Collecting in the Sierras

Drove to Tahoe on a Friday afternoon, explored the trail & peaks without gear. Sunset, returned to set up camp. “Tried” to sleep under tent at freezing temp. Star-filled black velvet sky, framed by alpine trees.

What I saw and appreciated:

• Sierra Junipers—resilient, twisted, aged, living

• Ponderosa Pines—armor, dragon-scaled bark, long needles

• Lodgepole Pines—straight, spindly, can be made into forest plantings

• Jeffrey Pines—shorter needles, silvery smoother bark, short needles

• White Bark Pines—shorter needles, white smooth bark (endangered, do not collect)

Check if the anchored roots are shallow and movable or rigid.

Consider local accent plants: succulents, mosses, grass.