Lingcod (ophiodon elongatus) are almost primeval looking with large, gaping mouths and 18 large, sharp canine-like teeth. The term “ophiodon” means “snake-toothed.”
Lingcod can sometimes be blue. Photo courtesy of NOAA.
This fish was given the name ‘Lingcod’ because it looked a bit like both a ling and a cod fish. Not because it was either or even related. Lingcods belong to the greenling family (Hexagrammidae).
Description
Lingcod colors can vary. Photo courtesy of NOAA.
This voracious predator can grow to be 5 feet long and weigh up to around 130 pounds. Average size along the Oregon coast is around 2-3 feet (or around 5-10 years old).
The fish has a sinuous body with two successive long fins. They are typically dark gray, brown, or greenish on the back with some copper-colored mottling or spotting along the upper back, and sometimes blue.
Territory
Lingcods are native to the North American west coast from the Gulf of Alaska into Baja California, Mexico. Adults like to be near rocks, inshore up to 230-fathoms deep. Young lingcod prefer sandy or muddy bay bottoms and inshore areas.
As adults Lingcod are fairly sedentary and non-migratory. Males migrate to nearshore spawning grounds in late fall to establish and aggressively defend nest sites. Preferred sites have strong currents and are near rock crevices and ledges.
Spawning occurs in winter. Mature females leave the spawning ground after depositing the eggs.
Male Lingcods guard the nest until hatch (about 8- to 1-weeks later). Successful spawning would not be possible without this protection. Rockfish, sculpins, kelp greenlings, Sea Stars, and other cod will quickly destroy an unguarded nest.
Prey & Predators
Adults are aggressive predators that will eat just about anything they can fit into their large gaping mouths. Prey includes smaller lingcod, squid, octopi, crab, and large rock fish. Predators include sea lions and harbor seals, along with sharks and larger lingcod.
Fishing
Lingcods are prized by ocean sport and spear anglers, and have been an important part of local cultures.
Restrictions to protect habitat can involve seasons, areas, and equipment. Be sure to check Oregon Sport Fishing regulations and seasonal changes, licensing, and limits.
Lingcods harvested nearshore are often larger and tastier. Going out beyond the bay could be well worth the journey.
The smile…
Fish don’t smile. Mind the fingers…
REFERENCES: –National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/lingcod) –Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, Lingcod (https://myodfw.com/fishing/species/lingcod) –Fishing Booker (https://fishingbooker.com/fish/lingcod/us/OR) –Wikipedia, Lingcod (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lingcod)
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 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.
