32 



FOREST REGIONS AND IMPORTANT SPECIES 



(3) In the third division ^ the average elevation is 2,620 to 2,950 feet but 

 extends to 3,940 feet. The chmate is severe and the production less than 

 in the lower zone. After windfall, provided insects can be kept out, the 

 soil usually seeds naturally to a good stand. With fir, spruce, and beech 

 there is some sycamore. The rainfall averages more than 39 inches 

 a year. The forest of Risoux is typical. (4) The Haute- Jura, like the 

 Haute- Vosges, is chiefly valuable for grazing, such as is found in the forest 

 of La Dole. 



Fig. 2. — The richest silver fir (with spruce) stands in France are found in the 

 State forest of La Joux (Jura). Note the clear boled stand from natural regeneration. 

 During the war the Canadians cut heavily in this superb forest. 



Alps Zone. — The third great mountain subdivision, the Alps, ex- 

 tends from the Lake of Geneva to the Mediterranean — from the limit of 

 tree growth to the sea level. In the lower mountains, up to 1,970 to 2,130 

 feet, one finds such typical plains species as the white oak, holm oak, 



3 Jolyet claims the third Jura plateau is a myth and prefers the term "Hautes chaines 

 du Jura" to "Haute-Jura" for the fourth subdivision. 



