Species of the Month

Osoberry

Osoberry (Oemleria cerasiformis) is a deciduous shrub that is prolific in the Arboretum. It's easy to spot along the Creek and Riverbank trails as it's one of the first deciduous plants to leaf out each winter. You can see leaves budding on branches now, as pictured below. These common shrubs are seldom celebrated, but they are an important and fascinating native plant. Hone your knowledge and keep an eye out in the Arboretum over the next few months:

• Osoberry is one of the earliest plants in the area to flower, blooms typically appear in the Arboretum in February and continue into March.
• The plant buds early to ensure access to sunlight that would be shadowed by the leaves of tall trees in warmer months.
• It is dioecious with distinct male and female plants. Only female plants produce fruit. Some plants, however, are monoecious and produce both male and female flowers.
• Keen observers can identify the sex of a plant by its flowers, female flowers have prominent pistils with smaller, non-functional stamens.
• Osoberry's native range spans the Pacific coast from southern California to British Columbia.
• Fossil records indicate that the species has been present in a similar range since the Eocene epoch, a geologic period 56-34 million years ago.
• The leaves taste remarkably like cucumber, though they can be too bitter for pleasant consumption.
• Osoberry also fruits early in the season. Fruits are sweet, though they can be somewhat bitter and astringent, especially when eaten raw.
• Birds don't seem to mind any bitter flavor, they eat Osoberry fruits and distribute their seeds to new locations.
• Osoberry is an important plant for indigenous peoples throughout the Pacific coast. Fruit, twigs, and bark are used for teas, medicine, and as a food source.
• The bark has been used as a treatment for tuberculosis and as a mild laxative. Chewing the twigs has a mild anesthetic effect.

Remember your Osoberry facts and get ready to learn more, you'll be seeing these flowers again on this Spring's Wildflower Festival poster!



Photos: Above by Michael Wolf, below by August Jackson & Kevin House

Community Native Plant Discussion with Coast to Cascades Bird Alliance

Sunday, February 15th 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

United Lutheran Church, 2230 Washington Street in Eugene

If you have an interest in native plants, this quarterly discussion is for you! All knowledge levels are welcome! Whether you are an ecologist, landscaper, gardening enthusiast, native plant curious, or anything in between, you are welcome! Event will include a native plant giveaway.

Patrick, our Habitat & Trails Manager, will be there as a local expert to help answer your questions.

Upcoming Nature Tours

All guided tours start at the Mount Pisgah Arboretum Education Building. Pre-registration is required. Members and kids under 4 are FREE, Non-Members $5 per person.

February Bird Tour

Sunday, February 8th 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Join Mieko Aoki and Julia Siporin for another monthly bird outing intended for people with all levels of birding experience. We’ll use vocalizations, habitat, and behavior clues for identification of our year-round and winter residents. Come discover the Arboretum’s avian diversity!

A Slimy Valentine Family Tour

Saturday, February 14th 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

My slimy Valentine, or something like that?! Together we will look for amphibian eggs, poke oozy fungi, or search for slugs! Geared for youth and their chaperones.

Winter Twig Tour

Saturday, February 21st 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

It's all too easy to spend the winter in anticipation of the spring, but you don’t have to wait until the leaves are out to appreciate the deciduous plants of Mount Pisgah. Join Sarah Erskine for a tour of the winter twigs of the Arboretum and learn how to identify plants before their leaves emerge.

Upcoming Work Parties

Become a steward of the Arboretum by helping us improve and maintain our facilities and habitat during our Work Parties! 

During Work Parties, volunteers help us keep our trails, facilities, and park clean, accessible, and beautiful! No experience is required to volunteer on these days, and we will provide tools, gloves, and a parking pass. 

All work parties meet at the bottom of the parking lot near the shop (just past the bright orange trailer). 

Plateau Work Party

Saturday, February 7th 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Join us for annual maintenance on the Upper Plateau Trail which includes resurfacing, brushing out, tread work, and clearing ditches.

Water Garden Trail Resurfacing Work Party

Sunday, January 18th 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Help us improve our trails! We will be laying down fine gravel on your Water Garden trails.

Get Involved

Want to make a difference in other ways? We are always looking for nature guides, trail stewards, park ambassador volunteers, and many other roles. Let's talk about how you can get involved with the Arboretum.

Learn more about some of the opportunities here.

Recent Coyote Activity

Frequent coyote sightings around the Arboretum continue. Make sure you know what to do when you encounter a coyote or recreate in an area where coyotes are present:

• Please scare coyotes away with loud noise, clapping, etc!

• Supervise small children when outside

• Do not leave food or water bowls outside or feed wildlife

• Keep dogs leashed

Contact us if you encounter unusual behavior in the park. Thanks for helping us keep wildlife and park-goers safe.

Join our Evergreen Monthly Giving Circle! 

Sign up to become a foundational supporter of the Arboretum!

By giving what is comfortable for you every month you will keep the Arboretum strong.

Becoming an Evergreen donor provides steady support while also fitting easily into your budget. A gift of $15, $20 or $25 every month adds up to happy habitat, tended trails, and community programs that connect people to nature. 

In-Kind Wishlist

Straw Bales

We reuse straw bales year after year for our festival seating and many of our trusty bales have worn out. Contact us if you have spare straw bales and we can let you know where to drop them off. If you anticipate having extra straw bales in the future, please let us know.

Espresso Machine

Help our team stay energized with your gently used espresso machine... no, really.