joshuadavis5's Journal

Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) - PG 25

Key: 1', 2', 3', 5', 8

Group 7: 1', 2', 5', 8'

Maples Key: 1', 2', 9', 10', 11', 12'

Schinus Molle (Peruvian Peppertree) - PG 108

Key: 1', 2', 3', 5, 6', 7'

Group 6: 1', 3', 11, 12', 13

It was a Tuesday afternoon. I knew I had to get this assignment done but I wanted to go to a place where I could escape. Life has been hectic, and as I was driving around I thought of the perfect place. The iconic Pirates Cove in San Luis Obispo. Pirates cove is a beach, but in order to get to the beach you have to walk down this rocky cliff that is filled with different types of plants. I walked around for about half a miles, observing nature and enjoying being out in the sun. When you look up all you see is the entire ocean, rocky cliffs, and seagulls flying past you. Stunning. At the trailhead, I came across a Peruvian Peppertree, which are beautiful to me. Of course I came across some poison oak while walking down to the beach, and the trail was lined with sagebrush. The soil was dry, but the plants were plentiful. I couldn't keep my eyes off the view, if you have never been to pirates cove I heavily suggest it.

I have no clue if this will ever be read, but Im going to take this time to reflect on what it is about nature that is so calming, enjoyable, and what it does for me. Recently this year my mom was diagnosed with cancer that was not curable. I was living a life that was pretty much tragedy free, so I was not fully prepared for this, although I would argue no one would be at my age or really ever. In figuring out my emotions on this topic, working through the situation, and finding a sense of peace the only place I could ever do that was in nature. I think nature has a very unique way of connecting us to life. We can understand how we are all connected to this bigger picture. Plants, humans, and life comes and goes, but just as plants leave their seeds, so do humans. Humans spend their whole time running from the idea of mortality, but there is almost a selflessness and beauty to mortality. We are making room for the new and unique species to come. Hopefully leaving the world in a better place. Natures vastness makes us feel small, yet at the same times gives us hope that we are apart of something greater than ourselves.

So on Tuesday I went back to my muse. I was stressed, worried about the future, and quite honestly a bit lost. Yet again nature had a way of pointing me back to a place that was outside of my own head. It pointed me at an ocean that stretched beyond my eyesight, to plants that have been around longer than all of us, to seagulls flying over head, and ultimately it grounded me back in the present moment. Nature is a constant reminder to take yourself a little less seriously, to enjoy the world we live in, to be present, and ultimately to respect life for what it is. Good.

Olea Eurpaea (Olive Tree) - Page 90

Key: 1', 2', 3', 5', 8

Group 7: 1', 2', 5', 7', 9', 10', 12', 13, 14'

Erythrina crust-galli (Cockspur Coral Tree) - Page 51

Key: 1', 2', 3', 5, 6', 7'

Group 6: 1, 2

For this Identification assignment I identified a few trees that were very different. One was a tree that felt very familiar. That tree being the olive tree. I grew up around olive trees and I have always enjoyed them. The other was a tree I never really felt I saw until I came to cal poly and that was the Cockspur Coral tree. This tree stood out to me because I would always walk by it leaving class and admire the uniqueness of it. It is large and has beautiful flowers on it. I enjoyed identifying both types of trees.

For this tree identification, I decided to go somewhere I feel I always am, but never really pay too much attention to the trees. This place is Cal Poly's Campus. On my run today, I first came across a tree I always pass and admire, but never knew what it was. I attempted to figure that out. The second tree I identified is next to the business building I always walk by on my way to class.

Quercus lobata (Valley Oak) - pg 104

1', 2', 3', 5', 8', 9', 13', 14', 15

Group 10: 1

Quercus spp key: 1', 5', 8', 9'

Sequoia sempervirens (Coast Redwood)

1', 2', 3, 4'

Group 3: 1', 2', 4', 5', 6', 7', 11'

It was a Tuesday afternoon, I was tired of sitting inside mindlessly doing homework on my computer. I needed an escape, but wasn't sure what I should do. I soon realized the best escape could be do go explore the area around me. So I decided to hike bishops peak. I have hiked Bishops peak many times, but I have never paid deep attention to the plants there and the diversity that occurs there.

Bishops peak is a mountain trail that is a few miles long, but has a steep incline. Some plants are constant along the trail , but some came in patches. The first plant I observed I knew I had seen many times before. I remember being frustrated that I couldn't name what plant it was. Turns out it was poison oak. Not the present surprise I was looking for (fingers crossed I don't get it). I remember laughing to myself and then continuing on my hike. A few plant stood out to me was wood ferns. I really liked the color and style of plant. I have always been curious why being in nature has a way of relaxing me, or making me feel more present. Certain plants and colors can evoke specific emotions. The wood fern for some reason relaxed me.

The trail continued on and there seemed to be a lot of coastal sage scrub and oak woodland. The trail had different rock structures along the side where people can rock climb, was constantly surrounded by plants, and had a lot of switchbacks up the mountain. The best feeling was getting to the top and looking at SLO from a birds eye view. This time the peak felt different, I noticed how many houses were built amongst nature. Rather than feeling guilty about destroying nature I came to the conclusion that humans are meant to be among nature and build a true appreciation for it. Although we may displace certain species, plants have a way of adapting and surviving, and we as humans must do our best to respect and support the continual growth of plant species. In a time of quarantine there is no better therapy than to go outside and be an observer of nature. Recognizing the beauty and goodness of life itself. Can't wait for the next height.

Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple) - pg 24

Key: 1' , 2' , 3' , 5' , 8

Group 7: 1' , 2' , 5' , 8'

Ulmus parvifolia (Chinese Elm) - pg 116

Key: 1 ' 2' , 3' , 5' , 8' , 9' , 13' , 14' , 15'

Group 11: 1' , 2' , 6' , 7' , 12' , 13 ' , 14

For this assignment we had the opportunity to observe and identify trees in our local community. I am currently living in San Luis Obispo, and walked around near Cal Polys Campus. I was surprised to see the amount.of diversity in the types of trees that were in SLO. I ended up observing and identifying two trees. The first was a Chinese Maple ( my personal favorite) and also a Chinese Elm. The Chinese maple had a very peaceful energy about it. The dark red color was extremely unique and attractive. The Chinese Elm seemed more common in this area. Overall I was pleasantly surprised with the amount of different kinds of trees there are in SLO. On ethnic I have realized from observing more trees, is the different kinds of emotions that different trees can stir up. There are large powerful trees that stir up a sense of awe, and there are beautiful trees like the Chinese maple that automatically relax you. Nature is healing and the more we are stuck in quarantine the more I am seeing the natural therapy that can come from nature.

For my walk in nature, I went to Perfumo Canyon road. I drove all the way to the top where there was a beautiful view of San Luis Obispo. The road was on top of a mountain ridge and was rolling hills and trees. As I walked I came upon a mixture of native plants, combined with plants that did not appear to be native. There was a couple of houses along the road that had plants in front of them as well. There was grasses, a scattered amount of trees, and beautiful flowers that were along side the road. You could see the ocean at a distance, but there was no nearby water sources. Amongst the beautiful nature, there was also a cows who were feeding on the grass. It felt like a combination of a woodland, and a grassland, on a mountain. Overall, it was an extremely peaceful walk, with animals, good views, and attractive plants.