Tree Diversity   by Tom Heald    airs Oct. 26, 2008    1:30 long

You know, Wyoming’s mountain forests are tremendously divers. For example, just within 30 feet of me are six different tree and shrub species.

Let’s start off with aspen. It’s Latin name is Populous Tremuloidies, and for good reason. As it blows in the wind, you can see the leaves tremble, if you will. And then , Sagebrush. This one, Wyoming Big sagebrush, is very important to the state of Wyoming.

Right over here is what’s called Common Juniper. Now these berries are very important for wildlife, but did you know they also go to flavor that alcoholic beverage called Gin.

And simply right above this is what’s called Limber Pine. We can tell Limber Pine for two reasons, one is the needles have brachs of five needles. But the other incredible thing is that I can tie the branch into a pretzel and not harm it.

Then as we walk over here, what is probably the most common tree in the forest, Lodgepole Pine, it’s needles have brachs of just two. And then simply right behind me, most folks would consider these to be Spruce trees, in reality these trees are fir trees. Now the reason I know this is that as I go up here and touch the needles, they are very soft, in fact these are Douglas Fir.

So as you are exploring Wyoming’s mountain forests, please remember that diversity is the name of the game, it’s much more than just a pine forest. This has been Tom Heald for the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service, exploring the nature of Wyoming.