I. INTRODUCTION 



This study was initiated to update conservation status 

 information on Quercus macrocarpa with particular reference to 

 its occurrence on lands administered by the USDI Bureau of Land 

 Management (BLM) . The species is ranked as sensitive on the 

 draft list of sensitive plant species by the Bureau of Land 

 Management in Montana (USDI Bureau of Land Management 1992). 



Two primary areas were in the original study design, the Alzada 

 area in Carter County and a woody draw on the south side of the 

 Tenmile Creek valley in Prairie County, both in the Powder River 

 District. The latter was omitted when it was determined that the 

 presence of Quercus macrocarpa was the result of planting. A 

 site evaluation memo is provided on the latter separate from this 

 report. 



This final report details Alzada area survey procedures and 

 results, statewide species conservation status (modified from 

 Henifin et al. 1981) , and significance of results to state 

 species conservation. 



II. STUDY AREA AND METHODS 



The study area is located southwest of Alzada and south of 

 Thompson Creek in Carter County, in the far southeastern corner 

 of the state. All BLM tracts south and west of Alzada were 

 considered, but only tracts with trees were evaluated in the 

 field (Figure 1) . 



Most of the study area is made up of a series of ridges extending 

 into Wyoming. Physical and biological characteristics of the 

 area are described under background species information. 



BLM color aerial photographs (2 inches to the mile; flown 7-3-79) 

 were used in conjunction with USGS 7.5' topographic maps to 

 determine the location of forested areas, and tentatively 

 distinguish between deciduous and evergreen canopy. The maps and 

 aerial photograph frame numbers used are listed as follow: 



USGS map 

 Alzada 

 Comer Draw 

 Cochran Reservior 



BLM aerial photo (Flight line 24 MT 79) 

 1-1-16, 1-1-17 

 gap, 1-1-22, 1-1-24 

 1-1-24 



In addition, a Nature Conservancy site evaluation of the Alzada 

 Oaks area (Lesica 1986) was consulted for preliminary boundaries, 

 floristic inventory, and conservation observations. 



BLM tracts without trees present were deleted from consideration. 

 This included the majority of BLM administered lands in the area. 



