De I. VNER VEW D Forest Trees of the Pacific Slope

FOREST TREES OF THE PACIFIC SLOPE.
137
6,200 feet, eastward to summit; Tuolumne Meadows, up to 9,000 feet; Lambert
Dome; White Mountain; Mount Conness; near Lookout Knob; ridge between Dingley
and Delaney creeks; near Lake Tenaya and Cathedral Lakes; Tioga Road from 6,800
feet (in Long Gulch, 3 miles east of Aspen Meadows) to Tuolumne County. Southern
Sierras southward to headwaters of Kings, Kaweah, Tule, and North Fork of Kern
rivers. Mariposa Couaty: North and northeast of Yosemite Valley, at 9,000 feet and up;
Cathedral Lakes and southward nearly to Little Yosemite; north rim of Yosemite Valley
(near top of Yosemite Falls) down to 7,000 feet, and thence northward to Tioga
Road which it follows eastward from Porcupine Flat (8,100 feet) to ridges west of Lake
Tenaya tributaries; Belknap Mountain (head of East and Middle Tule rivers) ; Freeman
Creek (tributary of Kern River) ; head of East Fork of Middle Fork of Tule River;
throughout divide between lower Kern River and Deer Creek and White River (affluents
of Tulare Lake) above 6,000 feet, reaching southern limits at about Fish Creek (tributary
South Fork Kern River), latitude 360 10', and head of foso Creek (tributary
Tulare Lake and in sec. 11 to 14, T. 26 S., R. 31 E., lat. 35° 40').
The range of Abies magnifies shaostensis is imperfectly known. At present
this tree is known to inhabit the range given for the species from Mount Shasta
northward, while it occurs with the species in Scott Mountains, on Mount Eddy,
and in Trinity and Stony Creek National forests. South of this it is found at
several points in Fresno, Tulare, and Kern counties. Locally noted in this
region by the writer at Alta Meadow (near southeastern border of Sequoia
National Park). Further careful observations of fruiting trees are expected
to yield a wider and more connected occurrence of this form.
OCCURRENCE.a
Tree of high elevations, often well up to timber line. Lower, protected, gentle mountain
slopes about meadows, to steep, exposed, windswept ones near high divides and
crests; also in cool, sheltered ravines, gulches, and high rolling mountain plateaus.
Prefers north and east exposures to drier and warmer south exposures; in such regions
confined mostly to available moist, cool sites. Usually, and of largest size, on moist,
porous, sandy or gravelly loam soils; but grows in very rocky, poor situations with
little soil; poverty of soil and moisture produces small or stunted trees.
In large pure and nearly pure stands below timber line and above white fir belt; often
In pure small stands at timber line. At upper limit, generally with black hemlock,
lodgepole pine, and western white pine. In northern California and southern Oregon,
with yellow pine, sugar pine, and Douglas fir at lower levels; in Sierras at lower limit,
commonly with white fir, which it replaces often abruptly at white fir's upper limit.
Toward upper limit, where it mingles with western white pine, lodgepole pine, and black
hemlock, the latter grows mainly in gulches and ravines, lodgepole pine on borders of
meadows, lakes, and moraines, and western white pine (generally scattered), while interspersed
among all are frequent groups and small areas of dense pure, or nearly pure,
stands of this fir.
CLIMATIC CONDITIONs.-Climate of region with comparatively short, intensive growing
season, and long cold period of rest. and precipitation. Average annual precipitation,
about 30 to 50 inches; considerable snow, which in some parts of Sierras is over 20 feet
deep and covers ground from November to June. In many parts of its range snowfall is
much less, or melts before becoming very deep. Winter temperature, rarely falls to
zero; summer temperature. not excessive (probably not over 800 F.) during day, with
cool and generally humid nights. Frost liable to occur at any time during growing season
at higher levels in range; usually, however, not until late in August.
TOLERANcE.-Only very moderately tolerant of shade at any period; much less tolerant
than white fir, Incense cedar, and Douglas fir; very similar to noble fir in light requirement.
Rarely to any extent in intermediate or subordinate positions; nearly always in
stands of equal age, which favor overhead light. Endures but little side shade, as shown
by long, clean trunks universal in close stands and common in rather open stands. Tolerance
appears to vary with soil, moisture, and climatic conditions ; more tolerant under
best conditions for growth.
REPRODUCTION.-Prolific seeder; good seed years occur about every two or three years,
while some seed is borne in many localities every year. Seed production usually greatest
in open stands, and by moderately old trees. Seed of fairly high germination, but of
only transient vitality. Germination abundant on moist mineral soil in open or in light
shade; less frequent or wanting on drier, thick duff. Seedlings grow rapidly in cool,
moist, sandy soil, soon restocking high slopes and openings cleared by fire or storm.
I Includes Abies magnifica shastensis.