YOSEMITE NATURE NOTES 



axis of the tree is continued through 

 the crown, to a wide-spreading type 

 (as in the California black oak) in 

 which case the trunk divides into sev- 

 eral large limbs. 



Beauty of Deciduous Trees 

 In Winter 



The beauty of our deciduous trees 

 in winter should not be overlooked. 

 Even though devoid of foliage at that 

 time the rigors of that season lend a 

 distinctive charm to these trees. This 

 is of particular importance in areas 

 such as Yosemite Valley. Here, after 

 a snow storm, the naked branches of 



the California black oak are often 

 sheathed with a coating of snow 

 which presents a glistening pattern 

 against the background of a blue Si- 

 erra sky. On such occasions these 

 trees contribute, in no small measure, 

 to the development of a veritable 

 fairyland of exquisite beauty. 



Plan and Organization of 

 This Publication 



The descriptions of the broadleaved 

 trees found in Yosemite National 

 Park, as noted on the following 

 pages, are presented in a style de- 

 signed primarily for the layman. In 



friim draning by C. Irjiik Bruikiiiiiii 



4. CALIFORNIA BLACK OAK. Twigs moderate to slender, often fluted. Leaf scars alternate, moder- 

 ate to small in size, half round .;;;</ someuhat raised, with numerous bundle scars. Clusters of several buds 

 at tip of twin; lateral buds solitary. Buds sessile (not stalked) with ot erlapping, scales arranged in fne 

 ranks. Pith small and someuhat star-shaped in cross section. 



5. BlGLEAl- MAPLE. Twigs stout. Leaf scars opposite. U-shaped, and with U9 bundle scars. Buds 

 sessile, stout, blunt, ui/h 3-4 pairs of oterlapping scales. Set rral buds clustered at tip of tuig: lateral 

 buds solitary. 



6. PACIIIC DOGWOOD. Twig\ slender. Leaf stars opposite, narrow, crescent or U-shaped with three 

 bundle scars. Leaf scars encircle twig, are commonly raised during first winter on petiole bases — later 

 sluff off at level of twig. Buds solitary, stalked, oblong, with pair of vallate scales. 



