Fall's Golden Ribbon of Life

As Fall approaches the Winter Solstice, depending on the precipitation and temperatures, a golden ribbon can emerge snaking down the valley demarcating the mostly dry surface of the life-giving San Pedro river. From above we see the golden leaves of the Fremont Cottonwood, named after John C. Frémont (See Desert Oracle Radio for tales of this individual who has so many a thing and place named after him). These trees draw from the subsurface flow of the river and reciprocate by providing shade and even water for those that don't have the ability to draw from below the surface. As mentioned in a previous post, even in the driest times, these trees create little watering holes where their brittle branches have broken off from their trunk. The water is not trapped rainwater, but liquid life drawn from below even when the trees appear to be slumbering. They also host native mistletoe that fruit during the winter and feed many bird species that overwinter here.

In the understory of these trees thrive many other tree species and shrubs. The Goodding's Willow sprouts under the protection of these giant Ents of our land and then further shade the river bottom by reaching out their branches, seeking out the sunlight not being blocked by the cottonwoods. This creates archways over the river for owls and hawks to perch on when looking for the day's meal. That shade is especially important in the few areas that still have “mostly” perennial water.

Unfortunately, these Ents feel much like the characters of fantasy. There aren't new Ents being born and the ones here are aging out. When I walk the river, I don't see new cottonwood trees only the elders that still have stories to tell. Cottonwoods require flooding at the right time and duration to sprout new trees and the river has changed so much that these events no longer occur in the way needed. Every year brings new dead or fallen trees, but no replacements. The cycle has already been broken. There are areas that I refer to as graveyards where all of the cottonwoods have fallen or are dead perches for vultures and being overgrown with tamarisk.

It will take some time before the results of this change will be visible from above as we watch the winds turn the ribbon to winter gray. I am thankful that I am able to experience the way it is now and look forward to a few months from now when the ribbon turns from gray to emerald green again. I am thankful for the life that continues to thrive in the protection of these giants even as it slowly erodes.