LiStfAW 
CEREAL INVES' !G AT IONS, 
A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF THE GROWTH OF NOBLE 
FIR 1 
By E. J. Hanzlik, 
Forest Inspector , Forest Service , United States Department of Agriculture 
INTRODUCTION 
Noble fir ( Abies nobilis) is one of the main components of the forest 
in the upper-slope type on the west slope of the Cascade Range in 
Oregon and Washington. It rarely occurs in pure stands. In the 
lower part of its range, it is usually found in mixture with Douglas fir 
(Pseudotsuga taxifolia ), western hemlock ( Tsuga Tietero'phyUa) , and 
amabilis fir ( Abies amabilis ).* In its upper limits it is associated 
with western white pine (. Pinus monticola) , amabilis fir, and yellow 
cypress ( Chamaecyparis nootkatensis) in Washington and northern 
Oregon, and with white fir ( Abies concolor ), white pine, and hem¬ 
lock in southern Oregon. It also occurs in the Olympic Moun¬ 
tains of Washington, and is found as a rare tree in the Coast Ranges 
of Oregon. 
The altitudinal limits of the noble fir lie between 3,000 feet and 
5,000 feet, occurring at this higher point only in the southern part 
of its range. In northern Washington its upper limit is between 
4,000 and 4,500 feet. Below 3,000 feet it occurs only as a rare, 
scattered individual in mixture with the Douglas fir. 
The data used in the present study were obtained in connection 
with a general study of western hemlock upon the logging operation 
of the Bridal Veil Lumber Co. near Palmer, Oreg., on the west slope 
of Larch Mountain (T. 1 N., R. 6 E., W. M.) 
The area involved presented a west to southwest aspect on a 
gentle to moderate slope, at an elevation of from 3,000 feet to 3,500 
feet. The topography is relatively smooth, and the drainage is 
very good, the area being cut into gentle contours by a number of 
, small streams. 
The soil consists of a clayey to a sandy loam, 6 to 18 inches deep, 
with a moderate depth of humus and decaying vegetable matter on 
the ground. The subsoil is composed of rock and gravel, none of 
the rock outcropping to the surface. 
The climatic conditions are such as to be quite favorable to tree 
growth. The temperature does not vary greatly during the different 
seasons. The summers are fairly cool, with an abundance of fog 
and mist; while the winters, although having an excessive snowfall, 
are not subject to extremely low temperatures. The precipitation 
ranges from 80 to 90 inches per annum. For the best development 
of noble fir, a comparatively humid climate and a fresh, deep, porous 
soil are required. Although this locality is a quality III site of the 
lower slope type for Douglas fir, it is the best quality upon which noble 
fir grows, as this tree does not form any stands at lower elevations. 
The stand represents a mature forest composed of noble fir, Douglas 
fir, and western hemlock, with a scattering of amabilis fir. This 
1 Received for publication Dec. 23, 1924; issued January, 1926. 
Journal of Agricultural Research, 
Washington, D. C. 
( 929 ) 
Vol. XXXI, No. 10 
Nov. 15, 1925 
Key No. F-27 
