Of
the many fossil plants in Oregon, the best known are from the Miocene epoch, between
25 to five million years ago. During this time, Metasequoia
was THE characteristic tree, making up most of the flora
in prehistoric Central Oregon.
The
distinctive feature of Metasequoia is its "oppositeness"
- branches, needles and cone scales are opposite each other in two symmetrical
rows. Metasequoia became extinct in Oregon some five million years ago,
but was brought back to the U.S. in the 1940s after it was discovered in China.
It is often marketed through nurseries as the "Dawn redwood".
The
designation of Metasequoia as Oregon's State Fossil was approved
by the Legislature in the spring of 2005 as House Joint Resolution #3. State Representative,
Alan Brown of Newport, introduced the resolution and his staff was immensely helpful
in tracking the measure through the House, the Senate and finally the Governor's
office.
Official State literature that lists official state designations
now includes Metasequoia as " Oregon's State Fossil".
The designation is now part of Oregon Blue Book and will be added to materials
when they are updated (e.g. official State highway map).
Metasequoia provides an excellent symbol for
the Oregon Paleo Lands Institute and it's many fossil-related projects in Central
Oregon. To that end, the Oregon Paleo Lands Institute Board of Directors endorsed
Metasequoia as Oregon's State Fossil.
You may find
your very own Metasequoia at the OPLI-managed dig site behind Fossil
High School in Fossil, Oregon. A highly trained interpreter helps you find fossil-bearing
rock, provides you tools for digging and helps identify your finds.
  
|
