CENTRAL PLATEAU ZONE 



33 



chestnut, and Scotch pine. At higher elevations there is mountain pine, 

 larch, and cembric pine. (See Fig. 3.) This latter species extends to the 

 limit of tree growth, although larch is considered the most valuable of the 

 Alpine species. The most notable stands are the beech of Vercors, the 

 spruce of Tarentaise, the mountain pine of Embrunais, the fir of such rich 

 valleys as the Var, and the larch of Briangonnais, of Queyras, and of 

 Comte de Nice. French foresters divide the Alps into two regions: (1) 

 North Alps, which extends as far as Pelvoux. The valleys face the 



FIG. 3. Larch and oembrio pine at an altitude of 7,050 feet (north exposure) 

 in the Canton of Melezet, communal forest of Villarodin-Bourget. The soil must be 

 worked to facilitate regeneration. 



north and the stand is fairly intact. The chief species are beech, fir, 

 spruce, while larch is rare. (2) In the South Alps, from Pelvoux to the 

 Mediterranean, there are southerly exposures and a variable and severe 

 climate. Here is found the greatest damage from torrents. There are, 

 however, good stands of fir and spruce, while the larch is exceedingly im- 

 portant. There are also aspen, Scotch pine, and chestnut. Consider- 

 able damage from grazing is experienced. 



Central Plateau Zone. The Central Plateau includes the mountains 

 of Morvan, where beech is the important species, and the Cevennes, with 

 its stands of Austrian pine. 



