Some Large Trees. I. 



By Anstruther Davidson, M. 1). 



Our botanical papers and text books contain a lull and 

 accurate description <>t" our native trees and their distribu- 

 tion iu Southern California, hut little has been written about 

 their size or their actual measurement. Had actual measure- 

 ments of our Largest trees been recorded when they were 

 first discovered, we would today have had very accurate 

 estimate of the rate of growth and relative age of many of 

 our l'oicst giants. It is never too late It) begin a good work 

 and the following notes will. J hope, encourage others to 

 search out. locate, and measure the large trees in their 

 respect ive localities. 



The Western Juniper (J. occidentalis) grows in scattered 

 patches around Bear Valley dam in San Bernardino moun- 

 tains. On a point on the south side of the lake about two 

 miles from the Hotel there are a number of trees showing 

 vigorous growth. Some of them are very large for what 

 is described in our text books as a small tree. The tallest 

 attain a height of 40 to 60 feet (estimated). The largest 

 seen had a (dean trunk for about 12 ft. and measured in 

 circumference 5 It. from the ground, 13 ft. 2 in. 



A few other large ones have branched near the base 

 so that at 5 I't. up. there were two trunks. The largest of 

 these, a well foliated tree about 50 ft. high, has the two 

 trunks measuring 12 ft. 8 in., and 10 ft. 10 in., respectively. 

 Another similarly forked, measures 8 ft. and 13 ft. 1 in. in 

 circumference. The Bear Valley dam is already in process 

 of being raised 12 feet higher. When that is accomplished 

 sonic of Hie largest trees will be submerged. Of the other 

 trees around Bear Valley the white firs (Abies concolor) 

 and yellow pines (Pinus ponderosa) arc the largest. 



Of the firs there are some splendid specimens with tall 

 massive holes towering 100 ft. in height. The firs favor 

 the darker and more shaded canyons and meadow margins, 

 and naturally attain their greatest size where moisture is 

 most easily attained. The largest 1 saw grows on the edge 

 of Bluff Lake meadow. It is 22 ft. in circumference 5 ft. 

 from the ground. At the corral at Bear Valley meadow 

 are two firs measuring !!• ft. and 10 ft. in circumference. 

 Another large one IT) i't. ;") in. in circumference stands on 

 the top of the grade between Seven Oaks and Bear Valley. 

 None of the pines there attain the circumference of the firs. 

 The largest yellow pine stands on the edge of the stream 



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