12 Summer 2011 Applegater
A simple classification of
The Applegate Watershed trees
By thomas atzet anD eD ReiLLy
Classifications are created to
simplify. We classify ourselves as Democrats
or Republicans, red states or blue states.
Such classifications have the advantage of
giving us a quick assessment of an otherwise
complicated environment. The red-blue
political map of United States provides a
contemporary view of political position,
but it tells us little about potential. That
takes more effort and understanding.
The Applegate “Tree Series” map
you see on this page, like the red-blue
political map, is a simplification of the
most complicated ecosystem in the
United States. It, too, gives us a quick,
simple view, but in this case, we are
mapping potential vegetation, not current
condition. Each colored Tree Series
represents what each landscape would be,
if left undisturbed for several hundred
years, under the current climate. If there
were no fires, droughts, windstorms,
freezes, floods or epidemics, the highest
elevations in the watershed would be
dominated by the Western Hemlock
Series or by bunch grasses, lupine, pussy-
paws and buckwheat, above timberline.
Just under 80% of the Watershed is
either the Douglas-fir Series (about 60%)
or the White Fir Series (about 20%). The
other eight Series (20%) attest to the
diversity found here and in southwest
Oregon in general. These are often
elements of plant “migrations” during
hot, dry climates such as the Ponderosa
Pine, Steppe, Oregon White Oak and
the Jeffrey pine Series. The White Fir and
Mountain Hemlock Series flourished when
the climate was cooler and wetter than
today. All of these elements, although not
extensive, are an important part of the
diversity and charm of the Watershed.
Before I describe each tree series,
however, consider this. Classifications
are unique. Each is constructed based
on the views of a particular person
for a specific purpose. A classification
is not reality. Most often it is a loose
representation of what its creator believes
to be true. The map allows us to plan,
speculate and evaluate various scenarios.
the tRee seRies
There are ten series listed. Each
has different characteristics and behaves
differently. For example, the Jeffrey Pine
Series occurs on weird soils, geologists
call ultrabasic, that contain toxic metals,
have very little calcium, are high in
magnesium, and cannot store much water.
Consequently, they are very unfertile
and produce sparse forests, dominated
by Jeffrey pine. Few other species can
tolerate this “serpentine syndrome.”
This Series occurs only on randomly
distributed ultrabasic geologic types.
Red Mountain is a typical example.
Mountain hemlock is the only
tree series principally limited by cold
temperatures rather than lack of water. In
Mediterranean ecosystems such as ours,
water is typically the limiting factor for
reproduction, growth and survival. So
the few glacial cirques carved out on the
north facing slopes during the Ice Ages are
mountain Hemlock’s prime habitat. There
are a few isolated stands and scattered
trees along the Siskiyou Crest, but this
Tree Series is greatly limited in extent.
Above timberline, cold soil and air
see tRees, page 15
Growing table grapes
By RoBeRt ReynoLDs
Table grapes are a wonderful addition
to the home garden and landscape. Many
varieties do very well in southwest Oregon.
And nothing tastes better than a handful of
ripe grapes picked at the peak ripeness and
eaten while you wander around the rest of
the garden. And once established they’re
easy care. Pruning and picking are the
primary activities in the home vineyard.
This is the time of year when
you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor,
picking them for eating or for juice.
There are several signs that can help
you judge the ripeness of your grapes.
• The color of ripe grapes varies with
cultivar. Once you become familiar with
a particular variety, color can help you
judge when the grapes are getting close
to maturity.
• The stem that supports the cluster
changes from green to brown as the
cluster reaches maturity.
• The seeds of seeded grapes darken as the
berry matures.
The best way to judge whether
table grapes are ripe is to taste them. Taste
T
aste berries at the tip of the
cluster. these are the last to
ripen. grapes become sweeter…
berries at the tip of the cluster. These
are the last to ripen. Grapes become
sweeter and less acidic as they mature.
The characteristic aroma and flavor of
a cultivar develops relatively late in the
ripening process with intensity increasing
as the grapes hang. Don’t leave them too
long as they will begin to soften and are
more likely to be infested with the spotted
wing drosophila. So although you don’t
want to pick them before they’re fully
ripe, don’t let them over-ripen either.
If you don’t already have established
vines, or you want to add a new variety, fall
is the time to prepare a site for planting
next spring. Pick a site that receives
sunlight for most of the day. Full sunlight
is required to get good production from
table grapes. Plant the row running north
to south if possible, exposing the leave and
fruit more evenly to sunlight than if the
row runs east to west. Grapes will tolerate
a wide variety of soil types, but will do best
in well-drained soils. Avoid areas prone to
early spring frost as the new growth in April
and May is susceptible to frost damage.
see gRaPes, page 17