Welcoming a native endangered pine at the CCAG

This week, we've been growing plants for our Atlas nature preserve. In this post, we'll discuss a few of many plants that were grown here in the past week, their benefits to animals and more.

Monterey Pine:

The Monterey Pine is native to California and is endangered. We decided to plant some to bring back their population.Here at the CCAG, we were lucky enough to find a Monterey Pine cone in the wild. Pine cones contain pine seeds, which are good food sources for birds. Some pines called piñons are roasted for a tasty nutty snack for humans as well.

Growing it

We refrigerated 10 seeds in early September. Cold saps help dormant seeds, especially conifers germinate faster. We checked on the seeds on October 2. Out of the ten seeds, three sprouted. Two of the seeds quickly grew, while the other one wilted and died. Recently, the two pine trees grew to about 4" and 3" and were planted in different containers. The Monterey pine hosts many native mushrooms, and can attract Monarch Butterflies in the winter. We are so happy to be bringing back the Monterey Pine's presence to California in addition to so many native animals who depend on it to survive! We hope to plant both trees near our Monterey Cypress tree this spring.

A Monterey pine seedling after a month of growth.

Arroyo Willow:

This willow is a very common native in California, specifically found around freshwater marshes. It is an extremely fast growing shrub important to frogs, salamanders and rodents because it gives shade and the bark can be used to make nests. Many birds such as the red-winged blackbird like to perch on top of the branches. When the willow flowers, it's seeds are dispersed in the wind, which birds can use to make nests.

Growing it

At the CCAG, we propagated the willow by cuttings. While most plants are hard to grow from cuttings, the willow genus Salix has a reputation for growing very strong roots. All you have to do is strip the cutting of leaves and place it in a glass of water. We have 7 cuttings, and we are going to plant it near the Atlas pond, to make it have a more marsh like feel.

Toyon

Also known as "California holly," this native plant bears colorful red berries that are sometimes used as holiday decor. The raw berries are poisonous to humans (containing cyanide), but is supposedly a very attractive plant that hummingbirds, birds and pollinators are attracted to.

It was also a Native American dish. It is said that Native Americans like the Kumeyaay and Ohlone cooked it to get rid of the cyanide. Toyon tastes bitter, but helped the Native Americans with an upset stomach. Kind of like a sour Goji berry of the 19th Century. This plant is related to strawberries, apples, and roses.

Growing it.

We collected some berries from Los Gatos, CA. About 20 seeds were removed from the berries and are currently planted in a pot with clay-based soil.

A toyon I found in Los Gatos, Ca

We also have other plants, such as the California Bay Laurel, Beachgrass, Coyote Brush, Beach Verbena and Beach Strawberry.

A bay plant I found in Los Gatos, CA. CA bays have the same purpose as regular bay leaves. They are in the same family as Avocados. At the CCAG, we planted one seedling.