Name that tree species.

November 24, 2008 9:32 AM

What are those stalwart little trees called that somehow grow atop the otherwise barren mesas in northern New Mexico? I just returned from my first visit to that region, driving north from Albuquerque to Farmington. What species of plants/bushes/foliage are growing up there? I'm nobody's dendrologist, nor a botanist, for that matter, so I thought I'd ask.
posted by jackypaper to science & nature (6 comments total)

Plants of the Mojave high desert, courtesy of wikipedia.

Are you thinking of some sort of pine or fir tree? Or is it deciduous?
posted by billtron at 9:57 AM on November 24, 2008

Most shrubby trees found in that part of New Mexico are Utah Juniper, or one of several pinion varieties.

Smaller shrubs and bushes are likely sagebrush or rabbitbrush (chamisa).
posted by M.C. Lo-Carb! at 10:01 AM on November 24, 2008

Bristlecone pine?
posted by electroboy at 10:28 AM on November 24, 2008

Most likely juniper, possibly pinon pine.
posted by hellboundforcheddar at 10:44 AM on November 24, 2008

Probably Piñon.
posted by Thorzdad at 11:41 AM on November 24, 2008

Now is the season where people go picking pinon (pine nuts). They roast them in the oven (very slowly) or in a popcorn popper and salt them. VERY yummy. The New Mexico varieties seem to be more flavorful than those that come from places like China.
posted by answergrape at 12:20 PM on November 24, 2008