An Afternoon Downpour

What a month! Four free softwater car washes...this afternoon, in under one hour, 1.2 iches of rain fell. I'll bet many Borregans are driving through the area partaking in a popular pastime...checking out the town after a storm. It is safe to turn off the irrigation systems...at least for a couple of days! Thanks again to my rapid responder neighbor who owns an official weather station.

Part One, Cercidium or Palo Verde Trees

Cercidium...The Palo Verde Trees
Growing outside the walls in our desert garden are three different types of Palo Verde trees. Why "outside the walls ", one may ask. The reply...because these trees, though gorgeous, are thorn laden and shed heaps of leaves, flowers and litter. In other words, they are what I would call "messy". I certainly would make sure they were NEVER planted near a swimming pool! However, their structure, trunk color, attention grabbing floral display, shade producing quality and low water requirements make them welcome in any desert garden. Birds absolutely love these trees and, that fact alone, makes them important for any native garden. Alas, though, they all require maintenance.

A Filifera Idea 4

I feel I must express my feelings regarding this iconic tree. Some Borregans, in preparation to building on a new lot or as an addition to an existing garden, have planted these trees, and, for one reason or another, have ceased taking care of them. There is nothing that causes me pain as much as seeing a magnificent tree die of neglect.

Scattered here and there throughout Borrego are forlorn examples of this neglect...wispy tiny shoots of green atop a large brown trunk...lone sentinel stumps without the crown of green...How it hurts to see them.

A note posted on the community bulletin boards might reveal there is someone out there who will nurture and care for it plus feel lucky to obtain a mature specimen. There a many heavy equipment operators in Borrego Springs that have experience in moving and replanting trees. Their numbers are listed in the Blue Book!

Washingtonia filifera 3

Washingtonia filifera has a thick and sturdy trunk, heavy leaves, graceful long clusters of fruit on long stalks, is fibrous and, in nature, is surrounded by a thick "skirt". The slimmer and taller growing Washingtonia robusta's leaves and fronds are more open and fruiting branches are often blown off the tree , but both have shiny dark green leaves that seem to create an aura of their own when in bright sunlight.

Interestingly, filifera seem to pop up wherever there is water in the garden and no wonder! I have seen these trees filled with California Mountain bluebirds feasting on the fruit and have found coyote scat filled with the seeds.

The trees do best with moderate water. We feed ours once a year, in summer and trim them after the fruiting season ends. We do not let ours develop skirts, but trim the leaves off as they die. As they grow taller, a professional trimming service will probably need to be hired to do the work. After one twelve foot mishap, no more ladders for us! New seedlings are easy to dig up for transplant.

There are many native stands of filifera in Anza Borrego Desert State Park...one of the most popular trails is located above Palm Canyon Campground. That cluster of trees has experienced both fires and floods, yet renews itself as it has always done through though centuries. You have to admire Washingtonia filifera...one very tough species!

Monsoon Rain

Heavy rain fell for about an hour yesterday, resulting in .31 " precipitation...and about time! The extreme heat had played havoc with even desert natives. Now, the fine film of ash on the solar panels is gone and all the plants are clean and have received a healing gulp of water. We are thankful!

Washingtonia filifera 2...continued

These stately desert trees provide food for present desert animals and they provided that and much more for the early inhabitants of the region. The fruit is borne on clusters of stalks which appear around this time of year. The dark tiny round pea-like "dates" become heavy as they mature and weigh down the stalks as they ripen. During a good year, one mature tree may provide up to two hundred pounds of fruit. Each comparatively large seed is covered by a fleshy sweet tasting covering. I have eaten some of these fruits which taste like the larger date from the date palm. Of course, the Cahuilla delighted in this sweet fruit, which they ate whole or in a tea-like concoction. They also dried, stored and ground the fruit to make a flour, which they used in sweet cakes. Palm fronds were used as thatch, the fronds made into cooking utensils, the fiber used in baskets, sandals and many other items. During drought, even the pith was used as food.

In nature, these trees occur in clusters, new seedlings constantly arising from seed until a "palm forest" is produced. There is a dense growth of palms adjacent to the Dos Palmas Reserve, near the Salton Sea...what fun to hike through it!

In our garden, what we first thought were all filiferas were locally purchased in one gallon pots. Having no idea of nature's cluster principal, we closely grouped our little trees just because it was easier to irrigate in groups. We copied nature's plan by mistake! The trees were so small, rabbits nibbled at them and we had to put chicken wire screens around all of them. They have all matured and we love the natural appearance they create in the garden. But BEWARE! Some turned out to be Washingtonia robusta, some were filifera and others a hybrid between the two. A member of the Native Palm Society told me it was difficult to identify a filifera until they become more mature and you can see the more fibrous nature of the palm.

A Desert Native Tree...Washingtonia filifera

The next few series of posts will explore some varieties of native desert trees that you may like to include in your garden: ( Desert Fan Palm, one of four posts. )

The ancient ones said coyote planted the first trees. The oriole views this palm as his nesting place, desert animals view it as a food source, the Cahuilla viewed it reverently and called it maul...this desert tree we call Washingtonia filifera or native desert fan palm. This tree, whose fossilized remnants have been found as far north as Wyoming and dated back to 50 million years is the only native desert palm in California and is still growing robustly ( no pun intended ) in our own Borrego Springs desert ! There have been some differing opinions regarding the dating of these trees. If you think botanical research cannot be fun, I refer you to an article written by James Cornett: The Desert Fan Palm, Not a Relic and another article by Spencer, Winton: The Desert Fan Palm--Evidence Supports Relic Status. ( look them up online ) As any Palm Society member will agree, whether ancient or an "invading species ", they create an astonishingly great amount of interest!

As a recent curbside addition to Palm Canyon Drive, these trees were planted as an addition to other native plants along Borrego's main roadway. As expected, the trees drew criticism as well as admiration from residents. Some said they were going to use too much of our precious water supply. I'll have to admit, they do use water but these are trees you just HAVE to admire!

Historically, they have no peer as far as desert trees go. With heights up to sixty feet, they are, to the desert, what the giant sequoias are to northern California. Their fronds are up to six feet in width, with a fan of leaflets up to six feet. They grow in groups where ample water is available. They grow in bajadas, along streams, at river mouths...even in the badlands if a seep or groundwater is available. They quickly and thickly cluster together to form the idyllic desert oases we have all read about. They recover quickly from wildfires and floods and live to a great old age of two hundred fifty or more!

Morning Paper

For the past two days we had no home delivered newspaper...and Lola missed doing her regular morning job. Today, three papers arrived tandem...a sure sign that the road is open and the fires somewhat under control. Today's Cal Fire Update will be the last posted unless conditions change. If you want further fire information, please go to the Cal Fire site online.

Meanwhile...I have THREE new crossword puzzles to do. Yipee!

Cal Fire Update

Vallecito Lightning Complex

Vallecito Lightning Complex Incident Information:
Last Updated: August 17, 2012 7:00 am
Date/Time Started: August 12, 2012 8:00 pm
Administrative Unit: CAL FIRE San Diego Unit
County: San Diego County
Location: eastern San Diego County
Acres Burned: 6 fires totaling 22,846 acres
Containment 6 fires totaling 22,846 acres - 85% contained
Evacuations: The community of Ranchita is currently under evacuation orders. Although the threat has lessened, structure defense crews remain in the area. An evacuation center is open at Warner Springs High School.
Injuries: 4
Cause: Lightning
Cooperating Agencies: CAL FIRE, Cal EMA, USFS, BLM, CDCR, CCC, San Diego County Sheriff's Office, CA State Parks, CAL TRANS, San Diego Animal Control, San Diego Humane Society, American Red Cross, San Diego County Public Works, CHP, San Diego County Fire/Rescue Operational Area Fire Depts.
Total Fire Personnel: 1,552 (1,108 CAL FIRE)
Engines: 85 (50 CAL FIRE)
Fire crews: 48 (34 CAL FIRE)
Helicopters: 14 helicopters
Dozers: 13 bulldozers (8 CAL FIRE)
Water tenders: 29 water tenders
Conditions: The Wilson and Stewart fires are close to merging.
Highway 78 is now opened. S22 is still under a hard closure between Scissors Crossing and Highway 79.

Vallecito Fire: 519 acres 100% contained, located South-East of Julian

Wilson Fire: 11,691 acres 75% contained, located near Scissors crossing North-East of Julian

Stewart Fire: 10,630 acres 90% contained, located near Scissors crossing North-East of Julian

Cooper Fire: 3 acres 100% contained, located near Scissors crossing North-East of Julian

Wynola Fire: 3 acres 100% contained, Hwy 79 at Wynola

Shoots Fire: less than 1 acre 100% contained, eastern San Diego Co.

Cal Fire Update

Last Updated: August 16, 2012 6:30 am
Date/Time Started: August 12, 2012 8:00 pm
Administrative Unit: CAL FIRE San Diego Unit
County: San Diego County
Location: eastern San Diego County
Acres Burned: 6 fires totaling 15,525 acres
Containment 6 fires totaling 15,525 acres - 60% contained
Threatened: 400 structures
Evacuations: The community of Ranchita is currently under evacuation orders. An evacuation center is open at Warner Springs High School.
Injuries: 2
Cause: Lightning
Cooperating Agencies: CAL FIRE, Cal EMA, USFS, BLM, CDCR, CCC, San Diego County Sheriff's Office, CA State Parks, CAL TRANS, San Diego Animal Control, San Diego Humane Society, American Red Cross, San Diego County Public Works, CHP, San Diego County Fire/Rescue Operational Area Fire Depts.
Total Fire Personnel: 1,454 (984 CAL FIRE)
Engines: 77 (56 CAL FIRE)
Fire crews: 48 (36 CAL FIRE)
Helicopters: 5 helicopters
Dozers: 8 bulldozers (6 CAL FIRE)
Water tenders: 28 water tenders
Conditions: The Wilson and Stewart fires are close to merging.
Road closures are in place for San Felipe and Montezuma Road, County Highway S22 and Palm Canyon Drive.

Vallecito Fire: 519 acres 100% contained, located South-East of Julian

Wilson Fire: 8,000 acres 65% contained, located near Scissors crossing North-East of Julian

Stewart Fire: 7,000 acres 50% contained, located near Scissors crossing North-East of Julian

Cooper Fire: 3 acres 100% contained, located near Scissors crossing North-East of Julian

Wynola Fire: 3 acres 100% contained, Hwy 79 at Wynola

Shoots Fire: less than 1 acre 100% contained, eastern San Diego Co.







|

Cal Fire Update

August 15, 2012 7:30 pm
Date/Time Started: August 12, 2012 8:00 pm
Administrative Unit: CAL FIRE San Diego Unit
County: San Diego County
Location: eastern San Diego County
Acres Burned: 5 fires totaling 15,525 acres
Containment 5 fires totaling 15,525 acres - 35% contained
Threatened: 400 structures
Evacuations: A mandatory evacuation is in effect for the communities of San Felipe and Ranchita. An evacuation center is open at Warner Springs High School.
Injuries: 2
Cause: Lightning
Cooperating Agencies: CAL FIRE, Cal EMA, USFS, BLM, CDCR, CCC, San Diego County Sheriff's Office, CA State Parks, CAL TRANS, San Diego Animal Control, San Diego Humane Society, American Red Cross, San Diego County Public Works, CHP, San Diego County Fire/Rescue Operational Area Fire Depts.
Total Fire Personnel: 1,454 (984 CAL FIRE)
Engines: 77 (56 CAL FIRE)
Fire crews: 48 (36 CAL FIRE)
Helicopters: 5 helicopters
Dozers: 8 bulldozers (6 CAL FIRE)
Water tenders: 28 water tenders
Conditions: The Wilson and Stewart fires are close to merging.
Road closures are in place for San Felipe and Montezuma Road, County Highway S22 and Palm Canyon Drive.

Vallecito Fire: 519 acres 100% contained, located South-East of Julian

Wilson Fire: 8,000 acres 50% contained, located near Scissors crossing North-East of Julian

Stewart Fire: 7,000 acres 40% contained, located near Scissors crossing North-East of Julian

Cooper Fire: 3 acres 100% contained, located near Scissors crossing North-East of Julian

Wynola Fire: 3 acres 100% contained, Hwy 79 at Wynola






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| Conditions

Monsoon Caused Lightning Strikes

Four separate lightning instigated fires are burning in the vicinity of Borrego Springs. Collectively called the Vallecito Lightning Complex and as of last night, 0 % contained, the one closest to us lit up the night sky. Separately called the Wilson, Stewart, Cooper and Vallecito fires the total acreage involved as of 7:30 P. M. last night was 1,002 acres. I'll keep you posted.

8/14:4:30 PM
4 fires totaling 2,352 acres - 5% contained
Evacuations: A mandatory evacuation is in effect for the San Felipe area off Highway 78 and the community of Ranchita. An evacuation center is being established at Warner Springs High School. Expect multiple road/highway closures between Borrego Springs, Julian and Ranchita.

8 AM, 8/15
Road closures: Hwy 78 between Scissors Crossing and Borrego Springs; S3 between Scissors Crossing and Borrego Springs; S22 between S2 and Borrego Springs
Vallecito Fire: 519 acres 100% contained, located South-East of Julian

Wilson Fire: 5,000 acres 5% contained, located near Scissors crossing North-East of Julian

Stewart Fire: 3,800 acres 0% contained, located near Scissors crossing North-East of Julian

Cooper Fire: 3 acres 100% contained, located near Scissors crossing North-East of Julian

Wynola Fire: 3 acres 100% contained, Hwy 79 at Wynola

Cool Pool

When we looked out the window this morning and saw the hazy view of the mountains our first thought was to check the humidity, since intense heat warnings had been issued for all the near-by desert regions. Yes, the humidity had certainly arrived. We knew that our swamp coolers would not give any relief... it was time to turn on the air conditioner. A "what if we had an outage " discussion began.

If you are a resident of Borrego, you are fairly familiar with such events, but, hopefully not in extremely hot weather. Though we have a roof full of solar panels, all the power goes directly into the grid and would not help us run the air conditioning unit should an outage occur. The question... how to stay cool... IF? ( and, remember, we have Lola to think of, too! )

AHA!!! We had done some plan B work in advance. We had installed two sprinklers on either side of the swimming pool! They work off the pool pump. When the water gets too hot ( as it certainly will during summer if you have a pool cover to minimize evaporation. We do and, in summer, sometimes the top few inches of water feels like you have jumped into a hot spring. ) We found the pool temperature at 91 degrees, this morning so turned on the sprinklers. They sprinkle into the air and are cooled before they re-enter the pool. This serves to reduce the temperature of the pool water and gives us a place to cool off...just in case!

Just Another Desert "Weed"

...And on the other hand...cheese weed, cheese bush or Hymenoclea salosa was abundant on our lot when we bought it. So far, I can see nothing to recommend it as an addition to your desert garden other than it can certainly be considered a native to the area. No other plant caused us so much effort everywhere in the garden and, in fact, still requires a modicum of our energies.

Hymenoclea is a large plant which grows to be about the size of a large tumbleweed. Atop the berm and on either side of the roadside were many of these dead-looking plants which needed to be removed. We had rented a bin for construction refuse which was filled several times with dead Hymenoclea...not as easy as it sounds! Sometimes, the Jeep had to be employed for removal of the old dead roots and scratchy twigs. Our garden plan was to keep the roadside parts of our lot fairly clear to allow an open view into our newly planted "desert garden". After our "no yard work" life at the beach, clearing all those plants seemed like real work! Let me pass on a few tips for that type garden activity: Heavy rubber rain boots offer the best leg protection for any heavy activity of this type. ( they also offer cactus burr and Palo verde twig protection. ) A large bin is also a boon when first preparing a lot. It will save you many trips to the dump!

We have kept a few cheese bush plants in the garden just because we want to maintain the natural native plant community members on site. Live Hymenoclea is a fairly large woody plant with thin bright green leaves and parchment papery-like pale yellow flower clusters. Many people can detect a cheese-like odor emitting from the plant...hence, the name. I imagine the seeds are consumed by various desert wildlife. We have found cheese bush in our garden benefit by a radical annual pruning.

A Desert Weed...Ambrosia dumosa

Ambrosia dumosa is also called bur sage, burro weed, burro bush and probably by a few other names. A smaller, shrubby plant, which looks like a dead plant during dry periods, it takes on a very nice pale bluish-green appearance during periods of adequate rainfall. Not knowing a thing about desert plants when we first moved to Borrego, we thought them to be dead brush that should be cleared away...or, at least culled. The plants were numerous on the lot, and, fortunately, we decided to keep many of them for a very peculiar reason: Lizards seemed to favor them when seeking cover and our black lab, Reba, was a seasoned lizard hunter! Early on, she devised a method of flushing game by tapping her paw on the top of the low plants. Lizards would seek safety by scurrying to another plant with Reba close behind. Reba never caught the fleet reptiles, but burro bush provided her with hours of fun!

Burro bush has pesky bur-like fruit, which has a tendency to stick onto your socks or lodge themselves into grooves of shoe soles...plus getting stuck onto pet fur, but is, otherwise, a benign desert "weed" that does no harm yet adds to the authenticity of a native desert landscape. I am glad to have them in our garden.