Reproduction of Lodgcpole Pine. 21 



is present in sufficient quantities, it will stand considerable drought 

 in the soil. It is rather susceptible to windfall on account of its 

 shallow root systems. It is particularly subject to windfall east 

 of the continental divide and on exposed sites where severe wind- 

 storms are prevalent. In tolerance, it varies between intermediate 

 and the intolerant class, depending upon the local conditions such 

 as altitude, soil moisture and fertility, and vigor of the trees. In 

 youth it is most tolerant, while at maturity it will not endure any 

 shade. This accounts for the rapid thinning out of the older 

 stands. In resistance to fire, it is probably the poorest of any 

 of the more important trees of the west, not excluding Western 

 White Pine. Even a light ground fire will frequently kill the 

 trees, particularly the .younger poles with their thin flaky bark. 

 The resinous character of the bark is in a large degree responsible 

 for this condition. 



The strong reproductive power of this tree, however, is in a 

 large measure the secret of its success in occuping the soil and this 

 alone insures it an important place among the trees for future 

 management of western National Forests. It produces a large 

 crop of seeds nearly every year and through the agency of wind 

 and gravitation on steep slopes, the seed is commonly carried to 

 considerable distances, up to one-half mile. Perhaps the most 

 wonderful feature of Lodgepole Pine reproduction is the fact that 

 seeds will retain their germinative power as long as fifty years or 

 more. ( ?) As soon as a fire prepares the mineral seed bed it 

 proceeds to spring up and occupy the soil. 



Managemeni. 



In the past, Lodgepole Pine has been managed on the selection 

 system using a minimum diameter limit on most of the small 

 timber sales on the Forests mentioned above. This has been 

 necessary because of the fact that the smaller material could not 

 be utilized in the markets. Another reason was that it was 

 thought that Lodgepole Pine could be successfully managed on 

 this system. But in many cases the remaining trees blew down 

 and it was found that reproduction would not come up sufficiently 

 on the humus and vegetable seed bed of the forest floor. Both, 

 this fact as shown in the above data, together with its compara- 

 tive intolerance and shallow root system indicate that this system 



