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

FOREST TREES OF THE PACIFIC SLOPE. 23
Noted in mountains about Lake Tahoe, Glen Alpine Canyon, Grass Lake, from summit
on west side Sierras at 7,500 feet to Echo at 5,500 feet. Alpine County: Silver Creek
Canyon above 7,500 feet; on and near summit of Mokelumne P'ass, at 8,800 feet, and
divide between Mokelumne and I'acific valleys at 7,900 feet. Tutlimne County: West to
just east of Eureka Valley and eastward nearly to Sonora Pass, at 9,000 feet; on White
Mountain, Mount Conness, ridge between Dingley and Delaney creeks at 9,000 to 9,500
feet; north side Lambert Dome, Tuolumne River Canyon, Middle Fork Tuolumue westward
nearly to White Wolf, between Tuolumne Meadows and Lake Tenaya, about Cathedral
Lakes and southward. Moariposa County: Near Sunrise Ridge at 9,300 feet, and into Little
Yosemite at 6,000 feet ; ridge west of Lake fenaya and westward to beyond White
Wolf, from Porcupine Flat southward to 7,800 feet. MJono County: Bloody Canyon (east
side Mono Pass), at about 9,300 feet. In southern Sierras, at 8,000 to 10,000 feet, while
on divide between Middle and South forks of Kings Iliver, and on divide between East and
Middle forks of Kaweah River, it goes to 11,000 feet elevation; tipper Kings River Canyon
abov, Junction Meadow and below Vidette Meadow ; (Giant Forest and from Clover Creek
Divide to Rowell Meadow ; Alta Peak (between Marble and E.rst Forks Kaweah River);
south side North Fork of IKaweah ; on Mount Silliman, at 8,900 to 10,200 feet, and above
Mineral King, at 9,600 to 10,400 feet. On west slopes of Sierras, extends southward to
head of Soda Creek (branch Little Kern River, in T. 19 S., It. 32 W.), and on divide
between Kern River and its south fork, to a point about opposite lower end of Monache
Valley (T. 19 to 21 S., R. 34 E , lat. 36' 10'). On east side of Sierras it extends from
Truckee to head of Cottonwood Creek. In south, reported on Mount Wilson in San
Gabriel Range, on San Bernardino Mountains, at 10,000 feet, at Round Valley in San
Jacinto Mountains at 8,900 to 9,500 feet, and on Tahquitz Peak at 8,600 feet.
The detailed range of this pine in Idaho and Montana will be dealt with in
a subsequent publication.
OCCURRENCE.
Not confined to any definite type of locality. At north, most abundant and largest
in moist valle, s, growing also in dry, exposed subalpine regions. Adapted to variety of
soils. Best growth occurs in deep, porous soils. Most common in poor, sandy situations.
Greatest development in northern Idaho, on gentle north slopes and flats. Less frequent
west of Continental Divide in Montana and of Cascades in Oregon. In northern
California, on north slopes, and on south and west slopes in protected coves, broad valleys,
and mountain benches; in southern California rather abundant on high, west slope of
Sierras. Occurs commonly as scattered trees or small groups with other species; very
rarely in pure stands and only on exposed high slopes. In Cascades and Sierras occasionally
forming 50 to 70 per cent of stand on small areas, but throughout its range not
exceeding 3 or 4 per cent. In Washington associated with western hemlock. amabilis
fir, lowland fir, and Douglas fir; in Oregon, with Douglas fir, lowland fir, and amabilis
fir; in California, with Douglas fir, lodgepole pine, red fir, and Shasta fir.
CLIMATIC CONDITIONs.-Throughout its range the approximate seasonal temperature
varies between -26° F. and 98° F. Mean annual rainfall in north, from 15 inches in
parts of Montana and Idaho to about 60 inches near Puget Sound; in California, probably
between 20 and 30 inches. Humidity is great in western Washington, where over
tv a-thirds of the days are cloudy or foggy, while it is smaller in east and south, where
one-half of the days are overcast. Snow falls throughout its range, less near sea than in
northern Rocky and California mountains, where it reaches a depth of several feet.
TOLERANCE--Endures shade for a relatively long period in youth, later requiring an
abundance of light for its development. It prunes well. Does not recover well after
suppression during pole stage.
REPRODntCTION.-Reproduces itself only sparingly and at irregular intervals of about
two years. Not a prolific seeder; bears seed only when of considerable age (40 to
60 years). Seed germinates poorly on heavy humus, unless the humus is moist during
most of growing season ; best on exposed moist mineral soil.
Sugar Pine.
Pinus lambertiana Dougl.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS.
The largest and most magnificent of Pacific white pines, if not of all the timber
pines of the region, the western yellow pine being its only rival. Its massive
trunk attains a height of from 160 to 180 feet, with a diameter of from 4 to 7
feet. Somewhat taller and larger trees are occasionally found. The trunk