THE FORESTS OF LOS ANGELES, SAN DIEGO. AND 

 SAN BERNARDINO COUNTIES, CALIFORNIA/ 



By Abbot Kes^net, California. 



Tlie term '' forest," as it is nuderstood in the older States, is appli- 

 cable in only a limited extent to the natural tree and brnsli growths of 

 southern California. 



Upon the mountain heights alone would the Eastern man feel himself 

 to be in a forest. Xo account of the forests of southern California 

 would, however, be complete without a description of all the natural 

 tree and brush growths found here. 



As has been said, there are no forests, properly speaking, in the 

 valleys or on the plains. The growths in these portions of the country 

 consist of the following : On the plains, near the sea, and near rivers or 

 damp swampy places, Willows grow in rank dense groves, and furnish 

 a large amount of fire- wood. The Sycamore strays down the canyons 

 and water-courses to within sound of the ocean breakers. It is only 

 used for fire -wood. 



In the valleys large groves of Oak occur ; these trees are from iH) to 

 40 feet apart, and are often magnificent old monarchs, most picturesque 

 and attractive. Quercus lohata, or the White Live Oak, forms the larger 

 l)art of the groves, but the Eed Oaks, Quercus chri/soJepis, and Quei^- 

 cus agrifolia, with their dark-green, glistening, holly-like leaves, are 

 the most attractive. These are scattered through the groves and can- 

 yons. The oak groves resemble the plantations of the most beautiful 



' This short report by Mr. Abbot Kinney, now chairman of the California State 

 Board of Forestry, was prepared for this Division in the spring of 1886, in the hope 

 that by aiding sucli work the then incipient forestry interests of California might be 

 Ibstered. It has been printed in the report of the California Board of Forestry, and 

 is here produced because it serves to show how even the preservation and protection 

 of natural brush lands may become a subject of solicitude on the part of States and 

 connuuuities. The leport was accompanied by an incomplete paper on the trees and 

 shrubs of San Diogo County, for which has been substituted a coiTiplete list, prepared 

 by^Ir. Sudworth, of the Forestry Division. — B. E. F. 

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