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

200 FOREST TREES OF THE PACIFIC SLOPE.
Large quantities of the berry-like, spherical or elongated fruit (fig. 78, c),
about three-eighths of an inch long, are borne every year after a tree begins to
fruit. The fruit is black when ripe, in early autumn. The pale chestnut-colored
seed is about one-fourth of an inch long by one-eighth of an inch thick.
The single seed leaf is narrow and lance-shaped.
Wood, soft, very spongy and fibrous, and yellowish; the tough fibers duill
yellow-brown. The possible commercial use of this wood is yet to be determined;
if of any considerable importance it is likely to be for paper pulp.
LoNGEVITY.-There is no way of determining the age of palms, since there are
no annual rings to count as in other trees. The age this species attains can
therefore be given only approximately. Two very large Washington palms in
San Pedro street, Los Angeles, Cal., supposed to have been planted there by
Jesuits, are possibly 200 years old. They are about 3 feet in diameter and
said to be 90 or 100 feet high.
No arborescent plant is more popular than this for ornamental planting in
the dry Southwest, and none better able to thrive and to grow rapidly where
few other trees succeed without irrigation. Its many long, very strong roots
descend to great depths. As a tree for clothing desert canyons and contiguous
slopes, even if only an open forest can be secured, it is likely to be of no small
importance.
RANGE.
Colorado Desert In southern California in central Riverside and San Diego counties
and in canyons of south side of San Bernardino and east side of San Jacinto Mountains
and of coast ranges farther south. South, in eastern part of Lower California, at least
as far as southern end of Mount San Pedro Martir (lat. 300 30'). In general from sea
level to 2,000 feet.
CALIFORNIA.-Confined to northern and western borders of Salton Sink and Its
northwestern extension. At base of foothills of south side of eastern range of San
Bernardino Mountains east to Indio (T. 1 to 5 S., R. 5 to 8 E). Locally noted a few
miles north of Southern Pacific Railroad between Indio and Seven Palms. Northwestern
limit Whitewater Canyon, in San Bernardino Mountains (lat. 34°, long. 116° 40'), which
It ascends to 1,126 feet. San Jacinto Mountains locally noted Palm Canyon near Agua
Caliente 10 miles south of Southern Pacific Railroad at Seven Palms at 500 feet and up,
one tree In Andreas Canyon nearly at 800 feet, Dos Palmos Spring (T. 6 S., R. 5 E.),
Thousand Palms Canyon (T. 9 S., R. 5 E.), Seventeen Palms (T. 10 S., R. 18 E.), and
Palm Canyon north of San Ysidro Mountains (T. 10 S., R. 5 E.). Farther south,
extending xvell up into most canyons of east side of Coast Mountains; not in canyon
through which San Diego wagon road passes 5 miles north of Mexican boundary.
Eastward a few trees follow line of old outlets of Salton Sea south into Lower
California.
OCCURRENCE.
Margins of the inland Colorado Desert sea bed and low desert mountain cinyons, in
wet, sandy, alkali soil (border of sea bed), and moist, rocky, sandy ground (canyons).
Forms open, extensive pure stands, with frequent rather dense groups, or is widely
scattered; sometimes interspersed with occasional cottonwood, and in southern range
with mesquite, yuccas, cacti, mescal, and creosote bushes.
CLIMATIC CONDITIONS.-Similar to those of Joshua tree.
TOLERANCE -Appears capable of enduring much shade in youth, but later grows in full,
strong light.
REPRODUCTION.-Very abundant seeder. Reproduction plentiful, yet less frequent in
some places, probably because large quantities of seed are collected by Indians.
Family LILIACEIE.
The trees belonging to this family differ from the palm included here in having
large lily-like flowers and a capsule-like many-seeded fruit, instead of a
berry-like one-seeded fruit. They differ from tree palms also in being branched
to some extent when mature.