A Finale Complete with a Sunset

August 19th was the final day of our exchange trip. We had a wonderful time thanks to Martin Nicholson, who led us to quite a few sites of botanical interest and spectacular beauty just outside of Portland. The day was long and varied, which echoed the theme of the entire two week trip.

Chrysolepis

The color on the underside of the needles is a good indicator of this species

Lupinus along the roadside

Symphoricarpos albus

Symphoricarpos albus

Mt. Hood in the distance

Mt. Hood as we were driving closer

Timberline Lodge, view from the path that leads up the side of Mt. Hood

A view from a landing close to the top of Mt. Hood (about 7,000ft in elevation)

Multnomah Falls

Multnomah Falls, view from the bridge

Left to right: Vladimir, Martin, Mikhail, Gideon, Betty, Anna

A fitting end.

Hoyt Arboretum, Portland Japanese Garden, Cistus Nursery

August 18th,
   The band of botanical brothers and sisters toured three four sites in and around Portland Oregon:

Hoyt Arboretum:
   Our first tour of the day was with Martin Nicholson, curator of Hoyt Arboretum. The Arboretum encompasses 2,900 acres. Their collection includes representation of 270 species of conifers as well as an assemblage of 62 endangered species in ex situ conservation in various locations on the property.

Looking at a map of Hoyt Arboretum
Left to right: Vladimir, Mikhail, Anna, Martin, Gideon

Gideon and Martin with Eriobotrya deflexa

Sorbus alnifolia

Sorbus intermedia

Sorbus intermedia

Acer saccharum 'Newton Sentry'

Carpinus japonica

The Portland Japanese Garden:

   Open to the public since 1967, this Japanese Garden sits on 5.5 acres and features five different styles of Japanese Garden design: Flat Garden, Strolling Pond Garden, Tea Garden, Natural Garden, Sand and Stone Garden. To read more about each, click the provided link: http://japanesegarden.com/learn-more/the-five-gardens/

Left to right: Sadafumi Uchiyama (curator), Martin, Anna, Gideon

The Portland Botanic Rose Garden:

'Sunny Sky'

'Neil Diamond'

Cistus Nursery:

HJ Andrew’s Experimental Forest

   August 17^th – The team trekked into the wilderness of HJ Andrew’s Experimental forest with Mark Schultze. During our tour, we were shown two research stations, a second growth forest, and an old growth forest.

Hiking to the first monitoring station

The machine at the bottom of the stairs/end of the bridge is used to monitor multiple factors (weather, carbon, respiration) in order to help track carbon sequestering in the area.

Mark Schultze describes the purpose of the research station

The same research station from a different angle

Again, the same research station from a different angle

Researchers tend to leave various items in the forest. Sometimes they forgot to remove them from the area once their project is complete.

This was a 30 year old experiment using soda lime to measure the respiration of a cut log. This was the second research area.

A view of the second growth forest: this area had been clear-cut in the 1960's

Another view of the second growth forest.

Next, we entered an old growth forest.

Mark had to leave us before the long hike, so we took a quick group photo.
Left to right: Gideon, Dave, Mark, Anna, Vladimir, and Mikhail

Aralia

Sapling on a nurse log 

A very common site in this area.

Vladimir

"Russian bears in American forest" - said Mikhail as he and Anna ate some blueberries. :)

View of the second growth forest

Cornus canadensis leaves

Cornus canadensis flower

Cornus canadensis fruit: we were so lucky to see all three

Clintonia

Monotropa uniflora - another saprophytic plant

Anna

A bridge: everyone made it across successfully. :)

Cladonia species of lichen

Possibly Parmelia

Mosses hanging from branches

Spirit of the forest? Mother of the forest? What do you see?