INTEREST

The Gambel oak plays an important part in the western ecosystem

By Jessie Berta-Thompso Redstone Review

LYONS – Across the dry mountain west, the Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii) dots hillsides, spills into canyons, and forms dense thickets along mesa tops. At the Rocky Mountain Botanic Gardens (RMBG) in Lyons, the four Gambel oaks planted last year are settling in nicely in their tamer environment. These still-small shrubs set bright new leaves this spring, and now they are filling in all the space of their chicken wire deer-protection cages.

Gardeners have been steadily replacing cages around the gardens to accommodate all the growth going on, and, in one case, to repair a flattened cage after something big (a bear?) got very interested in a white fir. To visit the RMBG Gambel oaks, walk clockwise on the main path to the southwest section, on the south side of the garden, and look for dense green growth and leaves with pale undersides (plus the sign that says Gambel oak). This area of the garden celebrates plants found in southern and western Colorado, where open pinyon-juniper woodlands and sagebrush shrublands grow over dry landscapes marked with colorful geology and even brighter wildflowers.

The Gambel oak is a key member of western ecosystems, found from Texas and northern Mexico west through Nevada and as far north as Wyoming and South Dakota. It grows as a gnarled shrub or a small tree, most often two to four meters tall, instead of the massive tree forms its oak cousins in wetter climes become.

While some drought-tolerant western oaks, like the live oaks, are evergreen, the Gambel oak is deciduous. Its deep roots and leaves that resist water loss help it live in dry conditions. Gambel oaks spread clonally, gradually expanding their thickets and maintaining underground connections throughout the clonal patch. They can also sprout from acorns. Many animal species enjoy their acorns as a critical, nutrient-rich food source. Wildlife also uses their dense thickets for cover, nesting, resting, protection and shade.

While many animals benefit from Gambel oaks, one particular species of butterfly absolutely depends upon it to complete its lifecycle. The Colorado hairstreak (Hypaurotis crysalus) is a stunning species found across the West in many of the places where Gambel oaks grow. It’s the state butterfly of Colorado. When folded up, this butterfly’s undersides are a warm gray punctuated with dark and white lines and a few blue, orange, and red spots. When open, it’s a shocking iridescent purple-blue patterned with black and more orange spots. Its wingspan is one and a quarter to one and a half inches, and the lower parts of the wings have a tiny tail extension sticking off them, shared with other hairstreak species. Adult Colorado hairstreaks gather in Gambel oaks resting and looking for mates. Females lay their eggs on the oak twigs, and these eggs remain there quietly through the winter. Caterpillars emerge in spring, surrounded by freshly unfurled Gambel oak leaves to eat. These butterflies complete one generation per year, tuned to the oaks’ spring leafing. The adult stage can be seen June through August.

The Gambel oak is also sometimes called the Rocky Mountain white oak or scrub oak (though there are lots of other small oak species called scrub oak in other regions). It is in the Beech family (Fagaceae), along with all the other oaks (the genus Quercus), beech, and chestnut trees. The Gambel oak is a member of the white oak group, which includes the eastern white oak (Quercus alba) and the bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa). The white oaks can be distinguished visually by the rounded lobes of their leaves, as opposed to the pointy lobes of red oaks, or the smaller, unlobed leaves of live oaks. The RMBG Gambel oaks provide a good opportunity to look closely at the leaves and compare them to other oaks seen around town (e.g. the six oaks in the Lyons Walking Arboretum).

The Gambel oak is named after William Gambel (1821/1823 to 1849), a naturalist from Philadelphia. His life included a

The Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii) can be found in dry mountain area of the west, like these in Black Canyon of the Gunnison. At the Rocky Mountain Botanic Gardens, the four Gambel oaks planted last year are settling in nicely.

Continue RMBG on Page 11

The Colorado hairstreak (Hypaurotis crysalus) depends on the Gambel oak to complete its lifecycle.

Summer in Lyons – feeling the Lyons vibe again

By Brianna Hoyt Redstone Review

LYONS – Together we have come a long way since the dark days of the pandemic. With a sense of relief for many of us, we celebrate the kick-off to summer with music, art, and the outdoors in Lyons. Feeling a more normal summer again has created a sense of optimism and enthusiasm from our local community and our visitors.

Summer in Lyons means music. The Sandstone Summer concert series has shows every Thursday night. The upcoming bands include Joe Kuckla and Irons in the Fire on July 15, Billy Shaddox on July 22 and Arthur Lee Land Band on July 29. To see the lineup in August, check out the Sandstone Summer Concert event page at www.lyonscolorado.com. These concerts are possible due to collaboration and funding from both the Town of Lyons and the Lyons Community Foundation.

Lyons is known for its bluegrass and for being the home of stunning music venues too. Planet Bluegrass’s much missed summer festivals are back for 2021 with RockyGrass kicking off July 23. There are also several businesses in town that offer live music throughout the week and on weekends. MainStage Brewing Company is celebrating its building’s 140th birthday starting July 20 with Arthur Lee Land and Friends. MainStage will be hosting bands throughout the week; check out Facebook and Instagram for details on dates, times, and musicians.

PizzaBar66 hosts open mic night every Thursday with signup at 6:30 and music at 7 p.m.; karaoke every Friday

at 9 p.m.; and Open Acoustic Jam every Monday night at 6 p.m. Follow PizzaBar66 on Facebook and Instagram for more details. While you are planning out your week of evening activities, keep in mind that our town has plenty to offer throughout the day. The river is now open for activities including tubing. If you do not have river tube equipment, you can now rent tubes and safety equipment at LaVern Johnson Park’s concession stand. The Lyons Redstone Museum is open seven days a week and our restaurants are back with both indoor and outdoor seating options. AfterHoyt a long pandemic, our unique, independent, family-owned shops are welcoming customers back. Living in Lyons, we do not have to travel far for great food, handcrafted gifts, public art, and outdoor activities. If you are interested in learning more about Lyons’ economy and activities, consider joining the Economic Vitality Commission. We currently have one open seat and welcome individuals who want to help support our small businesses and boost our local economy. The EVC meets every third Wednesday at 9 p.m. and the meetings are open to the public.

The river is now open for activity including tubing. You can rent tubes and safety equipment at LaVern Johnson Park’s concession stand.

Brianna Hoyt earned degrees in anthropology and history from the University of Denver and worked as a freelance writer for five years. She primarily worked with marketing firms to generate content for business websites and social media accounts. She has been Lyons’ Main Street Manager since 2020.

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