Regeneration by Douglas Fir 305 



humus but the soil is deeper with fewer small rocks, while only 

 a very small proportion of the surface consists of outcrops or 

 boulders. The ground cover is much thicker than on the steep 

 slopes, but similar in composition. These recently burned areas 

 are better adapted to tree growth than to any other purpose, and 

 it is especially important that they be regenerated. With the 

 economic development of the Bighorn Basin, will come a great 

 demand for water and timber — even now in fact, the completion 

 of contemplated irrigation projects will create a demand for water 

 exceeding the present supply — and the areas in question are well 

 located to serve this double function. The south slopes and the 

 steep slopes of all aspects were originally covered with only a 

 scrubby stand of timber, the trees growing very slowly and not 

 averaging over 50 feet in height, hence it is to be expected that 

 regeneration would serve primarily for the beneficial influence of 

 forest cover on the regulation of streamflow, and to prevent 

 further erosion. 



The moderate to gentle slopes, however, are excellent sites for 

 the production of timber, and restoring them to forests would be 

 chiefly for commercial purposes with streamflow protection a 

 secondary consideration. 



To successfully regenerate all these denuded areas Nature will 

 have to be aided by man, for although natural reproduction is 

 gradually coming in wherever it can, nevertheless on over 3,000 

 acres of it conditions are such that reforestation can only be 

 attained, either wholly or in part, by artificial means. As a 

 rule, the north slopes contain a few scattered live trees, which 

 are serving as seed trees, and as ground conditions are more 

 favorable than on the hotter and drier south slopes, natural re- 

 production is gradually becoming established. Although the seed 

 trees are few and scattered and the restocking process conse- 

 quently slow, nevertheless Nature can be expected to ultimately 

 entirely restock these north slopes. 



On the gentle slopes natural regeneration of Douglas fir, with 

 the exception of a few isolated specimens of seedlings or small 

 saplings, is entirely lacking, due to the absence of any live trees 

 of this species within seeding range. However, in places, the 

 Lodgepole pine is creeping in and will undoubtedly continue to 

 do so, wherever seed trees of this species are near enough to 

 make this physically possible. The best example of this is found 



