As Winter sets in, Hoyt Arboretum takes on a more somber cast. The bare branches of deciduous trees jut harshly into grey skies, unadorned by soft leafiness. Clouds and mist often obscure the views, making even nearby trees nothing but ghostly outlines. Precipitation falls, trails get muddy, and the chill can nip at your nose.
But properly prepared, with the right layers of insulation and water-proofing, the Winter scene at Hoyt Arboretum still holds much wonder to discover and beauty to behold by the intrepid adventurer.
Lichens
Lichens cover almost everything in the Pacific Northwest. What appears to be moss on a tree is often actually lichen, a symbiotic organism involving fungus hosting photosynthetic algae and/or cyanobacteria. Lichens can add splashes of color to a dull and dreary day. Crustose lichens grow on rocks and tree trunks, and come in many colors. Look for frilly neon-green fruticose lichens on branches. Big, green, leafy Lobaria oregana goes by the names of lettuce lichen and Oregon lungwort. It is a foliose lichen that grows high in trees, but can often be found on the forest floor, especially after a windstorm.
Lichens come in many colors and can be useful indicators of forest health.