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Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis)

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Your life has been changed by a Sitka spruce.
You may not know how, yet, but read on.

A tree with no name

Sitka spruce was originally collected in 1791 and again in 1896. It was not named until 1827.

And even then, it didn’t stick. The last change was in 1855, the scientific classification to its current name (picea).  

You have probably seen it

Sitka spruce is the largest species of spruce and the fifth-largest conifer in the world. Trees that are larger include Giant sequoia, Coast Redwood, Kauri, and the Western Redcedar. 

RG# 95-GP Records of the Forest Service General Subject Files Negative Number:473081

Growth Characteristics

These giants can grow over 300 feet high and huge. Many large trees were harvested before careful measurements were made. Today, there are only a few large Sitka spruce located on the Pacific Coast.

Currently, the largest spruce in the world, the Queets Spruce, is located in the Olympic National Park. It measures 245 feet high and has a dbh (diameter at breast height – a standard tree measurement) of 14 feet. The Queets spruce, for instance, adds more than a cubic meter of wood to the trunk volume (estimated to be 12,200 cubic feet) each year!

Long lives

Queets Spruce is only around 350-450 years old which is comparatively young. Sitka spruce trees live a long time and can exceed 700 years old. The previously recorded largest Sitka Spruce tree is located at Klootchy Creek Park near Seaside, Oregon.

In 2007, the Klootchy spruce was blown down–it was over 750 years old. This tree had a circumference of 56 feet and was 207 feet tall and was considered Oregon’s first tree by Oregon Heritage Tree Committee.

Habitat

On their own, these giant trees provide great habitats for birds of prey and larger mammals. They grow however, very close together creating a huge, dense canopy. The Klootchy Creek tree had a crown spread that measured 93 feet.

The down side to a dense canopy is that the variety of secondary plant growth can be somewhat limited. Common plants found around Sitka spruce include Ferns, violets, huckleberry, rhododendron, elderberry, and more.

At the root

One might think that trees this large and old would have huge root systems. Not necessarily.

Soil conditions, particularly drainage, affects spruce root formation. In very wet areas, this tree will have a shallow root system with long lateral roots. These long roots reach out and graft onto other Sitka spruce tree roots.

While this connection gives the tree great strength and stability, it also makes it more susceptible to root rot. The thin bark makes this tree susceptible to fire and other damage.

Pests and diseases such as rusts, weevils, and beetles are fairly minimal. Animals such as elk, deer, bear, rabbits, squirrels, and porcupines can do significant damaged. Blow down is one of the most common problems.

But this also creates an opportunity

Sitka spruce is known as the “mother tree” and as a female proctor and guardian symbol. In dense areas, such as around Sitka, Alaska, the dense tree canopies could have provided protection from inclement weather.

There is another level of protection as well. Fallen trees create perfect environment for new seedlings and become “nursery logs” during the regeneration process. In some particular poor soil areas, this may be the only viable way to get seedlings to thrive.  

Uses

This fast-growing tree is often used for reforestation. Spruce will thrive on poor soil and exposed sites that other trees won’t.  It is more tolerant to wind and saline ocean air and may out grow native species.

Spruce is fairly clear with few knots. That makes it a perfect wood for creating musical instruments (like piano, harp, lute, etc.). The sounding board on that instrument may have been created from Sitka spruce.

Sitka spruce wood is often used to make stringed instruments (Royalty free Unplash)

Spruce was also used to create ladders, boat masts, and planks (as for ‘walking the plank’).

It was also used for other products where ‘high strength to weight ratio’ is needed. This can include aircraft wing spars, turbine blades for wind energy systems, and more.

The Wright brothers’ used Sitka spruce in their experimental airplane. Sitka spruce which was considered a strategically important aluminum substitute for aircraft built before World War II.

And in a pinch, you have even enjoyed a spruce beer or used medicine sourced from the spruce (Chinese, for insomnia).

Look for

A mixed stand of tall and wide conifers closely grouped together. Sitka spruce will have scaley bark, four-sided, one-inch needles (they are sharp), and cylindrical cones around three inches long high in the tree. Branches on older trees could be 30 plus feet off the ground.

REFERENCES:
–USDA Forest Service (https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/misc/ag_654/volume_1/picea/sitchensis.htm) and Forest and Grassland Health program (www.fs.usda.gov/main/r6/forest-grasslandhealth)
–Wikipedia, Sitka spruce (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picea_sitchensis)
–Alaska Woods (https://alaskawoods.com/10-interesting-facts-about-sitka-spruce-trees/)
–Woodland Trust Organization (https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk)
— Stilbene Glucoside, a Putative Sleep Promoting Constituent From Polygonum Multiflorum Affects Sleep Homeostasis by Affecting the Activities of Lactate Dehydrogenase and Salivary Alpha Amylase, Wei et al. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29093287/)
–The Oregon Encyclopedia (https://oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/sitka_spruce/#.XvtjCl-SmUk)
–Seaside Stories (https://www.seasideor.com/seaside-stories/klootchy-creek-parks-sitka-spruce/)

Vine Maple (Acer circinatum)

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Let’s go a little wild…

Vine Maple is most likely growing wild in your neighborhood. This small native tree can be found from Alaska south to northern California and from the Cascade Mountains to the Pacific Ocean.

Vine Maple (courtesy of OSU Extension)

Why you want one (or more)

This interesting tree (not a vine) fits into almost any garden—even small gardens and provides nearly year-around interest. Interesting features include seasonal leaf colors, flowers, bark, seeds, and wildlife support.

Vine Maple (Acer circinatum) is a close relative of the Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum – like a palm). Circinatum refers to the rounded or circular leaf shape, typical of Vine Maples.

There are approximately 150 maple species worldwide, most originating from eastern Asia. Three native maple species grow in the Pacific Northwest (Big-Leaf, Douglas, and Vine).

Excellent Companion Plants

Once established Vine Maples are almost pest free and make an excellent companion plant, particularly once they are established. It is a favorite for many gardeners. Why? Because they…

  • Are hardy to USDA zones 5-9. They will appreciate some protection from strong winds.
  • Grow well in a variety of soil types, particularly the common slightly acidic soils found in the Northwest. Give them a yearly dressing of compost and they are happy!
  • Tolerate varying moisture levels, including moist to wet areas, and can be used for erosion control.
  • Tolerate a variety of light/sun levels. They can function as a soft understory plant or even a showy fall specimen based on the light level. Full sun will bring on brilliant fall leaf shades of red and orange; shade produces deep golden leaf colors in the fall. Note to self: More sun requires more regular water until established.
  • Can be pruned to maintain health or height, bring branches off the ground (so they don’t root new plants), or to enhance shape. The height can get to 15-20 feet. Want something smaller? Choose one of the new dwarf cultivars that are significantly more bush-like.
  • Are easier to care for in a garden compared to Big-Leaf and Douglas maples. Both of these maples are significantly larger.
    • Big-Leaf maple leaves are very large and can create problems in a smaller garden, not just in more raking and clean-up, but much more. Plants and soil under the trees can be smothered (to death), air and moisture movement reduced, and make soil more acid over time.
    • The Douglas maple is nearly twice as large compared to the Vine maple. These maples tolerate drier and colder environments and can be found here and eastward beyond the Rocky Mountains.  
Vine Maple in early fall (courtesy OSU Extension)

Seeds, Flowers, and Leaves

All maples have certain common aspects.  For instance, the paired seeds, create a wing that will twirl in the air. Seed size will vary depending on type of maple.

These seeds are produced by tiny white flowers with wine-colored sepals. Flowers attract butterflies and bees; seeds attract birds, squirrels, and rodents.

Vine Maple flowers (courtesy OSU Extension)

Leaves are deciduous and drop in the fall. Leaves balance on the stem positioned opposite to each other. Vine maple leaves are all nearly the same length when mature with 7-9 regularly spaced lobes. Young stems are typically pale green. Summer foliage is preferred by deer and elk.

Native American Uses

Stems and branches were used to create beautiful baskets and fish traps. This relatively fast-growing tree was also used for firewood.

To learn more or access seed check out the Maple Society at https://maplesociety.org/en-gb.

REFERENCES:
—Acer circinatum (https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/acer-circinatum/)
–Pacific Northwest Natives (http://www.pnwplants.wsu.edu/PlantDisplay.aspx?PlantID=36)
–Oregon State University, Acer circinatum (https://extension.oregonstate.edu/node/146966/printable/print)
–Wikipedia, Acer circinatum (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acer_circinatum)
–Portland Nursery, Acer circinatum (https://www.portlandnursery.com/natives/acer-circinatum/)

Deer Mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus)

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What animal can be found in almost every state, and in northern Canada to southern Mexico?

A Deer Mouse

The deer mouse occurs as part of essentially all communities in North America below the treeline (high mountainous areas where trees do not grow). It has the broadest distribution of any species within the genus.   

Photo by David Cappaert, Michigan State University, Bugwood.org

Characteristics

You may not see it in the wild very often. Why? Because it is active at night and a rather small mouse-like rodent.

You may however, see it in a research lab. Deer mice are used because they are easy to care for and keep themselves clean.

This mouse is only three to four inches full grown with a multicolored tail that may be four to five inches long. The colorings, tail length, and markings vary widely with the soft fur color ranging from brown to black. The white underside and feet are consistent. The mouse got the name “deer” because its color pattern was similar to that of a white-tailed deer.

Nesting

During the day the species spends a lot of time in trees a common nest location. They are excellent climbers and swimmers. They will also build soil burrows, use rock crevices, and a variety of other locations for their nests.

Nests are created using grasses, roots, mosses, wool, thistledown, etc.  They are often communal. Deer mouse litters are kept in separate, away from the communal nest.

These mice often stay in their original home range to reproduce. They are social, and will recognize and interact with mice that have overlapping ranges. Communications are chemical, visual, and vocal (such as shrieks, squeaks, trills, and drumming out a warning.

OCD-like Behavior

Movement is usually on foot walking or running. They will also leap when threatened. Limited movement leads to intrafamilial mating and limited gene flow within a range.

This may contribute to OCD-like behaviors that become evident by two months old. One behavior is creating overly large nests in the lab when not necessary.

Reproduction

This rodent reproduces profusely compared to other species and even to local mammals. Food availability, rather than season, will determined breeding opportunities.

It is not uncommon for female deer mice to have three or more litters per year. Captive deer mice have had as many as 14 litters in one year.

Mice reach adulthood at six weeks.

Diet

Deer mice are omnivores and will change their eating habits based on the season. This rodent heavily consumes arthropods such as spiders and caterpillars in the winter with seeds, insects in the spring, seeds, fruits, and leaves in the summer. They will also consume fungi.

Deer mice hoard their food and will store up to one pint of food in ground holes, tree cavities, and nests.

Predators

They are prey for almost everything like larger mammals, snakes, domestic pets, and birds. Deer mice are can carry viruses.

Disease Carrier

One particular virus to note is the Hanta. These rodents can carry the airborne hantavirus. Hanta can be passed to humans during clean up operations and through contaminated food.

Minimize the Risk

To minimize these rodents minimize potential nesting locations such as rock piles, firewood, and vegetation (especially vines connecting trees to attics) before cold weather hits. Close up any openings to your home. Get some help eradicating an infection.      

REFERENCES:
–Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, Deer Mouse (https://myodfw.com/wildlife-viewing/species/deer-mouse)
–USDA Forest Service, Fire Effects Information System (FEIS) (https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/animals/mammal/pema/all.html)
–(Wikipedia, Peromyscus maniculatus (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peromyscus_maniculatus)
–Orkin, Deer Mice (https://www.orkin.com/rodents/mouse-control/deer-mice)
–Animalia, Deer Mouse (http://animalia.bio/deer-mouse)