Invasive plants, bee balm, and a bear scratching tree …
A walk around an old homestead in the gorge may reveal invasive plant species. This is spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe). (Photo: Jon)
Another invasive: Silene vulgaris, known as bladder campion or maiden’s tears. (Photo: Jon)
Spreading dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium) is widespread in North America, and some regard it as invasive. Appearing here on this old homesite, it certainly gives the impression of being invasive. It’s not otherwise common in the wilderness. Note the long red seed pods. This plant is poisonous! (Photo: Jon)
Now this is more like it: white bergamot (Monarda clinopodia), a.k.a. basil beebalm. The leaves are very aromatic. (Photo: Jon)
Black bears (Ursus americanus) will scratch and leave scent on trees as a message to other bears. This tree has been used for years by large bears. (Photo: Kevin)
They rip off the bark with their claws, often leaving tell-tale hairs. This wood looks gray and aged, so this scratching is from previous years. The hair indicates more recent scratching, because birds will gather bear hair on scratching trees for use in their nests. If there’s hair left there may have been recent activity that birds haven’t noticed yet. (Photo: Jon)
Here’s evidence of recent scratching: hair, fresh wood exposed, and fresh pine sap running down the tree. (Photo: Jon
