You are here

A Tale of Two Joshua Trees

Share

Most Joshua trees feature a variety of contorted branches, but under unique conditions the trees can grow ramrod straight. Kurt Repanshek photos.

All trees are not created equal. While that statement can be proved in any forest, in Joshua Tree National Park the park's namesake trees really define that statement.

Joshua trees themselves are contortionists, their branches bending and curving this way and that. So when you come upon one that is ramrod straight, well, it stands out.

During my trip to the park earlier this year I was able to find time to cruise the Park Boulevard, both from Joshua Tree to Twentynine Palms one day and from Twentynine Palms to Josha Tree the next.

And while the park's boulder fields were certainly impressive and inviting for bouldering, the Joshua trees in the photos accompanying these story immediately grabbed my attention. Why, I wondered, was the one tree so straight? Was it some sort of antennae in disguise? Fortunately, the park staff figured this question would come up frequently, and so explained what was going on in the park newspaper:

Like all desert blooms, Joshua trees depend on just the perfect conditions: well-timed rains, and for the Joshua tree, a crisp winter freeze. Researchers believe that below freezing temperatures may damage the growing end of a branch and stimulate flowering, followed by branching. You may notice some Joshua trees grow like straight stalks; these trees have never bloomed -- which is why they are branchless!

If that indeed is the case, then the tree in the bottom photo has endured more than a few freezes!

Comments

Nice article.  It's hard to wander through Joshua trees and not wonder about their personalities.


Joshua Tree is one of our favorite places to camp, picnic, and play.  Our three kids can spend days just scrambling around on rocks.  For anyone with a high-clearance 4wd and a sense of adventure, I recommend driving from Dillon Road in Indio up through Berdoo Canyon to the park.  We went just yesterday and Berdoo Canyon and adjoining Geology Tour Road were exploding with wildflowers! 


Somehow that explination does not make sense to me?? If the two trees were in different locations i could see it. How do you explain the two trees within 30ft of each other -- one freezing but the other not??


Add comment

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.