May 26, 2020

Street Tree Observations Key (Callery Pear & Selkova)

For these street tree observations, I looked around my apartment complex and found these two common trees that are planted in front of most apartments. I have grown up with these plants always right outside so I wanted to finally identify what type of trees they were. The keying was a lot harder for the Japanese Zelkova because I doubted a few of the answers, but the Callery Pear was much easier (with the help of iNaturalist's suggestions too).

Here are the keying processes:

Key to groups: 1’, 2’, 3’, 5’, 8’, 9’, 13’, 14’, 15’ - Group 11

Group: 11 - 1’, 2’, 6’, 7, 8’, 9’, 10’, 11

Species and book page: Callery or Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana)

Key to groups: 1’, 2’, 3’, 5’, 8’, 9’, 13’, 14’, 15’ - Group 11

Group: 11 - 1’, 2’, 6’, 7’, 12’, 13
Species and book page: Sawleaf Zelkova (Zelkova serrata)

Posted on May 26, 2020 07:12 AM by melissatoussimehr melissatoussimehr | 2 observations | 0 comments | Leave a comment

Stevens Creek County Park Observations!

For this project, I was able to drive about 20 minutes from my home to the Stevens Creek Reservoir and County Park to make some observations. The reservoir and park are located in Cupertino, California, and are easily accessible. I reached the reservoir first and walked about 10 minutes on the trail around until I reached a Valley Oak and took some pictures. I noticed large, dark hanging circular nuts/fruits and deeply lobed leaves. On my walk back to the parking lot, I noticed small yellow flowers on the side of the trail. I followed with the iNaturalist recommendation and did indeed confirm the flowers were Golden Yarrow. There were tons along the walk back and I felt prouder knowing the names. For the other three observations, I headed down towards the County Park and towards the entrance of the trails. There was a large low hanging tree with huge jagged, lobed leaves. The trunk of the tree was covered in some type of green moss, but I was able to later identify the tree as a Boxelder. Near the parking lot was a taller tree with large opposite leaves. There were smaller green fruits forming between the leaves, which are walnuts. I might revisit the Persian Walnut tree later once the walnuts have reached maturity. Along the ground, there were greens leaves and smaller purple flowers. I had never seen such purple flowers before so I took pictures and uploaded them. It turns out the plant is a Greater Periwinkle.

Overall this was a fun experience and I am glad I took some observations of flowers along the way. The trails themselves were pretty easy to trek, but the weather is definitely getting warmer. There were surprisingly a lot of people out and about. I got some strange looks while standing under the trees and taking pictures, but I have learned a new found appreciation for the world around me. It gives a sense of pride to know the plants that surround the space I call home.

Posted on May 26, 2020 07:02 AM by melissatoussimehr melissatoussimehr | 5 observations | 0 comments | Leave a comment

Street Tree Observations Key (Magnolia & Chestnut)

For these two observations, I went out around the neighborhood in Sunnyvale and took pictures right alongside the road. The Magnolia tree was easily identifiable from its large leaves and white flowers, however, I had no idea what the Chestnut tree was. After keying both trees out and coming to a Southern Magnolia and European Horse Chestnut, I am satisfied with the results. The Magnolia tree seemed to have been lifting the sidewalk with its roots. The Chestnut tree's flowers were also beautiful. Both were fascinating to look at closer.

Here were the keying steps:

Key to groups: 1’, 2’, 3’, 5’, 8’, 9’, 13 - Group 8
Group: 8 - 1’, 3’, 4’, 16’, 18’, 19’, 23’, 24’, 27, 28

Species and book page: Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)

Key to groups: 1’, 2’, 3’, 5, 6 - Group 4

Group: 4 - 1’, 5’, 7’, 8, 9’

Species and book page: European Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)

Posted on May 26, 2020 06:25 AM by melissatoussimehr melissatoussimehr | 2 observations | 0 comments | Leave a comment

May 7, 2020

Rancho San Antonio Preserve

For this project, I was able to drive out to Rancho San Antonio Preserve located in Cupertino, California (Bay Area). Upon entering onto the beginning trail towards Deer Hollow Farm (about 15 minutes from the parking lot), I was able to take pictures of a Coast Live Oak on the side of the pathway. Upon closer look at the trunk and bark of the tree, I noticed a lot of white cocoons (potentially caterpillars). Ahead of me was a huge tree and a sign with information posted about it on the side. The sign stated that this tree was the second largest California Bay tree in the state and showed the different regions in California that the species was native to. A bit further up the trail, there were more trees that provided shade on the walkway. I noticed a different tree, which I was able to associate with an Oak tree. Smaller in the brushes, was a Blackwood tree with skinny branches and thin leaves. The last tree I was able to observe was tall tree that had interesting hanging seeds (not sure if it was an actual seed). Fortunately, an ID suggested it was a Walnut tree.

The landscape itself was very flat, dusty, and sunny with a few areas of shade. I was able to observe a few cranes in the grass field, which leads me to believe there is a water source nearby, and many ground squirrels. I did not notice many wildflowers or grasses, but there were plenty of shrubs, trees, and bushes along the trail. I enjoyed this project because I was finally able to get outside (with social distancing of course) and breathe in the fresh air with an extra attention to the trees around the area.

Posted on May 7, 2020 06:16 AM by melissatoussimehr melissatoussimehr | 5 observations | 0 comments | Leave a comment

Street Tree Observations!

In this project, I was able to take observations and identify 5 trees around my neighborhood in Mountain View, California (Bay Area). I was able to walk around my apartment complex and see different species of trees within just a 5 minute walk of each another. The most interesting one I was able to key out was the Ginkgo tree, and ultimately the one I would use as toilet paper (if the circumstances called for such drastic measures). It was incredibly smooth to touch and easy to handle. The aesthetic of such trees adds an extra layer of leisure around the neighborhood. It also attracts many insects and animals, that promotes its own mini biological community. Such greenery and blossoming brings me joy and happiness, as I am sure does for the other inhabitants in my apartment complex. Non of the trees I observed in this project were native to the area and instead were planted by humans (I am assuming the gardening team in charge). It was engaging to see such variety of species that I otherwise would probably have never came into contact with, but also thought provoking. I wonder if bringing so many non-native species of trees limits the space of native species as well as shifts the biological community for the native species that are sharing the space. Nevertheless, the keying process, observations, and journaling about these street tress was a new process that I am very happy with.

Mediterranean Cypress -
Key to groups: 1’, 2’, 3, 4. - Group 2

Group: 2 - 1’, 4, 5’

Species and book page: Cupressus sempervirens (Italian Cypress), location 1097 (Kindle)

Pine -
Key to groups: 1’, 2’, 3, 4’ - Group 3

Group: 3 - 1’, 3

Species and book page: Pinus (spp.), location 1245 (Kindle)

Ginkgo -
Key to groups: 1’, 2’, 3’, 5’, 8’, 9, 10

Group: N/A

Species and book page: Ginkgo biloba, location 1122 (Kindle)

Ashes -
Key to groups: 1’, 2’, 3’, 5, 6’, 7 - Group 5

Group: 5 - 1’, 3’, 5

Species and book page: Ashes (Fraxinus spp.), location 2634 (Kindle)

Crape-Myrtles -
Key to groups: 1’, 2’, 3’, 5’, 8’, 9’, 13 - Group 8

Group: 8 - 1’, 3’, 4’, 16’, 18’, 19’, 23’, 24’, 27’, 29’, 30’, 31’, 32’, 33’, 34’, 35

Species and book page: Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia spp.), location 2905 (Kindle)

Posted on May 7, 2020 05:53 AM by melissatoussimehr melissatoussimehr | 5 observations | 0 comments | Leave a comment

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