In Search of Warren the Elephant Tree
Warren was an Elephant Tree from the land of the brutal Sun
Growing in a crevasse, Survival to be done...
I probably should just leave the musical references alone. Example A above is the reason. That is a complete massacre of a Warren Zevon tune, but the Tree is named for Zevon and that is part of the story.
Warren the Elephant Tree
The name of the song is "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner" released in 1976. Zevon was an incredibly talented song writer and musician that wrote 'off the path' music with a cult following. You only have to listen to the first two lines of this link to see where my perversion of it came from...
Back to the Tree
Elephant Trees (Bursera Microphylia) are a rare low desert North American tree that is related to Frankincense through soapwood. It is very aromatic, you only have to brush up against the leaves to smell the fragrence.
It grows in seemingly impossible conditions, basically in crushed stone in protected rock canyons throughout it's range which consists of extreme south east California, extreme south west Arizona, Baja California (Nortre) and Rio Colorado, Mexico.
They can't stand much of a frost and live solo lives on stone which really limits their range. They have very thick lower stems which are capable of storing enough water to keep the trees alive even in severe drought conditions. The trunk structure was thought to resemble Elephant legs, and thus the name.
Inhospitable Environment
The Elephant Tree is either male or female. Perilously little is absolutely known about their sex lives (do they smoke after?) but that may be changing. My friend Erv read a scientific paper about them that he figured was mistaken in a couple of areas. Which caused the birth of Yuma Elephant Tree Project. Erv doesn't smoke so that question is moot.
Erv, Matthew and Warren
My friend Erv is possibly the brightest man I've ever met. He was after his first PHD in plant genetics when he was interupted by 'the small unpleasantness' in Vietnam. He spent his tour as a lieutenant (Special Forces Ranger) (Yes, a Green Beret) in the highlands as a 'Force Amplifier'. A genuine war hero in my eyes. When he got back he decided he wasn't as interested so never wrote the dissertation to get that PHD. He became a High School science teacher and wrestling coach.
Part of Warren's Canyon
But his curiosity just would not let him rest. He has the most intense desire to know that I've ever seen. He first retired about 15 years ago and has had some of the most interesting jobs (he can't not work) since. A docent at Casa Grande (a huge Native American ruin), director of the Botanical Garden here in Yuma, College teacher, Student Teacher mentor and more. He is an intense walker and hiker. For his 70th birthday he did a three day traverse of the Grand Canyon from South Rim to North.
Matthew
Matthew moved to Yuma because of a horrible tragedy in his family. His son needed help and Matthew was in a position to pick up and come. He moved into his son's place to help care for his grandchildren after their mother was killed in a car wreck that spared the rest of the family (except the dog who lost a leg). The youngest was 8 months old when he lost his mother.
Portrait of Warren
Another person of intense curiosity. He's a gear head which got my interest right away. A hiker and rock climber from his youth on, he fell in with the 'walking crew' and actually was the defacto leader. Very musically inclined (as is his son and grandchildren), principally a drummer. Self taught on guitar, piano and BAGPIPE (a gag gift from his son). He and I also share an interest in semi-obscure musical talents such as Warren Zevon.
Warren Up Close and Personal
Matthew named the Elephant Tree on Little Cross Mountain. Yes, there is only one, a male tree. It's at least 1 mile from the nearest relative. How did he get there? Why is he the only Elephant Tree to survive there? When Matthew named him Erv presumed that there had to be at least one more tree on the Mountain, so that would have it named Zevon. Several of us have been all over Little Cross and there just isn't another specimin. But when we go there it's now known as searching for Zevon.
And now you know the rest of the story.
All unsourced photos in this post are courtesy of the author. All photos that are sourced are properly licensed and used. All words in this post are mine, for better or worse.
This is the link to the Wikipedia Elephant Tree page, if you are interested.
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Cute little Erv all by its own. In posts like these, you should consider changing that life tag with something more clever like biology or science. Think about it. ;)
That's a really good idea. I don't do posts like this all that often, but whenever I spend time with Erv I probably should. There will be more from 'Yuma Elephant Tree Project' (and not all Elephant Trees. There are collateral interesting plants and geology).
Thanks for a great suggestion, and for stopping by.
And so we finally see Warren or rather Zevon! Sad to hear about your friend Matthew's tragedy, having to uproot himself like that, so totally selfless!
That seems to be the kind of guy he is. He was in a position to be able to go so he did.
Three years later things have sorted out. His son married his HS sweetheart and they now have a family of 7 :) Matthew actually caught two jobs when it was time. Head of maintenance at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff (where Pluto was discovered) and the one he took, Maintenance Supervisor for Tesla. His son transferred back to the Reno area so Matt is able to see his grandkids every other day or so.
Ah that's lovely to hear, a happy ending to all the sadness :)
This was really interesting. Thanks for sharing it. I don't have a big fancy comment. I just really enjoyed reading it and there was a lot of good information. That is crazy the small area that they grow in.
There are a few other plants that I know of in that sort of area. Organ Pipe Cactus for one.
By the time I'm done I'm sure everybody will be sick to tears of Elephant Trees:) We have several populations to check on and some places to look. It's a really good excuse for a rough country walk.
Thanks for stopping by!
Yeah, no problem. It does look like some pretty cool terrain to be exploring. Might be a nice workout for me if the temp isn't too hot!
I'll guarantee you'd love it today! It's 73F at noon. No snow!
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I have never seen or heard of these but so interesting to see and read abou them
Thanks man. And really good to see you.
I am glad to be back I did miss Steemit i must admit
FOR TSE: Glorious post. Truly top notch!! I came here (from my own account -- otherwise I tend to post unawares from that other one) to ask what was elephantine about Warren and his kin. It's certainly not the size. But I see why your friend is so taken with them. Warren's very existence is like assurance from the Universe that Life will find a way. Sometimes, hanging onto that promise ... helps.
Warren isn't a really good example of where the name comes from. He's fairly young and really hasn't developed his lower trunk to the 'Elephantine' stature. Trust me on this, there will be more Elephant tree posts. Erv's enthusiasm has rubbed off on me to be sure.
Thank you. I really appreciate the stop...
Bless his heart, he's sure put out a lot of growth for as inhospitable as that place is. And I don't blame him for avoiding the cold. I'm not much for freezing temperatures either.
He's really happy there. Smallish, but seems really healthy. Last year Erv improved the 'dam' around his feeties to maximize his chances...
There are lots of plants and places around here that exist mostly in South facing canyons. When you drive into Organ Pipe National Monument you hardly see any Organ Pipe Cacti until you get to the visitors center. You come in from the north (the only way, the park borders Mexico) and can't see up the south canyons. When you drive out you can see thousands of them living with their backs to the cold.
Yes, I would think you would have spotted an elephant in the desert by now if it was there, especially since it can't just pick up and move around. Always liked the WZ music when I was younger.
Little Cross mountain is just shot full of trails. They range from fairly easy to fairly difficult. The first time over this fall we just took a wrong fork and couldn't ever see Warren. Part of that was the light, we hit the top just after sun up, so the slanting light blinded us to the obvious.
Nice to know about the elephant tree 🙌🏻
Indeed, reading is learning.
Zevin sounds cool and unique name ❤️
Oh, there is more coming :) At least once a month for the next 6 there will be something about the Yuma Elephant Tree Project. My part is walking along and taking pictures.
And paying semi attention to the inevitable lectures.
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