FOREST AND RAXGE RESOURCES OF UTAH 81 



weather, does not hold nails well, and tends to twist. It is sawed 

 to some extent into rough lumber, but for the most part is used 

 locally for fuel, house logs, and corral poles. On account of its free- 

 dom from any taste or odor it is being used more and more in the 

 manufacture of boxes for butter, cheese, and candy. 



THE PINES 



LODGEPOLE PINE 



With a stand of approximately 1,470,583,000 board feet, lodgepole 

 pine (Pinus contort a) ranks first among commercial timber trees 

 in Utah. 



Occurrence. — Practically all of this species in Utah is found in the 

 Uinta Mountains, where it forms the most extensive timber bodies in 

 the State, at elevations ranging from 8,000 to 11,000 feet. Lodgepole 

 pine is characteristically found in almost pure stands. 



Requirements. — Lodgepole pine is classed between Douglas fir and 

 western yellow pine in its demand for light. It is unable to endure 

 much overhead shade but can survive and recover from long periods 

 of extreme crowding if not overtopped. 



Reproduction. — Typical lodgepole pine cones require two years to 

 mature, and ripen in late August or September. A large seed crop 

 can be expected every year. 



Lodgepole pine extends itself over unburned areas but on burned- 

 over areas reproduction is exceedingly thick and even. Exposed 

 mineral soil and freshly burned surfaces make the best seed beds. 

 The only disadvantage in the restocking of burns is the extreme 

 density of the young stands, which is a serious hindrance to growth. 



Growth and yield. — As a forest tree lodgepole pine forms a charac- 

 teristically straight, slim, gradually tapering trunk with compact 

 conical crown. It rarely becomes more than 75 feet high and 20 

 inches in diameter. Average stands yield from 5,000 to 8,000 board 

 feet per acre. 



Fire resistance. — On account of its very thin bark and the abun- 

 dance of resin in the old bark, lodgepole pine is more susceptible to 

 injury than western yellow pine or Douglas fir. Its fairly deep root 

 system and moderately high open crown make it more resistant than 

 Engelmann spruce and alpine fir. 



Characteristics of the wood. — The wood of lodgepole pine is 

 straight grained, fairly soft, and slightly stronger than western 

 yellow pine. Lodgepole pine is not durable in contact with the soil 

 and should always be given preservative treatment when used for 

 telephone poles, fence posts, or railroad ties. 



Commercial importance. — Lodgepole pine is the most important 

 tree species on a number of Utah forests. Because of the form and 

 size of the tree and the character of the wood, lodgepole when treated 

 with creosote is exceptionally valuable for railroad ties and mine 

 props. 



WESTERN YELLOW PINE 



With a stand of 1,284,575,000 board feet, western yellow pine 

 (Pinus ponder osa) ranks third among the timber trees of Utah. 

 4166°— 30 6 



