28 



FORESTS OF MOUNT EAINIEB NATIONAL PARK. 



great distance from the tree. On rocky summits and the bleak crests 

 of wind-swept ridges the twisted trunk and branches are quite pros- 

 trate and the crown is a dense flattened mass of foliage. 



The roots of the tree are deep, long, and tenacious. They spread 

 wide and deep and cling so firmly to the rocks that the tree is rarely 

 overthrown by the violent winds that sweep over the mountain. 



FIG. 21. A whitebark pine (Pinus alHcaulis} in its characteristic mountain 

 habitat, Mount Rainier National Park. 



Photograph by A. II. Denman. 



The thick, purple cones require two years to mature. They ripen 

 early in September and produce chocolate-brown seeds a little larger 

 than a grain of corn. They are much relished by the Klickitat In- 

 dians, who go to considerable pains to secure them. The wood is 

 close grained and resinous. It makes excellent fuel for the camp fires 

 of sheep herders and mountain travelers. 



