Plant Species

Coyote Willow

http://www.cerrilloshills.org/nature/trees.html#fc

Native to the Rio Grande’s riparian ecosystem. Usually grows to be 6-12 feet tall. Has slender green leaves. Known as a pioneer species because it is one of the first species to grow after soil is disturbed. Depends on flooding. Coyote Willows are an indicator of a healthy riparian ecosystem.

Cottonwood

http://www.cerrilloshills.org/nature/trees.html#fc

Can grow to be 50-60 feet tall with a trunk having a 3 foot diameter. Cottonwoods are deciduous and are a pioneer species. A good source of shade, materials and is an indicator of past and present water areas. Depends on flooding to grow.

Russian Olive

http://www.cerrilloshills.org/nature/trees.html#fc

<!–[endif]–><!–[if !ppt]–><!–[endif]–>

The Russian Olive is a small thorny tree that grows to be about 12-45feet tall. It is originally from Eurasia, but was brought to the US in the late 1800s. Russian Olives grow well in low, moist, sandy areas and in thickets. Russian Olive competes with native plants and  as a result,
about a third of riparian breeding bird species are affected by habitat loss.

Salt Cedar

http://www.cerrilloshills.org/nature/trees.html#fc

This plant was imported into the western US in the early 1800s as an oranmental and a windbreak, but now it is a dominant tree along parts of the river. It can grow up to 30 feet tall and is decidious. One tree can produce 600,000 seeds per year! Saltcedar is also a pioneer species.

Information provided by:

http://www.cerrilloshills.org/nature/trees.html#fc

<!–[endif]–><!–[if !ppt]–><!–[endif]–>