ASPEN AS A PERMANENT FOREST TYPE ^ 



By James M. Fetherolf 

 In Charge of Pocatcllo Nursery, Forest Service 



In an article on the "Stability of Aspen as a Type," published in the 

 January, 1916, issue of the Proceedings of the Society, the author 

 seems to infer that all aspen is temporary as a type, but refers to the 

 prevalence of a different view in District 4 from that held by himself. 

 In presenting this other view, I intend to bring out the more permanent 

 features of aspen as a type. The importance of a clear understanding 

 regarding this from the management and forestation standpoints is 

 admittedly great. Any information that may be supplied or stimulus 

 added to research efforts will be valuable. 



Aspen is admitted to be one of the most light-demanding species. 

 In its eastern range, where the number of cloudy days is great and a 

 large variety of trees are found which are mostly of larger size and 

 greater shade endurance, this species is generally crowded out sooner 

 or later and its re-establishment precluded, except when the more per- 

 manent species are destroyed by fire. Then, by virtue of excellent soil 

 preparation, light seed widely distributed by wind, followed by prompt 

 germination, aspen may gain possession of the ground and hold sway 

 for a time, during which it acts as a nurse for the species creeping in to 

 replace it. Thus aspen becomes a temporary forest type with prompt 

 establishment, early maturity, and nursing as the leading roles. 



But to understand this species better, its behavior in habitats like the 

 semi-arid intermountain region is of considerable value. This region, 

 as well understood, is characterized by heavy snowfalls, by hot, dry 

 summers, with an excess of sunlight, and topographically by great alti- 

 tudinal range. With such strong contrasts the forest types are gener- 

 ally clearly defined and, on account of the fewer species, less compli- 

 cated than in many other places. 



Here the different cover types may readily be traced altitudinally on 

 most any mountain range of considerable height. As a specific instance 

 of clear typing, Boulder Mountain, embraced within the Powell Na- 

 tional Forest in southeastern Utah, is cited. The mountain is capped 

 by an extensive plateau 11,000 feet high. The rim of this breaks off' 



* Read before Intermountain Section, Society of American Foresters, Decem- 

 ber 4, 1916. 



757 



