1'orcst Conditions in Central Sierra Ncvadas 33 



area, and later is replaced by a more valuable species. This 

 theory is verified by the presence of numerous seedlings and 

 saplings of Jeffrey Pine frequently found growing beneath a 

 pole stand of White Fir. A feature of the type is the frequent 

 stands of dense poles, the individual trees often standing so 

 close together that it is almost impossible to penetrate the area. 

 This condition is merely local, however, and generally the forest 

 is easily traversed. Scattered Red Fir and Jeffrey Pine some- 

 times occur here, but never in large proportions. The type as 

 a whole is of but secondary value and importance in the economic 

 use of the forest. 



BRUSH TYPE. 



The Brush Type, although considered as a temporary stage 

 in the succession, often persists for many years. The brush 

 quickly covers an area after fire or cutting, often making a 

 more dense cover following complete denudation. The type is 

 not confined to any one aspect, but is found on all sites and 

 under all conditions. The relative abundance of the various 

 species is approximately shown by the order in the following 

 list: Snow brush (Ceanothus velntinus Dougl.) ,Manzanita 

 (Arctostaphylos manzanita Parry), Wild Cherry (Prunus 

 demissa Walp.), Chinquapin (Castanopsis chrysophylla A. DC.), 

 Huckleberry Oak (Quercus vaccinifolia Engelm.) and Buck- 

 brush. Others of lesser importance in the ground cover are 

 Dwarf Manzanita (Arctostaphylos nevadensis Gray.) and Squaw 

 Mat. Although the type is of but little real commercial value, 

 land erosion is diminished by it and much protection is given to 

 the young seedlings. 



UTILIZATION. 



As previously mentioned the Southern Pacific Railway cuts 

 across and nearly bisects the region. As a result, all of the more 

 accessible timber has been logged and the country deprived of 

 one of its main assets. As the virgin timber here was excellent 

 in quality, and apparently of an unlimited quantity, the early 

 logging was carried on in a very destructive and wasteful man- 

 ner. Evidences found of the wasteful logging practiced in the 

 past, such as immense sawed, but abandoned, logs, are not un- 

 common. Sugar Pine and Jeffrey Pine logs from 3 to 4 feet in 

 diameter are often found ; in most cases they were left because 

 they contained one or two large knots. At several abandoned 



