I picked this up and some National Park book store. I have been fascinated by Joshua Trees since moving to Arizona. Well even before but more now. There were Joshua Trees on the trip through Barstow. They have such and unusual appearance. Now wonder the early Mormon pioneers gave them the name Joshua Tree. They reminded the pioneers of Joshua with his hands being held up so the Israelites would win the battle.
I hadn't realized there were two different types of Joshua Trees, Eastern and Western. Close to us in Kingman there are the Eastern variety. While Joshua Tree National Park and California have the Western variety. Only in Tikaboo Valley in Nevada are both types present, and with some cross breeding.
The Joshua Tree makes the desert landscape interesting. There are two Joshua Tree forests close to Kingman. The closest is a half hour north on Stockton Hill Road. The other is between Kingman and Wickenburg on Highway 93. There are also Joshua Trees on Highway 95 traveling from Laughlin to Las Vegas.
The range of the Joshua tree extends beyond the Mojave Desert. It extends into the Great Basin in St. George and Nevada. It also has forestes in the Sonoran Desert. They range from Arizona, Southwest Utah, Nevada, California and into Mexico.
The Joshua Tree has a vital place in the eco system of the desert. Some places they are they only tall tree which provides habitat for birds. The desert night lizard lives under fallen trees.
The Joshua Tree is a yucca and as such its fibers are useful. Native Americans have used the tree in the manufacture of rope and baskets. Some Native American groups also ate the buds and fruit. In modern times the roots have been harvesting for use in dietary supplements.
With regards to Joshua Trees all is not rosy. Drought, higher temperatures and fire have left their mark. The number of Joshua tree specimens is declining.
