Author: Joanie Beldin

  • Dogwood tree – Cornus kousa

    dogwood flower
    Dogwood in bloom

    One of the most beautiful flowered trees in the park is our dogwood, located near the circle entrance to the park, off of Bruce Street. Every year in the late spring, it blooms profusely with its large white flowers. The flowers themselves are tightly clustered, lacking showy petals, but surrounded by four to six large, typically white petal-like bracts. Bracts are actually modified or specialized leaves.

    cornus kousa
    cornus kousa

    The unique fruits are raspberry-like and they persist into winter. They are edible and are sometimes used for making wine. More than 35 species of birds will eat the high-fat, fleshy and red fruit.

    dogwood fruit

    How did the dogwood get its name? The name “dog-tree” entered the English vocabulary by 1548, and had been further transformed to “dogwood” by 1614. There are a couple of theories as to the origin of the name. One thought is that “dogwood” was derived from the Old English dagwood, from the use of the slender stems of its very hard wood for making “dags” (daggers, skewers, and arrows). Another earlier name of the dogwood in English is the whipple-tree. A whippletree is an element of the traction of a horse-drawn cart, linking the drawpole of the cart to the harnesses of the horses in file; these items still bear the name of the tree from which they are commonly carved.

    While there is a native Pacific dogwood, our dogwood is of Asian origin.

  • Tree vandalism correction

    We can all be relieved that vandalism was not the culprit of the sequoia bark removal. According to a letter from Larry Maginnis, the Urban Forestry Supervisor,

    “I am writing to put your mind to ease in regards to the bark you have found that was removed from the tree.  I visited the site shortly …  and determined that what you witnessed was simply bark sloughing off due to some borer/beetle activity beneath the bark.  After careful evaluation of some other trees, I noticed there was activity in several others.  They leave a tell tale sign by the sawdust type frass beneath the bore holes.  The bark was simply undercut by continual activity.

    As always, certain levels of insect activity is good.  If we notice an epidemic we can re-evaluate our management strategy.  I suggest we sit back and monitor/evaluate at this time.”

    Larry Maginnis, Urban Forestry Supervisor

    Thanks to Larry for his  observations and apologies for wrongly assuming vandalism.  Any noted vegetative damage in the future will be first taken to Larry.

     

     

  • Sequoia tree vandalism

    See update to this post at Tree vandalism correction

    Another case of vandalism to our trees in Pier Park.  This is the second time this tree has been damaged. About two months ago, a much smaller section of bark from the lower section was taken off.  This time, a larger section was pulled off – see images. The affected tree is the 2nd largest sequoia in the grove.  It is located in the far left corner of the grove – as you view the grove from the bridge. The destruction goes 70″ up the tree from its base – it measures 12″ at its widest point.

    According to The Woodland Workbook – Forest Protection May, 2003, Oregon State University Extension Service, “it is important to recognize that minor tree wounds (not serious enough to restrict tree growth) might provide entrance points for biotic diseases and/or destructive insects. Disease and insect damage may prove worse than the physical damage …”

    Sequoia damaged
    Bark removed from a sequoia
    Closeup of damage to a Sequoia tree bark

    Vandalism to our trees are not only destructive, but illegal. City Auditor’s Office Chapter 20.12.100: “No person shall remove, destroy, break, injure, mutilate, or deface in any way in any Park any tree, shrub, fern, plant, flower, or other vegetation without a permit” …   Any person convicted of such vandalism will be “punished by a fine of not more than $500, or by imprisonment for a period of not more than 6 months, or by both such fine and imprisonment… ” City Auditor’s Office Chapter 1.01.140

    Please help by reporting to Park rangers (503-823-1637) anyone you witness vandalizing any of the trees in this park. Any thoughts about what we can do about this kind of action?

  • Giant Sequoia – Sequoiadendron giganteum

    Sequoia-overview
    Pier Park sequoia grove as seen from a distance

    Here in Pier Park there is a significant grouping of 29 giant sequoias and one coastal redwood located upon a knoll at the north end of the park. Giant sequoias are the world’s largest single trees by volume and given the right environment, they are known for their longevity, living up to 3,000 years.

    Sequoia-tree-1
    One sequoia in the Pier Park grove

    These sequoias are infants, being planted 60 years ago. From a distance you can see the gigantic pyramidal shaped trees. Crossing over the bridge from Chimney Park, bikers and walkers will be greeted by these gentle giants. From the bridge, the path winds through this grove of sequoias.

    Sequoia-needles-closeup
    Sequoia scale-like leaves

    Though sequoias trees themselves are large and strong, they have feeder roots that are fragile, tender and shallow. Because the health of the giant sequoias depend on these roots for hydration, it is important to take care when treading in the grove.

    The bark of the sequoia, which can grow to an impressive 3 feet in thickness, is fibrous and absorbs moisture somewhat like a sponge for the tree. This blanket of bark helps to protect these trees from lightening strikes and fire.

    A sequoia is not only a tree but a unique ecosystem unto itself providing food and shelter to insects such as beetles and butterflies as well as robins and chipmunks, squirrels and bats. Pause. Admire the height and girth of the trees. Pier Park is blessed to have this grove of giant sequoias within its family of trees.

    The National Park Service provides a wonderfully detailed description and history of the giant sequoia.

    Photos and text by Joanie Beldin

  • Tree Vandalism

    I just want to bring attention to vandalism that was done to one of the small trees in the park.
    I have no idea who would have done this. It’s upsetting that this kind of destruction has happened.
    If anyone has any idea who could have done this or how this was done, please share your information with the Pier Park staff and Friends of Pier Park.

    The black lines on the picture of the tree indicate where the damage is. The girdling on the main trunk goes half way around. The girdling on the upright branch encircles the entire branch.
    Pier Park staff, Portland Parks and the Urban Forester have been notified.

    Joanie Beldin

    Tree-damage-1
    Tree-damage-on-branch

  • Douglas Fir – Pseudotsuga menziesii

    Walk through Pier Park and you find yourself walking under the high canopy of Oregon’s state tree  – the Douglas fir. Douglas firs definitely dominate the park’s landscape.  Coastal Douglas firs are the 2nd tallest trees in the world (2nd to the Redwood) and can live between 500 – 1000 years old.

    Doug-fir-landscape

    Douglas firs, named after the famous Scottish botanist, David Douglas, are not true firs. Unlike a true fir its cones grow downward. Seeds from the cones, easily identified by the 3-forked looking bracts, are a favorite food of the park’s squirrels, which eat them like corn on the cob. Watch for squirrel “middens” – piles of cone scales –and chewed cones on your next walk. Douglas fir needles are the sole diet of the Red Tree Vole.

    Douglas Fir photo by Joanie Beldin

    Coast Douglas fir is one of the world’s best timber producers. Its wood is widely used for dimensional lumber, flooring, railroad ties and plywood. Its sap is a source for glue and photo supplies from its sap. This is the nations most popular Christmas tree.

    Summer in Pier Park would not be the same without the shade of our Douglas firs.

    Photo and text by Joanie Beldin