Typology

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Vegetation

Plant Materials

The following lists of plant materials for Rim Village were taken from the Landscape Architects' monthly narrative reports. The lists are general up to 1934 (although plant materials are mentioned throughout the monthly reports, only one actual plant "list" was found reflecting the first four years of the naturalization program). During the eight years CCC crews were working at Rim Village, more detailed records of materials and "man-hours" used at the rim were incorporated into the monthly reports, with the most detailed accounts recorded for the 1934-1936 work seasons, when the majority of new plantings were done. All nomenclature used in the following is from Applegate (1939), Hitchcock and Cronquist (1973), Franklin and Dyrness (1973), and Wheeler and Atzet, (1987). Where discrepancies occurred Hitchcock and Cronquist was used as the authority source. Plant names that were used historically are in parentheses.

1930 -- Classification of Plant Materials for the Season

TREES

SHRUBS

GROUNDCOVER

Sod was the predominate groundcover planted at Rim Village. Sod refers to practically all types of flora growing in the park and, as transplanted, was comprised of several native sedges. Many varieties of wildflowers and small shrubs were commonly taken along with the grass roots when digging sod for transplanting.

1934 -- Classification and Quantity of Plant Materials Moved During the Season (June 1 - October 1)

TREES

SHRUBS

PERENNIALS

GROUNDCOVER

1935 -- Classification and Quantity of Plants Moved During the Season

TREES

SHRUBS

1936 -- Classification and Quantities of Plants Moved During the Season

TREES

SHRUBS

1937 -- Classification and Quantity of Plants Moved During the Season

TREES

SHRUBS

PERENNIALS

1938 -- Classification and Quantity of Plants Moved During the Season

TREES

SHRUBS

ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION

With one exception, all plant materials selected and installed at Rim Village were indigenous and transplanted from areas in the park that were similar in elevation and microclimate to Rim Village. The use of native plant materials was a fundamental principle in the overall design goals for Rim Village. In the context of the Rustic design, plant materials were chosen for their form, structure, texture, size, and color to blend with the surrounding landscape and provide a natural and harmonious setting. For example, Mountain ash was used in abundance because it was one of the largest shrubs to grow at this elevation (providing immediate effect), and because it had bright red berries and brilliant fall color. Elderberry, which was uncommon at that elevation, was used because it had a light green cast to the leaves, contrasting with the "sober green" of the mountain hemlocks. A plant file (since lost) was created and careful records were kept by the landscape architects during the restoration, documenting plant materials that survived and those that did not. For example, huckleberry was used in large quantities early on, only to find later that it could not survive the winter. Spirea, on the other hand, was able to flourish under virtually any condition and was used in the design with more regularity after 1931. Large coniferous specimens were selected and prepared for transplanting as much as two years in advance. Individual trees were dug, root-pruned, and boxed in order to retain the integrity of the root mass when replanting took place. Over the primary period of landscape restoration at Rim Village -- 1930-1938 -- several thousand trees, shrubs, perennials, and ground covers were transplanted and established at the Rim.

In the effort to develop a "natural" looking landscape at Rim Village, the landscape architects stressed the need to incorporate as much of the existing material landscape as possible into the naturalization program. For example, "unsightly" dead and deteriorated tree snags were removed from the site only if they presented a threat to safety. Whenever possible, snags were retained throughout the site and incorporated into the design as special features called "white ghost trees." These snags often had interesting shapes and, in the eyes of the landscape architects, conveyed the story of "lost battles with the elements," and were an important part of the natural setting of Rim Village.

Although some of the plant materials are in poor condition today, overall planting concepts and the majority of plant materials are from the historic period and have integrity. Together, they are significant resources in the historic design.