What happened at the top of my fast-growing Douglas-Fir trees during our big ice storm? Come into my post and see!
Here's the first post on the Great Willamette Valley Ice Storm of 2016. I've already shown the effect of the ice on my Sequoia and Larch Trees; Blue Spruce and Western Redcedar Trees; Noble Fir, Grand Fir, and Eastern White Pine Trees; and some Douglas-Firs. I'll be showing how the ice affected other trees and plants in future photosets, like River Birch, Ponderosa Pine, fruit trees, and more.
Douglas-Fir
Weather near the ground can be different than higher up at tree-top level, where the wind is often stronger and the temperatures cooler. During our big ice storm in December, I was worried about the tops of my Douglas-Fir trees (Pseudotsuga menziesii). Douglas-firs grow so fast here in Oregon's Willamette Valley. They put a lot of energy into reaching up, up, up. Maybe they wouldn't have as much strength as tree tops that grow more slowly and more stocky.
I planted a set of Douglas-Fir trees, only a few years ago. You can read more about these emblematic trees of the Pacific Northwest in my last post about the big ice storm in December. I want to stress how much ice was on the lower branches of these trees - a lot!
But looking up at the higher parts of these trees, it was a different story.
The tops of the trees didn't look stressed. Instead, they looked pretty goofy to me. All that lanky, fast growth! It looked like the windier conditions blew a lot of the rain off, only to drip down and weigh down the lower branches. These tree tops reminded me of my gawky teenage years, not quite fitting into my clothes and new height, but being enthusiastic about life anyway.
I'm glad the tops of these Douglas-Firs made it through the storm just fine! I really appreciate the strength and flexibility of the lower branches, too. They took on their own freezing rain, and what dripped down from above. But at least that beautiful ice was easier to see and photograph down low!
How Is Your Winter Going?
Have you had much ice or snow this winter? How have your trees handled the weather this winter?
Other posts in this Ice Storm Series:
- The Great Willamette Valley Ice Storm of 2016
- Sequoia and Larch Trees
- Blue Spruce and Western Redcedar Trees
- Noble Fir, Grand Fir, and Eastern White Pine Trees
- Douglas-Firs 1
Follow me to see more ice storm photosets, including how the ice affected my River Birch, Ponderosa Pine, fruit trees, and more.
** Haphazard Homestead **
*** foraging, gardening, nature, simple living close to the land ***
