Trees and Shrubs

Uplands (hilly or mountainous areas) make a large majority of the land at Curecanti. These areas include rock outcroppings, shrublands, grasslands, woodlands, and forests. Upland ecosystems have predominantly small trees, shrubs, and perennial grasses.

 

Cottonwood trees change colors during fall along the Gunnison River.

NPS Photo

Deciduous Trees

Deciduous trees shed their leaves in the fall and grow new leaves in the spring. Riparian areas--along the Gunnison River, tributaries, and the canyon bottom in Morrow Point and Crystal Reservoirs—consist of box elder and cottonwoods mixed with shrubs. Quaking aspen are common at the higher elevations along CO-92. Most of the large stands are outside the park boundary.

Foliage on deciduous plants becomes colorful during the autumn months.

Deciduous tree species present in the park:

• Narrow-leaved cottonwood (Populus angustifolia)
• Rio Grande cottonwood (Populus deltoides ssp. wislizenii)
• Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides)
• Rocky Mountain Maple (Acer glabrum)
• Coyote willow (Salix exigua)
• Box elder (Negundo aceroides ssp. interius)
• Singleleaf ash (Fraxinus anomala)

 

Ponderosa pine grow along the shoreline of Crystal Reservoir, while Douglas-fir are predominantly on the north-facing slopes of Black Canyon.

NPS/Troy Hunt

Coniferous Trees (Conifers)

Coniferous trees produce cones. They are enduring plants, exist in various climates, and can live for hundreds or thousands of years.

Douglas-fir and Colorado blue spruce trees grow on the north-facing slopes of Black Canyon. They are particularly visible from overlooks above Morrow Point and Crystal Reservoir. A limited number of Ponderosa pine grow along the river corridor. Dedicuous trees are often mixed with conifers in riparian areas.

Coniferous tree species present in the park:

• Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa ssp. scopulorum)
• Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens)
• Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
• Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma)
• Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopuloram)
• Two-needle pinyon or pinyon pine (Pinus edulis)

 

Crystal Trail runs through a section of Gambel oak shrubland.

NPS Photo

Shrubs

Shrubland vegetation types are the most common across Curecanti. Shrublands here are made of big sagebrush subspecies (Artemisia tridentata), Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii), and serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.).

Sagebrush is widespread and predominantly visible along the shores of Blue Mesa Reservoir. It is a critical ecosystem for both plants and animals.

Gambel oak, a deciduous tree or large shrub, is common in the uplands. Tuber-like roots called lignotubers cause the deciduous Gambel oak to form thickets. These areas are usually dense and brushy, providing both cover and food for wildlife.

Various species of sagebrush, rabbitbrush, snakeweed, serviceberry, fendlerbush, and fruiting shrubs are present in the park and often found with other tree species. Other common shrub species include Fremont’s mahonia (Mahonia fremontii) and mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus).