Friday, April 30, 2010

Trees at Fun Friday: The Torrey Pine

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Torrey Pine in Fog
It is Fun Friday again in our group, Blogging for Fun, hosted by Melissa. For 8 weeks, we will be featuring trees, thus the title, "Trees at Fun Friday". 
Torrey Pines Lining the Trail
Inside my favorite nature park to hike in San Diego, are the rarest pines in the United States, the Torrey Pines. This rare pine grows naturally in the wild only in two places: at Torrey Pines State Reserve in San Diego, California, 
Stunted Torrey Pines growing in poor sands on top of sandstone cliffs
and in a single grove at Santa Rosa Island of Channel Islands National Park, off the coast of Santa Barbara, CA. The Torrey Pines that grow along the exposed western portion of the reserve are growing in poor sand, these trees are exposed to very strong winds and the scorching sun. Probably, because of its exposure to harsh elements, some of the Torrey Pines show an aberrant growth referred to as gorilla's nest or witch's broom.
An aberrant growth ( gorilla's nest) on top of Torrey Pine
(found this tree at Razor Point, at the exposed western slope of the Reserve)
The cause of this unusually very bushy growth within the tree is unknown, possibly due to a genetic disturbance. The beauty of Torrey Pines lies in its character, in its survival amidst the nutrient clad sands, surviving drought ( after-all, San Diego is in a semi-arid environment), whipped by strong chilly ocean winds and cooked by the sun.  
Silhouette of a Torrey Pine at Sunset
The Torrey Pines State Reserve was established to preserve these rare pines. The Torrey Pines Golf Course, host of the 2008 US Open Golf Championship, which is located right next to Torrey Pines State Reserve is named after this rare pine trees.
Torrey Pines Golf Course
To learn more about the Torrey Pine tree, please click here

Have a good weekend everyone. 
♥♥
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25 comments:

  1. Uh..i really love the trees with the red sky behind. I think it is really beautiful.

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  2. Your Torrey Pine is simply too majestic for me to describe. :D

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  3. They are hearty trees to withstand the winds and sandy soil.

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  4. One of my favourite past time is taking photos of trees!

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  5. You've captured Torey Pine so beautifully. I've been there but never really see it that way. ;-)

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  6. Gorgeous trees, bechai! I love the ones with beautiful sky colors in the background..

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  7. Fascinating post! So glad Torrey Pines State Reserve was established to help protect these beautiful trees.

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  8. I love those shots!
    Especially the foggy one!

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  9. These pine trees are always seen in Chinese paintings. They grow on cliffs or sharp slopes that makes the scene such a wonderful and breathtaking one.

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  10. I love the one with the sunset behind it, absolutely lovely. It only grows in CA? That is awesome!

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  11. i like An aberrant growth ( gorilla's nest) on top of Torrey Pine most.. dramatic

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  12. Ooh.. I like the foggy tree! The scenery there are so inspiring!

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  13. always nature at its best in your photos!

    happy weekend!!!

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  14. I am sure I have never seen a Torrey Pine, but your photos are beautiful!

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  15. Photos 2 and 3 are spectacular. They are very beautiful tress I love their unusual shape and the why the have adapted to survive in their environment.

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  16. Great shots. I love hiking too.I signed up to follow your journey. Stop by my place and return the favor if you like what you see.
    http://www.boomerpie.com/

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  17. Beautiful sunset! We should have stayed a little longer, but it was fund though.

    I just got my laptop back, and I have so many posts and visits to make up.

    Although I have been exhausted in my photo trips. I will see you around.

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  18. I've heard of the golf course, but not the nature park. I'm glad there is a nature park. I like them much better. :)

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  19. Hi Miss Beth...

    This is an interesting post with nice pictures...

    I got curious by the aberrant growth in the Torrey pine. And after reading about this rare pine's resiliency to extreme conditions, I can't help but think of our resiliency too as Filipinos... :)

    My favorite pic is the one wih the sunset silhouette.

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  20. Hi Betchai, thanks for visiting my blog even though it had been silent for few months. Well, I hope I'll have more time for it now...I miss blogging and esp. visiting your blog.

    I love looking at trees, especially the old ones with their graceful branches. They remind me of the talking trees of the LOTR movie, hehehe... I bet they have a lot of stories to tell...

    BTW, the highway between Talisay and Bacolod are lined with beautiful big trees. They make the road trip such a delight even if we're on a rush to catch an appointment.

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  21. What a beautiful course. I love the trees!!!

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  22. The trees are magnificent, Betchai. Fantastic captures.

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  23. As usual... love your photos Sistah. The foggy one is my favorite.

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THANK YOU SO MUCH!!