at the Bear Valley .store and measures 21 ft. 7 in. This 

 pine has probably attained its full growth as the top is 

 already dead. One at the garden fence at Seven Oaks is 

 16 ft. The largest one at Bluff Lake among the cottages 

 is 13 ft. 10 in. in circumference. A sugar pine midway on 

 the trail from Seven Oaks to Bear Valley, the largest seen, 

 measured 18 ft. 1 in. and is one of the finest trees in the 

 district. 



Judging from some estimates made on some cut stumps 

 of pines in the neighborhood of the hotel few. if any. attain 

 an age of 300 years, the majority dying before 200 years. 

 The rate of growth is so closely dependent on situation and 

 moisture that mere size is no indication of age. Of the 

 trees examined one showed 255 annual rings, yet was only 

 40 in. in diameter 3 ft. from the ground. The first 45 years 

 it grew 18 in. in diameter. The next 40 it increased 8 in. 

 The next 40 it increased 4 in.; while the last 4 in. of growth 

 occupied 90 years. 



From the estimate made of various stumps I concluded 

 that in this district the average growth of the yellow pine 

 was 1 inch in diameter every 5 years till it has attained 

 a foot in diameter, after which the average is not more 

 than 1 inch in 10 or 12 vears. 



Gifint Sequoias. 



56 



