Native oaks have been trans- provided that it allows an accept- one to two years for the roots to fill planted at every month of the year able percolation; if the native soil is its box, while a 120" boxed tree at the Stanford Medical Center heavy clay, consider amending it to should remain in the box for two to Project, which I have overseen for improve the drainage and aeration. four years. The exact timing will the past three years. We have been The most common reason that depend upon the vigor of the indi- successful because the post installa- newly planted trees die is inadequate vidual tree. When the time comes to tion irrigation has been adequate. irrigation of their root ball. Place an plant a field-dug, boxed tree into its The majority of large tree failures irrigation system directly on top of final location, inspect the tree to be occur by failing to irrigate the root the root ball to be sure that water sure that roots have grown to the ball along with the surrounding soil. travels down into it and not merely walls of the box and that the tree is The presence of a healthy, ma- into the surrounding soil. Without vigorous enough to tolerate the ture native oak in the home garden this critical step, the root ball can planting. adds value to the property by en- easily remain dry even when there is The newly installed tree must hancing the aesthetics, modifying plenty of water in the surrounding receive irrigation on top of the root the climate, and increasing the habi- soil. ball frequently enough to keep the tat for birds and other wildlife. When Newly planted trees will need to entire root ball moist but not satu- their relatively simple needs are met, have their root balls irrigated for rated for one to several years. A soil oaks can be among the most care- varying periods of time, depending moisture inspection procedure is the free of trees in the landscape. upon the size of the root ball and best way to determine this, since it the length of time the tree had been is not possible to evaluate soil mois- REFERENCES growing in its nursery container. For ture by merely looking at the soil example, a 24" boxed tree will need surface. A soil probe that registers 2008. Pruning: Standard for Tree, Shrub, irrigation for at least two years, and moisture levels to a depth of 24" can and other Woody Plant Maintenance a 48" boxed tree for at least three to be a potential savior for an expen- Standard Practices. ANSI A300, Part four years after planting. sive tree, which could easily have 1. Tree Care Industry Association, moist soil at a depth of 8" yet be Londonderry, NH. 2005. Hagen, B. Pruning: A case against bone dry at 24". PLANTING FIELD-DUG routine thinning. Western Arborist: OAKS The notion that rainfall will 31:3 (Fall 2005): 38–40. supply sufficient water during the Large trees that have been dug winter for a large transplanted tree Barrie D. Coate, 23535 Summit Road, Los from a field, installed in a box, and is naïve, since a totally inadequate Gatos, CA 95033, [email protected]

24 FREMONTIA VOL. 42, NO.3, SEPTEMBER 2014

v42.3_book.final.pmd 24 8/13/14, 12:09 PM NEW CNPS FELLOW: DAVID MAGNEY by Patt McDaniel

avid first joined CNPS as a and webmaster (2005–2014), and is member of the Channel Is- also currently the chair of the conser- lands Chapter back in the vation committee for the Redbud late-1970s. He brought to Chapter. DCNPS a passion for the native flora David is widely known for his con- supported by his academic training. tributions to the organization as a He earned a BA in geography and en- whole, which began when he joined vironmental studies (with an empha- the CNPS Board of Directors as Direc- sis in botany) in 1985 from the Uni- tor-at-Large in 1989. He took on the versity of California, Santa Barbara. weighty role of CNPS President from He also holds an associate’s degree in 1991 to 1995, stepped over to Vice- landscape horticulture and a Certifi- President for Legislation in 1995, Vice- cate of Completion in Natural Re- President for Conservation in 1996, sources (1975) from Ventura College, and then served as a member of the is a certified arborist, and is consid- Board of Directors (under the new state ered an expert in many fields. He has organization) from 2002 through 2007. taught courses and given presentations He was elected Chairman of the Chap- on wetland impacts and mitigation, ter Council for 2011, and has contin- CEQA, permitting under the Clean ued in that position ever since. Water Act, water quality, wetland de- David has made major contribu- published on a public website), the lineation methodology, and wetland tions to our knowledge of the South- checklist of Ventura County rare plant identification. ern California flora. He created the plants, and maps pertaining to bioge- His contributions to the Channel very first complete checklist of vascu- ography of the county. His extensive Islands Chapter are many. He served lar plants of Ventura County in 2011 data on the flora has provided David as conservation chair from 1987–1989 (based on voucher specimens), and with sufficient authority that he has and again from 1999–2003, and has has worked for 30 years on complet- been able to make the County of continually been active in conserva- ing a full county flora. He has com- Ventura aware of the concept of “lo- tion activities. He has not been afraid piled numerous local plant checklists cally rare plants” as being worthy of to mount legal challenges after all other based on voucher collections and per- protection under law. He continues to options were exhausted, and has taken sonal observations (mostly for places promote this as a strategy for CNPS as on many large-scale projects such as in Ventura County, 29 of which are a whole through his work with the Newhall Ranch. In doing so he has worked in conjunction with neighbor- ing chapters and the state conserva- tion program, and has established good and lasting relationships with other groups such as the Environmental Defense Center of Santa Barbara. He played a major role in the protection of the Ventura marsh milkvetch, and has filed several legal challenges against government agencies in defense of native plants. David has served as Channel Islands Chapter president since 2004, and was interim editor of the chapter newsletter, Matilija Copy, for five years (2003–2008). David has served on the chapter board as legislation chair (1995–2003), vegetation mapping and monitoring chair (2003–2005), and served on the Invasive Exotics Com- mittee (2005). He is currently serving as the chapter rare plants coordinator

VOL. 42, NO. 3, SEPTEMBER 2014 FREMONTIA 25

v42.3_book.final.pmd 25 8/13/14, 12:09 PM CNPS Rare Plant Program and Local resource consulting firms Flora Committee. for nine years. DMEC’s His interests extend well beyond mission is to provide vascular plants, as he quality consulting ser- has created and pub- vices that are conducted lished online check- with integrity and a high lists of snails, bryo- level of scientific accu- phytes, and lichens racy. He has also taught known to occur in science and photography Ventura County. He at two private schools, created and pub- worked for the US Forest lished the first list Service on the Los Padres On his bike nearing the end of his first Century Ride in (preliminary) of rare National Forest perform- August 2013. Photograph by Ron Parker. lichens of California ing rare plant surveys, through the Califor- and at the Herbarium at the University David is a very passionate, patient, nia Lichen Society in of California, Santa Barbara. and dedicated person, and those posi- 1999. David and his lovely and accom- tive and influential traits surface in He also has a life plished wife, Jamie Lynne, are excel- everything he does. He truly cares David teaching about riparian outside of CNPS, of lent dancers, and as avid contra danc- about people and truly cares about the plants on a Channel Islands course, but that too ers can be seen at dances throughout environment, characteristics that have Chapter hike up Lions Canyon is all about plants. He the state. David has also been develop- won him the friendship and respect of in October 2005. formed his own com- ing his cycling skills and on August many. David’s contributions to the per- pany, David Magney 17, 2013, rode in his first Century sistence and preservation of the Cali- Environmental Consulting (DMEC) in Ride (100 miles) from Ventura to fornia flora are extraordinary and are 1997 after working for other natural Goleta and back. so deserving of this recognition.

BOOK REVIEW

A Naturalist’s Guide to the Santa Bar- The book is divided into eleven gion. The remaining chapters describe bara Region by Joan Easton Lentz. 2013. chapters. The first two chapters intro- the diverse habitats of the region, in- Heyday Books, Berkeley, CA, in coop- duce the reader to the physical geog- cluding the ocean, offshore islands, eration with the Santa Barbara Museum raphy, vegetation, climate, and geo- shoreline, coastal wetlands, coastal of Natural History. 485 pages. $35 pa- logic history of the Santa Barbara re- plain and foothills, coastal and inte- perback. ISBN #978-1-59714-241-0.

Joan Easton Lentz is an accom- plished author who has written three The most complete offering of bulbs native to birdwatching books: Birdwatching: A TELOS the western USA available anywhere, our Guide for Beginners (1985), Great stock is propagated at the nursery, with seed Birding Trips of the West (1989), and RARE and plants from legitimate sources only. Introduction to Birds of the Southern California Coast (2006). This fourth book by Lentz is a well-researched BULBS and very readable overview of the natural history of a complex portion of California. The book is extensively illustrated with color photographs, color drawings, and maps. The ma- jority of the photographs, which are found on nearly every page of the book, were contributed by nature pho- tographer Stuart Wilson and are of Telos Rare Bulbs outstanding quality. The numerous P.O. Box 1067, Ferndale, CA 95536 drawings and maps were produced by www.telosrarebulbs.com talented and meticulous illustrator Peter Gaede.

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v42.3_book.final.pmd 27 8/13/14, 12:09 PM rior valleys, mountainous areas, fresh- in an appendix, where habitats where native water wetlands, and urban parks and taxa that are not na- plants occur in the backyards. Common organisms that tive to the Santa Bar- Santa Barbara region. one may expect to encounter in each bara region are identi- It also gives the reader portion of the study area are discussed, fied with an asterisk. an opportunity to as well as a variety of ecological and Additional appendices learn more about the distributional information about se- list specific localities complex interactions lected taxa and the habitats where they where the reader can between the physical can be found. Interesting nature jour- visit the habitats de- environment, animals, nal entries by Lentz, chronicling field scribed in the book, as and our native plants. trips that she has taken over the years, well as a list of sample Although it is accompany each chapter. field trips organized by printed on heavy, For each organism mentioned, location. An extensive high-quality stock, the common and scientific names are given bibliography and an book may not hold up throughout the book and are also listed index to people, place names, general to extensive use in the field without topics, and common names of taxa the addition of a more durable glue to complete this fine publication. secure the cover to the book’s spine. This book will be a valuable addi- However, this does not detract from tion to the library of any naturalist one’s appreciation of all of the effort interested in the Central California that has gone into the years of back- region. Native plant lovers will also be ground research, writing, photography, interested in this volume, as it pro- drawing, editing, layout, and produc- vides an abundance of interesting, tion of this very attractive and infor- well-organized, and well-researched mative book. background information about the —Steve Junak

BERT WILSON: 1951–2014 by Greg Rubin

ative horticulture lost a true Blue’, four Ceanothus varieties includ- pioneer and giant in the ing ‘Remote Blue’, ‘L.T. Blue’, ‘Celestial industry on March 4, 2014, Blue’, and ‘Tassajara Blue’, manzanitas when Bert Wilson, the including ‘Mama Bear’, ‘Baby Bear’, and Nfounder of Las Pilitas Nursery with ‘Ian Bush’—the list is long. Beyond locations in Santa Margarita and these wonderful plant introductions, Escondido, California, passed away un- the protocols Bert developed have had expectedly at his home. He was 63. a major impact on native horticulture. It all started in Some considered 1974 when Bert, a In front of the nursery office in Bert’s approach con- young chemistry stu- Santa Margarita. CLOCKWISE FROM troversial. At times it dent, decided he TOP LEFT: Bert, Virginia Yant, contradicted accepted wanted to grow his long-time nursery employee, horticultural practice. own native plants. Bert’s daughter Penny Nyant, Yet the underlying Obtaining his con- and her daughter Lily. Photo- principle is straightfor- graph by Celeste Wilson. tractor’s license in ward: emulate native 1977, he began devel- ecology as much as oping strategies to possible in the native ensure the success of landscape. It was a re- native plants in land- sponse to the frequent scapes. Along the failures and negative way, Bert introduced perception of native a number of popular plants prevalent in cultivars, such as Pen- those early days. Bert’s stemon ‘Margarita profound insight was BOP’, Salvia ‘Pozo to view native ecology

28 FREMONTIA VOL. 42, NO.3, SEPTEMBER 2014

v42.3_book.final.pmd 28 8/13/14, 12:09 PM Join Today! CNPS member gifts allow us to promote and protect California’s native plants and their habitats. Gifts are tax-deductible minus the $12 of the total gift which goes toward publication of Fremontia. ❏ $1,500 Mariposa Lily ❏ $600 Benefactor ❏ $300 Patron ❏ $100 Plant Lover ❏ $75 Family ❏ $75 International or Library ❏ $45 Individual ❏ $25 Limited Income CORPORATE/ORGANIZATIONAL ❏ $2,500 10+ Employees ❏ $1,000 7-10 Employees ❏ $500 4-6 Employees ❏ $150 1-3 Employees

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as an impossibly complex, poorly watering schedule, and exposure, and understood, but completely interde- it will generate a list of appropriate SUBMISSION pendent web of variables, most of which native plants for your site. The website INSTRUCTIONS may never be identified. His tactic was is a work that represents 30 years of CNPS members and others are to avoid introducing anything that research and testing, all of which he invited to submit articles for pub- didn’t exist naturally in the plant’s na- offers up to the public for free in order lication in Fremontia. If inter- tive ecology. Subjecting such a com- to popularize native plants. It is a body ested, please first send a short plex system to non-native inputs might of work that is breathtaking in its depth, cause it to react in unpredictable ways, yet delightfully quirky and playful. The summary or outline of what possibly leading to failure. website continues to grow under the you’d like to cover in your ar- Many who had never met Bert per- extremely competent guidance of Bert’s ticle to Fremontia editor, Bob sonally certainly knew of him from his two children, Penny and Ian, and his Hass, at [email protected]. Instruc- astounding website, laspilitas.com. His wife, Celeste. His surviving family has tions for contributors can be witty, profoundly insightful, ironic, vowed to continue Bert’s important found on the CNPS website, and slightly dyslexic personality illu- legacy of native plant horticultural www.cnps.org, under Publica- minated every word. Coming online research and propagation. tions/Fremontia. very early in the history of the Internet Landscape professionals and in 1995, this groundbreaking tour de homeowners alike have reported un- force of native horticulture expanded paralleled, repeatable success with Fremontia Editorial Advisory to well over 5,000 pages of hyperlinked Bert’s recommendations for light over- Board wonder. Not only are 1,400 species head irrigation, unamended soils, ap- Susan D’Alcamo, Jim Andre, Ellen and selections of native plants de- propriate mulches, and design based Dean, Phyllis M. Faber, Holly scribed in detail, but the site is full of on native plant communities. Although Forbes, Dan Gluesenkamp, Brett useful information on native ecology, Bert’s untimely death has left a huge Hall, David Keil, Kara Moore, horticulture, wildlife, landscape con- void in the native plant community, Pam Muick, Bart O’Brien, Roger struction projects, and much more. the strong foundation he created will Raiche, Teresa Sholars, Dick It also contains a software program help support the continued growth of Turner, Mike Vasey (mynativeplants.com) where you can successful native plant landscaping. He enter your zip code, soil type, mulch, will be sorely missed.

VOL. 42, NO. 3, SEPTEMBER 2014 FREMONTIA FREMONTIA 29

V42.3_cover.final.pmd 3 8/13/14, 4:26 PM California Native Plant Society Nonprofit Org. 2707 K Street, Suite 1 Sacramento, CA 95816-5130 U.S. Postage PAID MLP

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CONTRIBUTORS FROM THE EDITOR

Barrie D. Coate is a certified arborist with the International e are experiencing a convergence of three mile- Society of Arboriculture (ISA), a registered arborist with the stone anniversaries over the next 12 months, all of which are intrinsically connected to the work that American Society of Consulting Arborists, and an honorary W CNPS does. life member of the Western Chapter, ISA. First, 2014 marks the 50th anniversary of the Wilder- Alison B. Forrestel is a vegetation ecologist with the Na- ness Act. This historic bill was signed into law by President tional Park Service. Lyndon B. Johnson on September 3, 1964. It created the legal definition for wilderness in the US, and established Brian J. Harvey is a PhD candidate at the University of Wis- the National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS) that consin. His research includes studying ecological distur- set aside an initial 9.1 million acres of wildlands. Today it bances and post-disturbance resilience in forest ecosystems. protects nearly 110 million acres. In part, the Act defined wilderness in the following Barbara A. Holzman is a professor of geography and envi- manner: “A wilderness . . . [is] an area where the earth and ronment at San Francisco State University. She has been in- its community of life are untrammeled by man, where vestigating post-fire recovery at Point Reyes since 1995. man himself is a visitor who does not remain, . . . which is protected and managed so as to preserve its natural condi- Steve Junak recently retired as herbarium curator of the Santa tions.” Wilderness designations provide the highest legal Barbara Botanic Garden, and is an expert on the plants of and legislative protection for wild lands, and therefore are a the Santa Barbara region, the islands of Southern California, critical tool in protecting native plant habitat. and the Pacific islands of Baja, California. The second notable anniversary concerns the California State Parks system, which turns 150 this year. In 1864 Carolyn Longstreth is a native plant enthusiast, activist, President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill granting 39,000 writer, and retired attorney based in Northern California. acres of Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Big Tree Grove to She currently serves as the CNPS Secretary. the State of California. Never before had land been set aside to protect its natural state for the public to enjoy. Today Patt McDaniel is a nonprofit organization insurance special- California State parks has grown to be the largest state park ist, artist, and has been active in CNPS for 30 years. system in the US. The third anniversary is most likely known to many Greg Rubin is owner and founder of California’s Own Na- CNPS members, namely the 50th anniversary of the Cali- tive Landscape Design, Inc., and recently coauthored The fornia Native Plant Society in 2015. CNPS was founded in California Native Landscape: the Homeowner’s Design Guide 1965 and has become the most important organization to Restoring its Beauty and Balance. working to protect the state’s native flora. The year-long celebration will begin with the upcoming CNPS Conserva- Jeremy Spath runs Spath Landscape Design in Encinitas, tion Conference next January (see cnps.org/cnps/conserva- California, and assists with propagation and hybridization tion/conference/2015). at Rancho Soledad Nursery in Rancho Santa Fe, California. —Bob Hass

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