I40 ALASKA 



Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta). 

 Black Hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana). 

 Alpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa). 

 White spruce (Picea canadensis). 

 Black spruce (Picea mariana). 

 Balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera). 

 Black Cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa). 

 Birches (Betula). 

 Willows (Salix). 



From the description given above it is evident that hemlock 

 and spruce are the species which determine the stand per acre. 

 Kellogg estimates that together they constitute 95 per cent of 

 the total average volume per acre with the hemlock much more 

 abundant and making up 75 per cent of this total. For an 

 average stand per acre a midway location must be chosen. 

 Around Cook Inlet the stands are distinctly less in volume than 

 at the southern end of the territory where it touches British 

 .Columbia. This is because the trees do not attain such good 

 diameter and height growth in the north. Diameters of over 

 four feet and heights of more than 100 feet are not common 

 north of Juneau. South of there, however, the stands often 

 average better than 25,000 feet per acre. From these heavy 

 stands there is a gradual decrease northward in the diameters and 

 heights until around Cook Inlet the timber averages two feet in 

 diameter and 60 feet in height with stands averaging less than 

 10,000 feet per acre. For the type as a whole 15,000 feet is a 

 conservative figure. 



Except for a small amount of insect and fungus damage the 

 type is remarkably free from disease. This is undoubtedly due 

 to the absence of fire, a result of the heavy precipitation. The 

 ground is covered with a thick mat of undergrowth and moss 

 which is kept continually wet by the ocean fogs. Hence, the 

 trees grow unchecked until they are overmature unless the soil 

 is so thin that the wind overthrows them. Such damage is, 

 however, sHght except near the upper limit of tree growth where 

 the mountain slopes are steep and the soil is shallow. 



Growth cannot be satisfactorily set forth on account of lack 

 of data. There are only a few figures available for the best sites. 



