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esrmpinus t1_j6ymqnt wrote

Western Hemlock! They are prone to get mistletoe infection on their branches which creates the funky witch's broom growth. Beautiful pic

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pastoriagym OP t1_j6ynj7q wrote

Oh wow TIL. I knew mistletoe was a parasite but I didn't know there was one that effects hemlocks and that's what makes those funky branches. I should check the hemlock in my yard and see if it has mistletoe.. Thank you!

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esrmpinus t1_j6yoy92 wrote

While it is parasitic, I don't think it's necessarily bad or hurt the tree. Doesn't make good timber but they are actually quite good for habit:) birds and other species (like the ferns here) are taking advantage of the platform being created. More common in older trees for sure

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pastoriagym OP t1_j6ypstf wrote

I'm always trying to explain to people that every kind of parasite is important and is fulfilling an ecological niche and wasn't just put on earth to make life harder. I mean, ticks, fleas, and mosquitos suck but they're important!

Mushrooms are one of my special interests and I see that a lot when talking to people who don't know much about them. Granted some mushrooms do attack trees but even that is important, fallen trees and snags provide important habitat to so many other species and recycle nutrients back into the forest.

It is awesome to learn we have a type of mistletoe in these parts though, I'll have to keep an eye out for it so I can get a closer look.

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esrmpinus t1_j6yqftv wrote

Exactly! I am on Kitsap peninsula too and pick mushrooms. Great to find somebody else out there appreciating nature!

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pastoriagym OP t1_j6yqyh6 wrote

Heck yeah! If I'm not hanging with my chickens I'm sitting in the moss looking at tiny mushrooms.

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RandyJohnsonsBird t1_j70ikcm wrote

It will eventually kill the tree above the point where the mistletoe hits the bole.

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Stabbymcappleton t1_j6yodm9 wrote

Fun fact: Out on the Olympic coast the moss and ferns on the tops of branches are their very own micro-ecosystem with unique flora and fauna.
Same with the ledges on cliffs in the mountains. The falcon nests, mosses, plants, and insects are all very unique. They’re up high and relatively safe compared to being on the ground.

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pastoriagym OP t1_j6yos7x wrote

Yes! I grew up outside and my family has always been outdoorspeople so I've gotten to see a lot of different habitats in WA and learn about them. I wish that I wasn't terrified of climbing things so I could go up there and see them (of course that would damage the moss and plants anyways so it's for the best)

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mantalinimangoes t1_j6xud7x wrote

Looks like a Hemlock but sweet pic!

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pastoriagym OP t1_j6yc5f7 wrote

You're probably right, thank you!

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Crackertron t1_j6yfksd wrote

Yeah the bark looks like hemlock but there's probably sitka spruces all over in that grove.

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pastoriagym OP t1_j6yfpy0 wrote

Oh yeah there were spruces everywhere, I assumed it was a spruce because it had funky shaped branches, something I see a lot in spruce trees, but hemlocks can be funky too if they want.

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Nixx_Mazda t1_j6z4fms wrote

Cool.

I find forest photography to be very tough. Sometimes the moss, ferns, branches, etc...will catch my eye, but getting a good photo is hard for me.

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pastoriagym OP t1_j6z4wxr wrote

Lots of practice! What do you feel makes it hard for you to get the photo you're envisioning?

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[deleted] t1_j6z8ans wrote

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pastoriagym OP t1_j6z9a89 wrote

It surprised me too! There were plenty of licorice ferns and leathery polypodys but these really caught my eye

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dailyqt t1_j6zovyg wrote

I grew up in a forest much like the one pictured, about twenty minutes from the coast and the boarder.

I'm kind of confused by this comment, because my home is SURROUNDED by sword ferns. I just googled licorice fern, and while it looks similar, it's not much more similar than any of the other dozens of fern species.

Is it common for people to make this mistake?

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[deleted] t1_j6ztf6e wrote

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dailyqt t1_j6zurpv wrote

TIL! Very cool! Admittedly, I can't recall any trees around my house that have ferns growing in them, so I guess that's why I wasn't aware:)

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[deleted] t1_j6zux32 wrote

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dailyqt t1_j6zwnv9 wrote

My non PNW-native husband visited my home with me recently, and he asked me what he could do about the stinging nettle he got on his hands.

I was SO happy to finally use that random piece of knowledge that I haven't used in like seven years hahaha. Ferns really are cool! Especially sword ferns, in my opinion.

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dailyqt t1_j6zo9ol wrote

This is the most PNW photo to ever exist

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Soosietyrell t1_j6zwkvn wrote

Have seen them growing on Doug Firs ESE of Seattle where I grew up! Its amazing isn’t it!

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pastoriagym OP t1_j6zy396 wrote

I'm used to seeing licorice ferns on trees but not sword ferns! They're not normally epiphytic but life, uh, finds a way! I haven't seen those one in particular sadly but they sound amazing.

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01804580171 t1_j70k3wn wrote

Mother Nature is pretty amazing for sure:)

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l00koverthere1 t1_j71glay wrote

This is some r/plantsaremetal material right here.

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