Locality 



The data were obtained at the logging operations of the Bridal Veil 

 Lumbering Company near Palmer, Oregon, upon the west slope of 

 Larch Mountain, in T. 1 N., R. 6 E. W. M. adjacent to the Oregon 

 National Forest. 



Physical Conditions 



The area examined* presented a west to southwest aspect with a 

 gentle to moderate slope, at an elevation of from 3,000 to 3,500 feet above 

 sea-level. The topography is very smooth and the drainage good, the 

 area being cut into gentle contours by a number of small streams. 



The soil consists of clayey to sandy-loam, 6 inches to 18 inches 

 deep, with a moderate depth of humus and decaying vegetable matter 

 on the ground. The subsoil is composed of rock and gravel, none of the 

 former outcropping to the surface. 



The climatic conditions are such as to be very favorable to tree growth. 

 The temperature does not vary greatly during the different seasons; the 

 summers are quite cool with an abundance of fog and mist, while the 

 winters, although having an excessive snowfall, are not subject to ex- 

 ceedingly low temperatures. The precipitation in the form of rain, 

 snow, fog, and mist runs from 80 inches to 90 inches per annum. For 

 the best development of noble fir a comparatively humid climate and a 

 fresh, deep, porous soul are required. This locality is a Quality III site 

 of the lower slope type, although it is the best quality upon which noble 

 fir grows. 



Forest Conditions 



The stand represents a mature forest composed of noble fir, Douglas 

 fir, and western hemlock, with a scattering of amabilis fir. The last named 

 species becomes more abundant with an increase in elevation, taking the 

 place of the hemlock and Douglas fir, these latter species dropping out 

 of the stand. Noble fir and Douglas fir form the dominant crown classes, 

 hemlock occurring mainly as an understory. In point of numbers, hem- 

 lock forms about 60 per cent of the stand, noble fir and Douglas fir about 

 20 per cent each; according to volume, however, noble fir forms 46 per 

 cent, Douglas fir 24 per cent, and hemlock 30 per cent. The crown 

 density varies from .8 to .9 in point of density for the upper story, 

 which coupled with the crowns of the suppressed hemlock, casts a rather 

 dense shade upon the ground. This heavy shade accounts probably for 

 the almost total lack of underbrush, exceptions being noted where the 

 canopy has been opened up by windfall or by the death of the dominant 

 trees. 



The Tree 



Noble fir in this locality forms a tall, straight, cylindrical bole, 

 with a comparatively small and open crown. The trunk prunes itself 

 readily of side branches, indicating the rather intolerant nature of the 

 tree ; the length of the crown being only about one-third to one-fourth of the 

 total height. Trees were found up to 6 feet in diameter at breast 

 height, attaining a maximum height of about 215 feet; the average 

 tree, however, having a diameter of little over 4 feet, with a height of 

 about 196 feet. 



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