Trees, Shrubs and Conifers: Ash leaves folding, 0 by Mountaindweller

Mountaindweller wrote:
Pseudo, you're right, it's a cedar! Deodor I was sure of, couldn't remember which one!
Mipii, thanks, I'm really starting to enjoy all the different plants.
Sequoia, I've notice two types of sage out here, I have one beautiful plant that recently bloomed a pretty purple that's growing by the gate (it was here when we got here) and a gorgeous dark bluish purple type grows out by Meadview on the Colorado river. But I haven't tried to landscape with them yet. I'm kinda playing with the idea of marking out a few square feet of the uncleared part of the property and watering it A Lot to see if I can bring up the native flowers that way. I know there are many gorgeous 'ephemerals' in the soil, just waiting for the right conditions. I've already noticed that the Joshua's only bloom after a very hard cold spell, and then they create new 'arms'. No cold, no bloom, no branching. At least, that's what I've seen so far.
As for the chollas, they are everywhere, and my poor dogs have learned how to pull them out with their mouths, but each day after our walk, when they get back from their jackrabbit chases, I have to pull the spines from their lips and paws. The rats use them to build nests, too, so I can always tell when there is a new pack rat around, I find the cholla balls lying around in different areas. It absolutely amazes me to watch the antelope squirrels go scrambling all over the chollas without getting hurt! And yesterday I saw a thrasher fly into a rather large specimen, and I caught a glimpse of a nest in there. Everything has a purpose, I guess!
It might be my imagination, but I think the ash trees are already looking 'happier'. I'll give it a few weeks and take some more pics. This is a hedgehog cactus in bloom