Any b-nut's in New Mexico?

Damn! I thought it might be a fir but I tried to feel the needles for a sign.. now the question is, is it a Doug fir or white 🫠 so frustrated! Thought it was and I thought I ruled fir out!! 😅 Guess that's plant ID for you though

Definitely Doug Fir. White Fir buds are not pointed and not red. The needles are also different in shape, color, and distribution pattern but that’s not nearly as reliable as the buds. 🤓
 
Yeah, thank you. I wasn't sure. Obviously. I'm thankful for veterans like @Colorado who are willing to help out those of us who are inexperienced.

I appreciate the kind words, but I am no veteran….just a humble student myself. But I do have a white fir and have had some Doug firs so happy to provide some first hand knowledge on these particular species 😊
 
Well then, let's just say more experienced. I have experience killing Doug firs, but not dug firs, yet. Having done nothing with them other than watering and up-potting, I'm leaning toward the idea that they just can't handle the heat here.
Going to be sticking to species native to my area/altitude/temperature.
 
Well then, let's just say more experienced. I have experience killing Doug firs, but not dug firs, yet. Having done nothing with them other than watering and up-potting, I'm leaning toward the idea that they just can't handle the heat here.
Going to be sticking to species native to my area/altitude/temperature.

Could be the heat, but I don’t know….I had one in my garden for a few years and it got full sun and 100F+ temperatures with no problem. Definitely had to keep it plenty watered in that heat.
 
Our temperatures are consistently in triple digits, as in a week or two at a time, with dips into the mid or upper 90s in between. I didn't even have them in bonsai soil, and I'm pretty certain it wasn't over or under watering, as I waited until the chop stick was barely damp before watering. They were in full direct sun for the first and last 3-4 hours of the day, and shaded during the hottest times. Do you think the altitude could be a factor? I'm only at 3,500' here.
But whatever the case, I'm focusing on other species until I gain more experience with them. Then, maybe, I'll "branch" out. I need to ramify my collection.
 
Could be the heat, but I don’t know….I had one in my garden for a few years and it got full sun and 100F+ temperatures with no problem. Definitely had to keep it plenty watered in that heat.
Well then, let's just say more experienced. I have experience killing Doug firs, but not dug firs, yet. Having done nothing with them other than watering and up-potting, I'm leaning toward the idea that they just can't handle the heat here.
Going to be sticking to species native to my area/altitude/temperature.
I know dug fir are very temperamental about water, super good with heat but they want plenty of water but also to dry a little.. the roots receed if too wet and shrivel up if too dry.. definitely a tricky material but Im feeling optimistic
 
I'm not 100% sure, but it's my understanding that piñon/juniper is a biome rather than a species. It consists of Ponderosa and piñon pines, as well as Alligator Juniper, one-seed juniper, and rocky mountain juniper, and probably some other species of pine and juniper.

@ShadyStump probably knows more about this topic than I do.
I'm mostly only an expert at dead trees, at least when it comes to ones in pots, but you're correct; piñon juniper woodland refers to a particular sort of biome or ecosystem characterized by the symbiotic relationship between piñon pines and the various juniper species that cover the exact same range. In my region it's two needle piñon (pinus edulus) and then mostly one seed juniper, withe Rocky Mountain juniper in some spots. Get across the Continental Divide and it becomes Utah juniper. I'm personally unfamiliar with alligator juniper because it doesn't grow here. The 5 needle piñon takes over for the 2 needle as you move west to the Sierras.

The pine pictured is likely a ponderosa. They can sometimes have those shorter needles, and judging by the background of the pic sure as heck ain't piñon, not anywhere you'll find pine duff scartered like that with everything growing tall enough to be out of the picture. Piñons are short, 30 ft at the extreme, but usually half that, and close to the ground. It's rare to find one you can walk under.

To tell the difference between fir, spruce, and pine:
Pines always grow their needles in little bundles called fasicals (sp?) of 2 to 5 needles each.
Fir grow individual needles that pop out of tiny little balls on the branch.
Spruce are also individual needles, but they sit atop a little flat tongue that connects them to the branch.
There are a couple species that are commonly called spruce or fir that are actually the other. An example would be the blue spruce, which is actually a fir species, if I'm remembering correctly. I've been known to get stuff backwards.

Edit: for most things on the topic, you're much better listening to @Colorado than me, especially collecting. My aftercare routine tends to look allot like, "oh crap, I have a tree, don't I?"
 
I'm mostly only an expert at dead trees, at least when it comes to ones in pots
This... This is too relatable 🤣 I'm learning to slow down I know I want to do way too much way too fast, honestly just need to get a bundle of BC from the arbor day foundation. That'll have me too busy to over work any tree 😅
 
Which leads us nicely back to your unanswered question about the lil pine,

Definitely let it grow for AT LEAST a year before worrying about cutting back to lower branches or removing anything at all really
 
Which leads us nicely back to your unanswered question about the lil pine,

Definitely let it grow for AT LEAST a year before worrying about cutting back to lower branches or removing anything at all really
I know... o.q I mainly asked to keep myself from killing it.. I knew the answer in my heart of hearts
 
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