412 



George E. Nichols, 



heath. In general, this association-type is intermediate in 

 character between heath and typical forest. 



The ecological status of the tamarack in northern Cape Breton. 

 — The status of the tamarack in the lowland has already been 

 referred to. In the barrens it is a common tree, but throughout 

 the forested region of the highlands it is absent or very rare in 



Figure 58. — Weather-beaten balsam fir ; barrens in mountains west of 

 Ingonish. This tree measured eight feet high (overall) and had a trunk 

 less than three feet high (in position indicated by arrow) but seven inches 

 in diameter and with more than 150 annual rings. The present leader, to 

 left of trunk, shows well the effect of heavy westerly winds (from right 

 in picture) and wind-driven snow. 



upland forests, being confined mainly to open swamps. The 

 evident scarcity of this tree in all but open situations is correlated 

 with the fact that it is primarily a pioneer species : it is 

 notoriously intolerant of shade. As a result, except in barrens, 

 swamps, or other open situations, it has almost everywhere been 

 crowded out in competition with the more tolerant climax trees. 



The low woodland association-type. — This is essentially similar 

 to the low woodland type of poorly drained uplands described 



