Comments: Most of the lower and middle elevation forests in the Ruby Range, including this 

 type, were clearcut in the late 1800's and early 1900's, a time when harvest of timber for fiiel and 

 timbers for the mining boom was intense. Timber productivity of PSEMEN/ARNCOR is low 

 (Pfister et al. 1977). 



Pseudotsuga menziesii/Juniperiis communis plant association 



(PSEMEN/JUNCOM; Douglas-fir/common juniper; MTNHP rank G5/S4; 1 plot) 



Environment: PSEMEN/JUNCOM was sampled by one unlogged plot on the west flank of the 

 northern Ruby Range. The community is on a relatively steep, west facing slope at 7,440 feet 

 elevation. Somewhat cooler, northerly aspects nearby have Pseudotsuga menziesii/Arnica 

 cordifolia communities. 



Soils: The plot is within the Wliitore-rock outcrop complex mapping unit (USDA Soil 

 Conservation Service 1989), a major type in the Ruby Range with soils derived from limestone 

 colluvium. Whitore soils are deep, well drained stony and channery loams typically covered by 

 about 2" of forest duff They are classified as Cryochrepts. 



Vegetation: There is moderate canopy cover (total about 60%) which is strongly dominated by 

 pole to large sized Pseudotsuga menziesii with less cover by Pinusflexilis, which is serai and 

 dying out due to long temi competition. The understory is dominated by the low stature shrub 

 Juniperus communis with about 20% cover. There are no abundant graminoids and relatively low 

 cover by forbs, the most common being Aster conspicuus. Astragalus miser, and Solidago 

 multiradiata. 



Comments: The habitat type is also found on granitic substrates elsewhere in Montana, where 

 Pinus cotitorta is the major serai tree species (Pfister et al. 1977). Judging from the small size and 

 relatively old age (about 280 years) oi Pseudotsuga menziesii in the plot, this type probably has 

 low timber productivity in the Ruby Range. 



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