White Pines of Montana and Idaho. 221 



exist on the Madison Forest also, but whether the species is Pinus 

 Uexilis or Pinus albicaulis, the Forest officers are uncertain. Prob- 

 ably both species are represented. When grouped together as 

 one species they are estimated to form about 5 per cent, of the 

 total tree growth of the Forest. Below 6,000 feet and above 

 10,000 feet, as well as on exposed situations, the species are very 

 scrubby and of no value. Between those limits, and attaining 

 their best development at about 8,000 feet, the trees usually pro- 

 duce one, sometimes two, and occasionally three logs. 



Manner of Growth: Commonly a low, stout, much-branched 

 tree, usually between 25 and 50 feet high, with a trunk from 5 

 inches to three feet in diameter. In its usual habitat the tree 

 is so stunted and the trunk so short as to yield no merchantable 

 logs. In better locations, however, it is possible to cut 10 foot 

 or even longer logs. When found growing mixed with other 

 species in sheltered canyons, it often forms a tall straight tree, 

 in shape somewhat similar to that of the Lodgepole Pine. As 

 compared with White-bark Pine, when grown in the same situa- 

 tions, the Limber Pine has the longer straighter trunk of the 

 two. The bark of large trees is comparatively thick, being dis- 

 tinctly furrowed and ridged. The branches are large and thick, 

 developing apparently at the expense of the trunk. 



The characteristics which easily distinguish Limber Pine from 

 White-bark Pine are confined chiefly to the cones. The cones of 

 Pinus Uexilis are commonly considered larger and thicker than 

 those of Pinus albicaulis. The tips of the cone-scales of both 

 species are very thick, but those of the Limber Pine are rounded, 

 while those of the White-bark are markedly pointed. Further- 

 more, the Limber Pine cones liberate their seeds and fall to the 

 ground soon after they are ripe, so that it is most always possible 

 to find entire cones beneath the tree, old and weathered perhaps, 

 but still intact. This is in contrast to the cones of Pirms albi- 

 caulis, which are very persistent on the trees, and remain closed 

 for some time, so that by the time they reach the ground they are 

 apt to be torn to pieces by birds and squirrels, or else fall to 

 pieces from decay. 



Characteristics of Wood: The wood of Limber Pine is pale 

 lemon-yellow in color, soft, and close-grained on account of its 

 exceedingly slow growth. When green the wood is extremely 

 heavy, and if left in water any length of time will sink. After 



