Historic, Archive Document

Do not assume content reflects current scientific knowledge, policies, or practices.

A455

.8

.F85

^ (^mM w

mCIFIC NORTHWEST

FOREST AND RANGE EXPERIMENT STATION U.S. DEPT OF AGRICULTURE • FOREST SERVICE SEPTEMBER 1961

select specimens which are healthy and sound, and

if possible, have known

specimens for comparison.

JAMES C. SPACE

fi>rSS

A GUIDE TO

SEEDLING IDENTIFICATION

FOR 25 CONIFERS

OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

by Jerry F. Franklin

September 1961

USDA National Agricultural Library

NAL Building

10301 Baltimore Blvd.

Beltsville, MO 20705-2351

PACIFIC NORTHWEST FOREST and RANGE EXPERIMENT STATION Portland, Oregon R. W. Cowlin, Director

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE

CONTENTS

Page

INTRODUCTION 1

METHODS 2

TERMS 3

REFERENCES 6

KEY TO NORTHWESTERN

CONIFEROUS SEEDLINGS 7

INDEX TO SEEDLING DESCRIPTIONS . . 14

SEEDLING DESCRIPTIONS

16

INTRODUCTION

Positive field identification of very young seedlings of Pacific Northwest conifers has been difficult because they often occur in mixture and available descriptions of seedling characteristics have been scattered, incomplete, and in some cases, inaccurate.

This is a guide for the identification of young seedlings. It consists of a key to the seed- ling characteristics of 25 important conifers of the Pacific Northwest. Supplemental descriptions and photos are also provided for each. The key and descriptions are based on the charg.cteristics of very young seedlings- -that is, from the time seedcoats are initially shed until either (1) coty- ledons are shed, or (2) the second season of

growth starts.

METHODS

The key and seedling descriptions were developed in two steps. First, 25 to 50 seed- lings of each species were grown in the green- house for one season. —

Second, field checks of at least 25 seed- lings of each species were made in various loca- tions in Oregon and southwest Washington.

Information on seedling size is based on measurements of both greenhouse- and field- grown seedlings. These size data apply only to normal healthy seedlings and may not fit abnor- mal seedlings or those growing under adverse conditions. Maximum seedling sizes presented are generally based on greenhouse-grown seed- lings. Seedling growth is, of course, highly variable and influenced by size and quality of seed, seed source, depth of planting, and amount of light and moisture.

— Acknowledgment is made to Manning Seed Co. , Oregon State University School of Forestry, and Woodseed, Inc. , for supplying some of the seed for this study. Acknowledgment is also made to Harold J. Jensen of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest for supplying supplementary data on seedling characteristics.

-2-

TERMS

Seedlings, as described in this guide, are the yoijng plants during the first growing season. The seed leaves, or first leaves formed by the seedling, are called cotyledons. Conifers have two to several cotyledons, all attached at the same point. The growing tip, including the young stem and leaves above the cotyledons, is the epicotyl. The first true leaves, called juvenile leaves, generally are unlike adult leaves formed later on mature twigs. In shape, cotyledons and juvenile leaves may be needlelike, i. e. , very slender and gradually tapering to a point; or linear, i. e. , long and narrow with margins mainly parallel. The tip or end of cotyledons and juvenile needles may be acuminate, if gradually tapering to a point, or acute, if forming a broad sharp point. The tip may also be blunt, rounded, or notched. Cotyledons or juvenile needles may be glaucous -- partially covered with a white, waxy bloom. Juvenile needles and cotyledons in some species are serrulate, that is, the margins of the leaves have fine teeth or barbs pointing toward the apex. Cotyledon cross sections may be of four types (fig. 1), including three trian- gular shapes and flat.

Bud characteristics are indispensable in positive identification of Abies seedlings. Three types of buds occur in western Abies (fig. 2).

The importance of buds is apparent in the key on page 7.

-3-

Cotyledons

Isosceles triangle (example, Pinus)

Equilateral triangle (example, Picea)

Obtuse triangle (example, Abies)

Flat (example, Cbamaecyparis)

Figure 1. --Shapes of cotyledons in cross section.

-4-

B-ud Charactexistics

%

498724

Figure 2. --Bud characteristics of Abies.

Left: bud of Abies procera, typical of those in which the outer scales are nonresinous, elongated, and free.

Middle: bud of Abies

grandis, typical of those in which buds are resi- nous and bud scales distinct.

Right: bud

of Abies amabilis, typical of those in which the bud is enclosed by resin and bud scales are not visible.

-5-

REFERENCES

1. Bates, Carlos G.

1925. A key to the identification of some coniferous seedlings. Jour. Forestry 23: 278-281, illus.

2. Harlow, William M. , and Harrar, Ellwood S.

1950. Textbook of dendrology. Ed. 2,

55 pp. , illus. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co. , Inc.

3. Little, Elbert L. , Jr.

1953. Check list of native and naturalized trees of the United States (including Alaska). U. S. Dept. Agr. Handb. 41, 472 pp.

4. Olson, D. S.

1959. Identification of coniferous seedlings in the northern Rocky Mountains. Univ Idaho Forest, Wildlife and Range Expt. Sta. Res. Note 1 5, 4 pp. (Processed.)

5. Sudworth, George B.

I9O8. Forest trees of the Pacific slope.

441 pp. , illus. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office.

-6-

;Y TO NORTHWESTERN CONIFEROUS SEEDLINGS

(Nj I

CD

o

Cl

^ a

.a a

4-. (V4

nJ ^ - o5

'J' -B

u -

5

0)

0) d

c- o

Cl (U x!

^ ^ (U

^ cu

O -M ^

$ o «

-M u 0)

Cfi ® d

g £ ?

T) tJD

o d >->

^ <U

o

U

o

Cfi ^

0)

o x! O c: ci o

cn

° -S

^ a

S s

d

B o :t1

d <u

(U

> ^

.a, o

. <u

. u

• nJ

'-M

c a o a

d xi

0)

d IT)

cu 0

Cl ,—1

^ 3

" a;

0) CL -5

n ::3 o

a ^

o r!

X3 M ^

(u ii; -r-,

<1^ O rr-l

SC X3 ^

(U ^

0)

^ cn ^

d o d

<u u o

> X «

^ ^ 2.

O O

u o

CQ

o

Xa ^ ^ O

(D

6

CQ

>> f\j

M o d

s 1 S

+-> GC

^ 0, W3

r-l d Cfi

ctJ O 0 Cl X3 r-^ (U 0) X d 0)

0) 0

DID 0

u

o

o ^

^ ^ a

O tn CO

fli ^ S

3 :H -S >

QD a ^ O

C <U

" m S

T) J3 _

3 <U T) u

X! J3 T3 M

■>>>"’ O

S i3 'o

™ m d ^ <u ^ tn 3 in O '2

a) X t, P 'i O .

O CO CO 0>

" r. « CtJ

n 0) ►-1

CO ^ w

2 'S

m O c

>- T3 O' 0) > "j 42 nn

^ C o u

^ S -a

0) M n!

42 3 _

5 s S

£ o ‘'^

42 S

g ^ U ? >- nl _, '->

^ S 5

^ v j-i n

o ?,

5 00 ^

00 m aj "' „

C X)

'TJ CL

2) U ^ O <u in -li .S ? ^

1 s|i|

■5 “ 1 3 1

TJ u

a 2

(SJ I

<

S-:

1 § S I

-7-

long, 2. 5 to 3. 5 mm. wide; found in Cascade central Oregon southward, also in Siskiyou

I

1

a

o

O (U

cn nj CL o O

(1.

nj

d

nj

!h

0) d

^ a a o

Cfi (U

o

u

o

nj G d) G nJ

G o nj >

di CD

G -r

bJD ^

g 1 ° cfl oo G

Cfi Cfi

a G

•H C Q 0

0^0

G G h;

G u

S a

0 a

U -r, ^

G O

d

§ ^ G 0

0 X)

s t

§■ 2

0

O Cfi X ^

____ G 0^

O ' ^ dj ^ 0 G o a

G ^

^ O

O cn O

0

Cfi

w

0

0

G

0 X! U

CO

G

,: : -H

G

^ hi

GO 3

Pd S

0 O

0 CO

0 fH

h o

n) ^ G

G

0

G >,

^ Ti G

j_(

?-i

a -H

G d

0

'+H

U

"^0 0

CO

0

0

H +-> 1 — 1

CL

G CO GJD

r->

CO

cn

a

CO 0 CO

rH Vh

5 -H

O d) --G

2 - S

o

^ m

GO a;

G CO ^ G G 0 o

C Xj

U

> G G 0

G

O

CO

. G

U O 0 0 .O G

a

G G

lO

>>

a -H

O >-M

•iH

G

G G U Xj G a 0

CO CO

5 -2 'h

DJO CO

■—I 0 a

G -h

0 G

G

.G

0

1 ^ G

O *

G ^ • O G •

•h o :

G. .

S S S

XI LO ^

GJD ’

a o

vO CO

r-l 0

G G 0

GO

lO

0 > a

CO ^

GJD ^ G (V)

0 O .G

LT)

G

CO r-H ^ » § 0 ° S .2

h 0 G d G

.a H G2

o

o

X) G 0 o

CO xj

G G

.S o

Xl

o

CO

o

W W

-8-

o

^1

(U

tJ

C

o

a

o5

dJD

S 'Ti

o "i

nJ

:

■ M U

• sH X)

o •:i

.;:i

DO O ^1 DO o3 CU

s

u

O (u cn vD

<0

~ rO

^ S'

o

• o

^ a o <1^

3'

O C -rH

u 5 S

(M

^ O DO ^

O d; O 43

43 O

<U ^

^ d

^ a

^ a

C ,-M cfl

o ^ DO Cfi

4|'^l

^ ^ V/O-i

o (u 0) <^-(

U 43 «> O

4!

>^ O (t3 C

e «

DO

DO

•

H-l

G

0

r-<

'-M

G

O

0

cn

.

0

DO

d

G .

fH

G

: a

0

X3

a

0

5^

•

■*^

0

Li

0 t —

a

: a

03

CO

03

r— ^ >>

a

03

CO

0

DO

• H

a

0

• d

• 5-1

d

<13

CO

DO

• o

ccj

. (

o

G

>

5h

• (U

03

03

ccj

G

G

O

G

• V43

! o

43

5-1

G

O

u

G

o

. CDO

■ 0

-l->

43

5-1

G

03

03

5^

0

'-M

X!

G

G

• d

. ' — '

• 5-c

CO

G

O

X)

s

G

^ :

<-i-i

0 .

CO

03

• lO

r-*

•

d

B

O

. 03

0;

5-1

CO

G

4->

• CM

CO

"-M

. CL

03

d

G

•

<V

d

•

.

03

X)

. ..

. a

3=^

CO

•r-l

o

"g

. ^

-i->

ct3

03

CO

in

CO

d , — 1

G

ccJ

G

CO

r^

. G

^ d

s_i G

0

O

03

_o

d

G •

C >.

o ^

0) ro

:3 a

>> o

DO O

u

Cfi o

f-l

:3 o

cn cO

i-s'

(U

!M DO

5

■*^ -l-l

CL ^

:i ^

a 2

(U

^ >- S' o

o

u S

X <t5

^ Ci

43 cr

-M (U

DO

p3 C3 ^ nj Cti DO ^ C3

O

“ o

4 U •-

5 -p:! C3

DO O

W Cfi

oj nj

d ^

G o

•" Cfl -1-)

CO CO

o. ^

43

<13 DO <0

• G

• a

43

cfi

.DO

a S' 53

G G f-( O O

G o

X)

s s

S G

O

U

U

^ G

03

Cfi CO 03

CO ^ CO t3 O 03

53 °o

a

o

-9-

cL

a

a

' —

'

G

Cfi

• H

♦ H

G

Cfi

G

G

• rH

G

G

p

CD

G

CD

41

CD

O • 1— 1

p

CD

p

CO

bX)

CD

Pi

40

G

G

CD

G

G

CD

G

CD

O

P

CD

O

G

Cfi

G

O

£

Cfi

G

P

£

G

0

Tj

fl)

0 •

4-J •

• rH

Oh

u

<D

• H

in

o

i=!

nj

Cfi

C

nj

O

^ u

OJD

ill " cn (U

g|

<1^

^ Cfi

nj

^ U

U

4-T <D

in

s

?-i

2 S

O iH

•i-H

i-1 vO oj

xi 00

I 2

• 5-1

: ° S5

. - <D

+-> +->

. nj

; ^ O' 3,'

. ^ (U

; g o H

• o

G

£

CD

G

S

G

u

r-H

• H

bJO

CD

41*

M-i

1

0

PL|

G

Cfi

G

• rH

a

P

-M

bX)

G

o

o

m

£

o

oj

g

G

CD

Cfi

£

4->

■Gc

CD

P

CD

1

o

ro

i-H

Cfi

G

0

in 1

CM

CD

b.

<D

+->

O

>>

nj

O (u

^ cn

^ _2 <D

•S ^

o

1^ Cfi

Pi

>. O

5 u 2 w

Tj O Pi

0 O

O -S

•*' tO cx) ^

2 O

W

o

rj o Pi ™

§ u

o

Ui

W

(U

Q Q

. ^ o

; s s

: s 6

^ ? S ■

+-> , '-M

^ ^ n Pi 9

3 OJD

^ -S

Cfi Xi

Pi Pi O CU -d -*-*

Cfi

^ a o u

cu o

^ 1:^

5 §

in

nj

ril nj

O-

>< ^ O

•;:l Pi o •■-' cu

Cfi o Cfi 4->

2 -

u

■s s

S’-:

I o

- ^

rPl CD

^ nj

Cfi U

u

o ^ nj o

OJO

S S

9 o

U

Pi

. o

Cfi Tl p3 (U O

o ^ ^ U

OJD

6

(~| ro +1 P5 CU

Cfi +-*

“"'I

■p fl ^

pi Tl

^ 2 DX) ’1J . nj ^ >

CU nj

4-J -M O Cfi ccJ

. S ^

Cfi O CU

Pi ^

O “ nj

■-! Pc

G nj

S Xi

u

2 o

S

nj

-

•S

o

. XS

d CD

G ^

Cfi

S O -5 ^

O

Cfi

Cfi G <D ■'■' ^ U Cfi G

G

G 00

CD G 40 41

G O

d Cfi Cfi

G S G cu d) G CO

'n*' ^ ^ 45 ^il Cfi

2

s ■?

Pi G CD O +-> Pc

G

CD TO Pi G bX) G

-10

>-

4::

a

o

(U

4->

(U

4::

^ 05

^ ^ Cfl

^ t5 m H

^ ci

s ^ :

q; <u (u •

ofl ^ ^

•H H ^ ^

5 0 05 ^

> ^ 2 2 O “ 5

'tl ^ ^

s £ s ^

o

^ g -S “

. s . ^

a s s5

g M g ^

^ ^ 00 s

O d . <u ^ 3 o “

2^ « 2 § I 4 5" s ” ^

n» ™ w fi

g <1^ CD .5

O

'-M

o a

-M o

X) -xj

f3 O (D <U -^-> cn

. a

. CD

bJD

g

'xi '+-1

a o

D

CD

-X5 0 C o5

't:

(D :3

■g “5

O ;h o5 dj a cfl a,

0) ;:3

?> f!

CD o

.

S

o5 ^

^ O

?H

o a

„ o5

^ ^ ^ CD ■— '

'3

cr

0

Q sn P5

rj (U 05

S >■

3 ^

bJD

<+-i O

o c

CO cn *7

^ a

t3

<U

- S - .4

CD 5 ^ ^

. ^

O u o

U

riS ^

Xj (U

a "" 2

?H *=! O ,g

o5 (D ^ .

OJ 4Ci ^ T3

Q^ ^ ^ O U

o5 <u XI

CD O ^

■ a . -2

O g fvj

a

o5

•H d)

^ CD 43 4d

o5

w +-*

(D M ^

CT5 (D

a

. o5

DO ^ (O O U '"'

CO

o5 xl

CD C

• CO +j Jh

• X! P3 O

■ - 3 4-

O

a

^ r<

cog

(D t3 GO Ph ^ '■

o5

53

.0 O

rt M > C

O

r— I 05

* z ^

o5 o

^ a

43 T* <1^ (U

•<-l ^ CO

• CO 43 (D ^

CO (1) « J-i -*-* <u

!=lXl o 3 (U-'-’X

3 00

O

O ^

O ii

CD

_ P3 ^ X

O o U

S •» C

5

X .g .

CD r5 ™ ^ <X) -H

o ^

O ^

g ^ g - ^

d X ^ CO

o 2 c 2

'71 5 X

^ S ^ 2 2 CO ^

(0 ^ !> +j f-i CO

^ §

^ 1-5

w

CD

C X

o ^

CO uo

CO CO

0 g

a.

^ o5 o

CD

CD GO

CD

>

O

43 CO Cti ^ CO X o5 <U

o ^

0)

-M Q w o GO O (U <1^ (D O :3

W

CO -rH

GO !Zl C CD >

X ^ CD

Cl^ .

U

-11-

CO

CD

CO ^ X)

s

r-l

rn « -H

(U CO

!S >

•tH

CD

•H O

>

CO CO 0) (U

ccj

o u

o

u »

ccj <U

X) 5-1 C (U C^

o

<D

ccS

5m <U

CCj >

a • ri

CO 4J

^ f=!

O (u

H

.

*

^ ^ O ^ 'h X> 0X5^ ^ '^1 ^ U (D <U >

xi xl ;i3

pq « f-n

on

(Cj

CUD

d

CO

0

p3

, — 1

0

CD

o

X

si

Si

fcj

d

CUD

<+M

0

CO

CD

CO

1 ■ ^

CD

X

CD

CTj

CD

u

f1

CO

CD

5m

, — 1

CD

a

4M

pj

CD

>

o

si

X

H

u (t5 0) 5m 5m cc3 (Tj

O 5m

KJ2

nc! <U tuD

D -^l s:!

5m U tM

+J CL,

CUD (D ^ CUD CO

co'^'S

CS O CO O '~~i •'~^

•s 2 :s

CO ^ ^ ^ ^ <1^ ^ f S

.. CiC CO

o

0

• rH

4-> •

.2- a a e

CO o

xJ

od2

•H CT)

o

r— I

"o

>+M >,

0)

■5 ^

(Cj

5m

o

X) ^

0) o

ccJ O V Ui Jli

CO

, xi

5m c5 CD o Om

a <U ::s nd

ccJ ^ ,d ^

0)

^ S

O

g

41

“ O

ccj ^

CJ

<D d +->

a o

xi a;

> o o

5m ■— '

CUD 03 CO ^

xJ

ccj

f1

o

DC

CD

U

O

CD

H

^ S ^

5 CO

GJ3 d3 5m CD .H

^ jii

^ s

CO O H M

cc5 5l

+-> -H

fl d

'ii CO

O cti

a ^

XI

o > CM o .. o

00 5m O ^

m CO

§

xS CO CD CD

I ■■! I H

X5

O (u O Cl

CTj d U CD O O

i-^

CO a

CD O X! 5m X5 hm

CD

0) ^

Si .a

a ^

® ti

M-> si

CL O CD d O C

X d CD .H

X

CD

Ҥ s .

CD O ^

d o >- §

a 2 §

‘-'CUD

IT) , >^ .

^ 'd c«

0 o o g

o .s s ^

o rj <u

TI “ 0 I- -• .a X u 5 C« a <1

^ CD d

^ ^ (U MM

^ ^ J-l

^ 0) ^ ^ CO CD M-i

Pi 5m ^

O P5 ^

X ^ CO ^

^ ^ U ^ ,— t rj " mm

^ S ^ CCJ

O > n ^ ^ Cl n

u .a, p3 °

-12-

mountains from southern Oregon

southward Abies magnifica (p. 24)

Outer scales of bud not elongated and free, resinous; bud dark in color.

nJ

a

nj

U

O

CO

oJ

cn

O

•iH

<

U

...

rrt -H

(U

•

...

Xl

o

•

OX)

d

•

d

0

4-> ^

> cu

0 :S

O

O

O

0

a

^4 'iH CiO (U

CT)

cn

C

a

a

tn

CU

• fH

a

a

lO

>

+j

o

CM

u ^

u CJ

o

43

d

d

ro

0

'd rn

c;5

0

0

o

CL

<1^ X

X

c!

-t->

O

>+-i d

3

OJ

CM

...

0 43

0

X

.«

vi?

ci

U4

cti

o

00

0

a 0

cn

0

•

: S

• ^ dO

d

• I— <

d

x! Jd

cn d O O ^ cn

d

LO

cti

CL)

cn

o

d

o

X

LT)

a

d

o

cn

o

d

cn

d

.)_>

d

cn

g

ccJ

0

d

cti

cn

cn

ct5

d

0)

00

0

X

X

u

X

X

0

X

o

cn

(U

Vi

cn

H-i

• tH

d

ccJ

CU

0

cn

o

cn

0)

0)

X

"d

LO

■r-l

d

0

o

• fH

0

m

• H

O

o

o

o

-13-

INDEX TO SEEDLING DESCRIPTIONS

Page

Abies amabilis (Pacific silver fir) 16

" concolor (white fir) 18

" grandis (grand fir) 20

" lasiocarpa (subalpine fir) 22

" magnifica (California red fir) .... 24

" nnagnifica var. shastensis (Shasta

red fir) 26

" procera (noble fir) 28

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (Port-

Orford- cedar ) 30

" nootkatensis (Alaska- cedar) 32

Larix occidentalis (western larch) 34

Libocedrus decurrens (incense- cedar ) ... 36

Picea breweriana (Brewer spruce) 38

" engelrnannii (Engelmann spruce) ... 40

" sitchensis (Sitka spruce) 42

Pinus attenuata (knobcone pine) 44

" contorta (lodgepole pine) 46

" jeffreyi (Jeffrey pine) 48

" lambertiana (sugar pine) 50

" monticola (western white pine) .... 52

" ponderosa (ponderosa pine) 54

-14-

Page

Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas -fir ) .... 56

Taxus brevifolia (Pacific yew) 58

Thuja plicata (western redcedar) 60

Tsuga heterophylla (western hemlock) ... 62

" mertensiana (mountain hemlock) ... 64

-15-

PACIFIC SILVER FIR Abies amabilis (Dougl. ) Forbes

Cotyledons: Four to seven, 20 to 30 mm. long,

1. 5 to 2. 5 mm. wide; linear; tend to form an obtuse triangle in cross sec- tion; tips blunt, notched, or rounded. Spreading and horizontal. Abundantly glaucous on upper surface. Persist and remain green for several seasons,

Stem :

Length from soil to cotyledons, 20 to 35 mm.

Growth:

Epicotyl usually grows from 3 to 8 mm. in length during the first season (maximum observed, 15 mm.). Juve- nile needles linear and usually grooved on the upper surface; abun- dantly glaucous on the under surface, not above (occasional exception).

Buds globular, resin enclosed, and bud scales not visible; purple in color,

— All common and scientific names in this publication are in accordance with Little (1953).

-16-

498694

Figure 3, --Seedlings of Pacific silver fir at the end of the first growing season. (All seedling pictures in this publication are full-size repro- ductions of greenhouse-grown seedlings. The grid is 1 /2 inch square. )

-17-

WHITE FIR

Abies concolor (Gord. &; Glend. ) Hindi.

Cotyledons: Five to eight, occasionally four, 20 to

30 mm. in length, 1. 0 to 2. 0 mm. in

width; linear; tend to form an obtuse triangle in cross section; tips pointed, rounded, or rarely notched. Spread- ing and horizontal or curving slightly upward. Glaucous on upper surface. Persist and remain green for several seasons .

Stem :

Length from soil to cotyledons, 1 5 to 45 mm.

Growth:

Epicotyl usually grows from 5 to 1 0 mm. in length during the first season (maximum observed, 15 mm.). Juve- nile needles linear and grooved on the upper surface; abundantly glaucous on the under surface, less above, usually along the grooves. Buds resinous and bud scales distinct; dark in color.

-18-

!

498695

Figure 4. --Seedlings of white fir at the end of the first growing season.

-19-

GRAND FIP. Abies grandis (Dougl. ) Lindl.

Cotyledons :

Stem :

Growth:

Four to seven, usually five or six, 15 to 35 mm. long, 1. 0 to 2. 2 mm. wide; linear; tend to form an obtuse triangle in cross section; tips blunt, rounded, acute, or notched. Spreading and horizontal or curving upward. Glau- cous on upper surface. Persist and remain green for several seasons.

Length from soil to cotyledons, 20 to 50 mm.

Epicotyl usually grows from 3 to 1 0 mm. in length during the first season (maximum observed 22 mm. ). Juve- nile needles linear and slightly grooved on the upper surface; abun- dantly glaucous on the under surface, usually not above. Buds resinous and bud scales distinct; dark in color.

-20-

498696

Figure 5. - -Seedlings of grand fir at the end of the first growing season.

-21-

SUBALPINE FIR Abies lasiocarpa (Hook. ) Nutt.

Cotyledons :

Stem:

Growth:

Three to six, usually four or five, iO to 25 mm. in length, 1.0 to 2. 0 mm. in width; linear; tend to form an obtuse triangle in cross section; tips rounded, blunt, or notched. Spreading and hori- zontal or curved upward near the tips. Glaucous on upper surface. Persist and remain green for several seasons.

Length from soil to cotyledons, 1 0 to 25 mm.

Epicotyl usually grows less than 4 mm. in length during the first season (maxi- mum observed, 8 mm. ). Juvenile needles linear and usually grooved on the upper surface; abundantly glaucous on the under surface, less above, usually along the grooves. Buds resi- nous, bud scales either distinct or indistinct; dark in color.

-22-

1 ^

i : : I

t : ^

498697

Figure 6. - -Seedlings of subalpine fir at the end of the first growing season.

-23-

CALIFORNIA RED FIR Abies magnifica A. Murr.

Cotyledons: Six to thirteen, usually seven to ten,

30 to 45 mm. in length, 1 . 0 to 2. 0 mm. in width; tend to form an equilateral or obtuse triangle in cross section; tips acute or rounded. Spreading and usually curved upward. Glaucous on upper surface. Persist and remain green for several seasons.

Stem: Length from soil to cotyledon, 20 to

45 mm.

Growth: Epicotyl usually grows from 10 to 30

mm. in length during the first season (maximum observed, 45 mm. ). Juve- nile needles linear with rounded or acute tips, rather indistinctly grooved on upper surface and commonly only on needles located near the cotyledons; abundantly glaucous on both surfaces. Outer scales of bud elongated and free; light red brown in color. Cali- fornia red fir seedlings were the most vigorous of the Abies spp. examined, some even branching the first season.

-24-

498698

Figure 7. - -Seedlings of California red fir at the end of the first growing season.

-25-

JAMES C. SPACE

SHASTA RED FIR Abies magnifica var. shastensis Lemm.

Cotyledons: Five to eight, ZO to 40 mm. in length,

1.0 to Z. 0 mm. in width; tend to form an equilateral or obtuse triangle in cross section; tips rounded or acute. Spreading and horizontal or curved up- ward. Glaucous on upper surface . Per- sist and remain green for several seasons .

Stem: Length from soil to cotyledons, ZO to

40 mm.

Growth: Epicotyl usually grows from 5 to ZO

mm. in length during the first season (maximum observed, 35 mm. ). Juve- nile needles linear with rounded or acute tips, usually grooved on upper surface except on needles located near the bud; abundantly glaucous on both surfaces. Outer scales of bud elon- gated and free; light red brown in color.

-Z6-

498699

Figure 8. - -Seedlings of Shasta red fir at the end of the first growing season.

NOBLE FIR Abies procera Rehd.

Cotyledons: Four to six, rarely seven, 1 5 to 30

mm. long, 1.0 to 2.0 mm. wide ; linear; tend to form an obtuse triangle in cross section; tips rounded or acute. Spreading and horizontal or curving upward. Glaucous on upper surface. Persist and remain green for several seasons .

Stem: Length from soil to cotyledons, 1 5 to

40 mm.

Growth: Epicotyl usually grows from 5 to 20

mm. in length during the first season (maximum observed, 30 mm. ). Juve- nile needles linear with rounded, blunt, or notched tips and grooved on the upper surface, except on needles lo- cated near the bud; abundantly glaucous on the under surface and less above, especially along the groove. Outer scales of bud elongated and free; light red brown in color.

-28-

498700

Figure 9. - -Seedlings of noble fir at the end of the first growing season.

-Z9-

PORT- ORFORD- CEDAR Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (A. Murr. ) Pari.

Cotyledons :

Two, 5 to 1 0 mm, long, 1.0 to Z. 0 mm wide; linear; flat in cross section; tips blunt or rounded. Horizontal or curved upwards near the tips. Not glaucous on either surface. Persist but usually turn brown before the end of the first season.

Stem :

Length from soil to cotyledons, 9 to 22 mm.

Growth :

Epicotyl usually grows from 25 to 100 mm. in length during the first season (maximum observed 350 mm. ). Juve- nile needles linear, two glaucous lines on both surfaces. The initial whorl consists of two needles at right angles to the cotyledons. Subsequent needles are produced in whorls of four, each whorl alternating its position so, when viewed from above, it appears to bisect the right angles formed be- tween the needles of the previous whorl. Seedlings usually branch and produce mature (scalelike) foliage before the end of the first growing season.

-30-

498701

Figure 10. --Seedlings of Port- Orford- cedar at the end of the first growing season.

-31-

ALASKA- CEDAR Chamaecyparis nootkatensis (D. Don) Spach

Cotyledons :

Two, 7 to 1 1 mm. long, 1 . 5 to 2. 2 mm. wide; linear; flat in cross section; tips rounded. Spreading and horizontal or curved upward near the tips. Not glaucous on either surface. Persist and usually remain green through the first season.

Stem :

Length from soil to cotyledons, 5 to 1 5 mm.

Growth :

The epicotyl usually grows from 1 0 to 18 mm. in length during the first sea- son (maximum observed, 25 mm. ). Juvenile needles are linear, not glau- cous on either surface. The initial whorl consists of two needles at right angles to the cotyledons. Subsequent whorls consist of four needles, each whorl alternating its position so, when viewed from above, it appears to bi- sect the right angles formed between the needles of the previous whorl. Seedlings usually do not branch or produce mature (scalelike) foliage until the second or third growing sea- son.

-32-

498702

Figure 1 1 Seedlings of Alaska- cedar at the end of the first growing season.

-33-

WESTERN LARCH Larix occidentalis Nutt.

Cotyledons: Four to seven, usually five or six,

11 to 21 mm. long, 0. 4 to 1.0 mm. wide; linear; tend to form an equilat- eral triangle in cross section; acute tip. Glaucous areas scattered over upper surface. Usually persist but dead by the end of the first growing season.

Stem: Length from soil to cotyledons, 5 to

1 8 mm.

Growth: Epicotyl usually grows from 25 to 55

mm. in length during the first season (maximum observed, 85 mm. ). Juve- nile needles linear, tips acute with a tiny bristle; scattering of glaucous areas on the under surface; midvein appears dark when held to the light while the remainder of the needle is translucent. Epicotyl on larger seed- lings presents a unique appearance, being light in color with dark strips extending from the base of needles vertically downward along portions of its length.

-34-

498703

Figure 12. --Seedlings of western larch at the end of the first growing season.

-35-

INCENSE-CEDAR Libocedrus decurrens Torr.

Cotyledons: Two,-'" 18 to 30 mm. long, 2. 5 to 3. 5

mm. wide; linear; flat in cross section tips rounded. Horizontal and spread- ing. Glaucous on upper surface. Per- sist but usually turn brown or purple by the end of the first growing season.

Stem; Length from soil to cotyledons, 1 5 to 40 mm.

Growth: Epicotyl usually grows from 25 to 60

mm. in length during the first growing season (maximum observed, 80 mm. ). Juvenile needles linear; usually glau- cous on both surfaces. The first whorl consists of two needles which are at right angles to the cotyledons, and succeeding whorls contain four needles. Seedlings usually branch and produce mature (scalelike) foliage be- fore the end of the first growing sea- son.

— ' Harlow and Harrar (1950) report that incense-cedar may oc- casionally have three cotyledons.

-36-

i

498704

Figure 13. --Seedling of incense-cedar at the end of the first growing season.

-37-

BREWER SPRUCE Picea breweriana S. Wats.

Cotyledons: Four to seven, 11 to 21 mm. long, 0.5

to 1 . 0 mm. wide; needlelike; tend to form an equilateral triangle in cross section; tips acute to acuminate. Usu- ally curved upward to almost a verti- cal position. Abundantly glaucous on upper surface. Persist and remain green during the first season.

Stem: Length from soil to cotyledon, 6 to

1 8 mm.

Growth: Epicotyl usually grows less than 6 mm.

in length during the first season (max- imum observed, 15 mm.). Juvenile needles needlelike with acute or acuminate tips; two glaucous lines present on upper surface.

-38-

A

498705

Figure 1 4. - -Seedlings of Brewer spruce at the end of the first growing season.

-39-

ENGELMANN SPRUCE Picea engelmannii Parry

Cotyledons :

Four to eight; 6 to 1 3 mm. long, 0. 3 to 0. 6 mm. wide; needlelike; tend to form an equilateral triangle in cross section; acuminate tip. Glaucous on upper surfaces, maybe glaucous on lower surfaces. Persist and remain green during the first season. Fre- quently twisted and drawn toward top of seedling.

Stem :

Length from soil to cotyledons, 8 to 1 8 mm.

Growth:

Epicotyl usually grows from 2 to 5 mm in length (maximum observed, 18 mm. during the first season. Juvenile needles needlelike with acuminate tips; glaucous on both surfaces.

-40-

Figure 15. - -Seedlings of Engelmann spruce at the end of the first growing season.

41

SITKA SPRUCE Picea sitchensis (Bong. ) Carr.

Cotyledons: Four to six, 6 to 1 1 mm. long, 0. 3 to

0. 6 mm. wide; needlelike; tend to form an equilateral triangle in cross section; tips acute. Glaucous on upper surfaces. Usually persist and remain green during the first season. May be either twisted and drawn toward the top of the seedling or horizontal and spreading.

Stem: Length from soil to cotyledons, 7 to

1 5 mm .

Growth: Epicotyl usually grows from 3 to 9 mm.

in length during the first*season (max- imum observed, 18 mm. ). Juvenile needles are needlelike with acute or acuminate tips; glaucous on the under surface .

-4Z-

Figure 16. - -Seedlings of Sitka spruce at the end of the first growing season.

43

KNOBCONE PINE Pinus attenuata Lemm.

Cotyledons :

Stem :

Growth:

Five to eight, 20 to 35 mm. long; tend to form an isosceles triangle in cross section, the base 0. 4 to 0. 6 mm. and the sides 0. 7 to 0. 9 mm. ; needlelike; acuminate tip. Horizontal and spread- ing, occasionally twisted. Glaucous on all surfaces. Persist but dead by the end of the first season.

Length from soil to cotyledons, 20 to 35 mm.

Epicotyl usually grows from 20 to 35 mm. in length during the first season (maximum observed, 40 mm. ). Juve- nile needles flat and taper to an acute or acuminate tip; glaucous on both surfaces; serrulate margins , Seed- lings do not produce mature (fascicled) foliage during the first growing season.

-44-

498708

Figure 17. - -Seedling of knobcone pine at the end of the first growing season.

-45-

LODGEPOLE PINE Pinus contorta Dougl.

Cotyledons :

Three to seven, usually four, 1 6 to 30 mm. long; tend to form an isosceles triangle in cross section, the base 0.4 to 0.5 mm, and the sides 0. 4 to 0. 6 mm. ; needlelike; acuminate tip. Horizontal and spreading. Glaucous on upper (lateral) surfaces.-^ May

persist, but dead by the end of the first growing season. May be of un- equal lengths.

Stem:

Length from soil to cotyledons, 1 0 to 25 mm.

Growth:

Epicotyl usually grows from 20 to 40 mm. in length during the first season (maximum observed, 60 mm. ) on seedlings grown from coastal seed sources (greenhouse only) or from 5 to 1 0 mm. in length (maximum ob- served, 17 mm.) on seedlings grown from mountain seed sources. Juve- nile needles flat and generally linear with an acute tip; glaucous on both surfaces; serrulate margins. A few vigorous seedlings (coastal seed source) produced mature (fascicled) foliage the first season.

— Olson (I959) reports cotyledons as glabrous, i. e. , not glau- cous .

-46-

49S709

Figure 18. --Seedlings of lodgepole pine at the end of the first growing season.

-47-

JEFFREY PINE Pinus Jeffrey! Grev. & Balf.

Cotyledons :

Seven to thirteen, 40 to 80 mm. in length; form an isosceles triangle in cross section, the base 0. 4 to 0. 9 mm. and the sides 0. 9 to 1 . 5 mm. ; needlelike; acuminate tip. Twisted over one or several times. Glaucous on upper (lateral) surfaces. Persist but dead by the end of the first grow- ing season. Few serrations maybe visible along midrib near base.

Stem:

Length from soil to cotyledons, 25 to 40 mm.

Growth:

Epicotyl usually grows from 30 to 60 mm. in length during the first season (maximum observed, 150 mm.). Juvenile needles flat and taper to an acute or acuminate tip; glaucous on both surfaces; serrulate margins. Seedlings do not produce mature (fascicled) foliage until the second season.

-48-

498712

Figure 19. - -Seedling of Jeffrey pine at the end of the first growing season.

-49-

SUGAR PINE Pinus lambertiana Dougl.

Cotyledons: Eleven to seventeen, 30 to 65 mm.

long; form an isosceles triangle in cross section, the base 0. 4 to 0. 8 mm. and the sides 1 . 2 to 2.0 mm. ; needle- like; acuminate tip. Curved upward and/or twisted over one or several times, exposing one or both sides and the base of the cotyledon. Stomata present on the upper (lateral) surfaces, but glaucous areas not usually appar- ent. Persist and usually remain alive during the first season; however, often do not retain a healthy appearance.

May have serrations along margins and midribs near base.

Stem; Length from soil to cotyledons, 20 to 50 mm.

Growth; Epicotyl usually grows from 10 to 50 mm. in length during the first season (maximum observed, 125 mm. ). Juvenile needles flat with an acuminate tip; scattering of glaucous areas pres- ent on upper surface; margins serru- late, very lightly so on vigorous seed- lings. Seedlings usually do not pro- duce mature (fascicled) foliage until the second season.

-50-

498713

Figure 20. - -Seedling of sugar pine at the end of the first growing season.

-51-

WESTERN WHITE PINE Pinus monticola Dougl.

Cotyledons: Six to ten, usually seven or eight, 16

to 30 mm. long; form an isosceles triangle in cross section, the base 0. 4 to 0. 7 mm. and the sides 0. 5 to 1.0 mm. ; needlelike; acuminate tip. Curved upward or twisted sideward producing pinwheel effect. Glaucous on upper (lateral) surfaces. Persist and usually remain green through first season. May have serrations along midribs and margins near base.

Stem: Length from soil to cotyledons, 1 6 to

30 mm.

Growth: Epicotyl usually grows from 10 to 25

mm. in length during the first season (maximum observed, 35 mm. ). Juve- nile needles flat and taper to an acute tip; glaucous condition usually visible on both surfaces; serrulate margins. Vigorous seedlings may produce mature (fascicled) foliage the first season.

-52-

498715

Figure 21 . --Seedlings of western white pine at the end of the first growing season. (This photo is slightly less than full scale. )

-53-

PONDEROSA PINE Pinus ponderosa Laws.

Cotyledons :

Six to twelve,-^ 25 to 60 mm. long; form an isosceles triangle in cross section, the base 0. 2 to 0. 5 mm. and the sides 0. 4 to 1.0 mm. ; needlelike; acuminate tip. Usually twisted one or more times. Glaucous upper (lateral) surfaces.—^ Usually persist but dead by the end of the first season. May be few serrations on midrib near the base.

Stem :

Length from soil to cotyledons, 1 5 to 40 mm.

Growth:

Epicotyl usually grows from 1 0 to 40 mm. in length during the first season (maximum observed, 60 mm.). Juve- nile needles flat and taper to an acute or acuminate tip; glaucous on both surfaces; serrulate margins. Seed- lings usually do not produce mature (fascicled) foliage until the second season.

— Sudworth (1908) reports cotyledons numbering five to nine and Bates (1925) reports five to eight.

— Olson (1959) reports cotyledons as being glabrous, i.e. , not glaucous.

-54-

Figure 22. - -Seedling of ponderosa pine at the end of the first growing season.

-55-

DOUGLAS- FIR Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb. ) Franco

Cotyledons ;

Five to eight, occasionally four, nine, or ten, 10 to 25 mm. long, 0. 7 to 1. 2 mm. wide; linear; tend to form an obtuse or equilateral triangle in cross section; tip acute. Spreading and horizontal or curving either slightly downward or upward. Some glaucous areas on upper surface. Persist and usually remain green through first year.

Stem :

Length from soil to cotyledons, 1 5 to 35 mm.

Growth:

Epicotyl usually grows from 5 to 25 mm. in length during the first season (maximum observed, 8 5 mm. ). Juve- nile needles linear with acute tips and a tiny bristle; two glaucous bands on the underside. Buds sharply pointed, red in color.

-56-

498718

Figure 23. - -Seedlings of Douglas-fir at the end of the first growing season.

-57-

PACIFIC YEW Taxus brevifolia Nutt.

Cotyledons: Two, 1 2 to 22 mm. in length, 1 . 5 to

2. 0 mm. in width; linear; flat in cross section; taper near the ends to a rounded tip. Spreading and horizontal or curved downward; commonly curved laterally toward each other (see fig. 24). Not glaucous on either surface. Usually persist and may re- main green for several seasons.

Stem: Length from soil to cotyledons, 1 5 to

25 mm.

Growth: Epicotyl usually grows from 2 to 1 0

mm. in length during the first season (maximum observed, 15 mm. ). Juve- nile needles generally linear, taper- ing to an acute tip with a tiny bristle; not glaucous on either surface.

i

I

498719

Figure 24. - -Seedlings of Pacific yew at the end of the first growing season.

59

WESTERN REDCEDAR Thuja plicata Bonn

Cotyledons :

Stem:

Growth:

Two, rarely three, 5 to 10 mm. long, 1.0 to 2.0 mm. wide; linear; flat in cross section; blunt or rounded tips. Horizontal and spreading, sometimes curving upwards on ends. Not glau- cous on either surface. Persist but may be dead by the end of the first season.

Length from soil to cotyledons, 6 to 1 6 mm.

Epicotyl usually grows from 1 0 to 40 mm. in length during the first grow- ing season (maximum observed, 90 mm. ). Juvenile needles linear with two glaucous bands on the under sur- face. The initial whorl consists of two needles at right angles to the cotyledons. Subsequent needles are produced in whorls of four, each whorl alternating its position so, when viewed from above, it appears to bisect the right angles formed between the needles of the previous whorl. Vigorous seed- lings may branch and produce mature (scalelike) foliage during the first season.

-60-

498720

Figure 25. --Seedlings of western redcedar at the end of the first growing season.

-61-

WESTERN HEMLOCK Tsuga heterophylla (Raf. ) Sarg.

Cotyledons :

Three, occasionally four, or rarely two , - 4 to 8 mm . long , 0 . 7 to 1 . 3

mm. wide; linear; flattened or slightly triangular in cross section; tips blunt or rounded. Horizontal and spread- ing. Glaucous areas may be visible on the upper surface.- May persist and remain green during first growing season. Stomata tend to be white and linear, resembling short white hairs.

Stem :

Length from soil to cotyledons, 6 to 1 5 mm. , usually less than 0. 8 mm. in diameter.

Growth:

Epicotyl usually grows from 4 to 1 0 mm. in length during the first grow- ing season (maximum observed, 15 mm. ). Juvenile needles linear with glaucous under surface; very lightly serrulate. Needles are usually pro- duced in whorls of three, alternating in such a manner that, when viewed from above, each whorl appears to bisect the angles formed by the pre- vious whorl, producing a symmetrical appearance .

Sudworth (1908) reports five cotyledons.

9 /

— Olson (1959) reports the upper surface as glossy, i. e. , not glaucous.

-62-

498721

Figure 26. --Seedlings of western hemlock at the end of the first growing season.

-63-

MOUNTAIN HEMLOCK Tsuga mertensiana (Bong. ) Carr.

Cotyledons: Three to five, rarely six, 4 to 8 mm.

long, 0.7 to 1.1 mm. wide; linear; flattened or slightly triangular in cross section; tips rounded or blunt. Hori- zontal and spreading. Scattered glau- cous areas may be visible on upper surface. Stomata tend to be white and rounded. May persist and remain green during the first season.

Stem; Length from soil to cotyledons, 6 to

12 mm. , usually greater than 0. 8 mm. in diameter.

Growth: Epicotyl usually grows less than 3 mm.

in length during the first growing sea- son (maximum observed, 12 mm,). Juvenile needles linear, with glaucous under surface; very lightly serrulate.

-64-

Figure 27. - -Seedlings of mountain hemlock at th end of the first growing season.

GPO 996498

-65-

NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL LIBRARY

022403788

I ncnes