Historic, archived document Do not assume content reflects current scientific knowledge, policies, or practices. Washington, D. C. February 21, 1925 _ FOREST PLANTING IN THE INTERMOUNTAIN REGION : ~By C. F. KORSTIAN, Associate Silviculturist, Appalachian Forest Experiment Station, and F. S. BAKER, Forest Examiner, Forest Service Nursery Practice . . Nursery Operations Protection from Diseases and Injuries Distribution of Planting Stock Field Planting Planting Sites and Native a Types Methods of Planting Number of Plants per Acre Results of Field Planting Causes of Loss and Failure and Methods of Prevention Planting Costs WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1925 epee Washington, D. C. i February 21, 1925 ; FOREST PLANTING IN THE INTERMOUNTAIN REGION By C. F. Korstian, Associate Silviculturist, Appalachian Forest Experiment Station, and F. 8. Baxsr, Forest Examiner, Forest Service. CONTENTS. Page. Page, troduchionts 2424. 22st o2 oasis ris eh SS 1 | Field planting—Continued.| Seedicollection® = sta So ate Ne a 2 Number of plants per acre_.____-___-___-- 12 Nereldtrommecones. =. ks 22 ae SE eee 3 Results of field planting___ ____=_________ 13 CGSEOLSRE ee Ser Bee eg WG ye ayn a 3 Causes of loss and failure and methods of INGTSeGy Drachl cen: =- 2) soe SB 4 PREVENTION == eee en 3¢ INgirseryroperations 322 At i te ae ye 5 iRblantingcostse) a2 se fee ea 45 Protection from diseases and injuries ____ 6 | Future of artificial forestation in Intermoun- Distribution of planting stock __________- 9 COMM SECO Meee hes 2 eS hae ee REE INE Nore 45 TOTELG To} achat ee ee yee eae a ae LT gee pe Bel LO oS Uma AR Yes ee Te yore Le Shae ee eee 47 Planting sites and native timber types_- TO ATM Den Gixs 2-52. toe Ae ee els Sioa toes 49 Methods of plantings: 2-52 225! 5522 1 Sieh teratureicited = 22s Sees ee eee eee 56 INTRODUCTION. The “intermountain region’ is a term used ‘to include the great expanse of country lying between the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Rocky Mountains proper, bounded on the north by the Salmon River and on the south by the Colorado River, and situated mainly in the Great Basin and the Snake River watershed. This territory 1s prevailingly arid, but upon the higher mountain ranges occur extensive timbered areas the bulk of which are now included within the boundaries of national forests. There are also within these boundaries many large tracts of potential forest land now bearing no commercial tree growth, whose highest value can never be attained until they are made to produce timber. This has been recognized by the Forest Service, and plantations and seedings have been made to test methods and costs. Direct seeding was unsuccessful and was soon abandoned as a method, but plantations of trees started in nurseries proved conclusively that this method can be used to reforest denuded lands in this region. Planting work has been discontinued here, however, in view of the opportunity to secure better results, both in survival and growth, in other regions where the reforestation of national forest lands is of equal or greater importance. The results have shown many of the possibilities as well as the difficulties of planting in the mountains of an arid region and indi- 91913°—25—1 1 2 BULLETIN 1264, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. cate the procedure that should be followed to secure the best re- sults. The forestation problems peculiar to this region exist rather in field planting than in the propagation of nursery stock. The artificial conditions found in the nursery bed are essentially uniform the country over, and the accepted methods are fairly well standard- ized and are generally applicable (7, 8, 9)... Under the natural con- ditions of field planting, the intermountain region presents more spa problems due to peculiarities of this particular region. For this reason, this bulletin will treat field planting more extensively than the preceding operations of seed collection and nursery practice. However, certain deviations from usual practice and certain unusual difficulties experienced in this particular region, even in the artificial growing of the nursery stock, must be considered. SEED COLLECTION. Forest planting must necessarily begin with the collection of the seed. In this region seed collecting has been confined almost entirely to squirrel caches, because logging operations have never been large enough to make the usual method of collecting seed from felled trees economical. Collecting from squirrel caches is cheaper than any other method tried (Pl. I) and can be done after the cones on the trees have shed the seed; and seed obtained in this manner usually has a high germination percentage. Seed of western yellow pine (Pinus ponderosa and P. ponderosa scopulorum), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga taxifolia), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmanni), and blue spruce (Picea parryana) has been collected by this method at various times and in quantities ranging from a few pounds up to as high as 6,000 pounds in a single operation. The exact time of the ripening of the cones depends somewhat on the species, the season, and the locality. By September 15 to 20 the squirrel caches are usually fairly well filled, and the gathering of cones should begin about that time. If delayed to a much later date, snow and cold weather may make the work disagreeable and ex- pensive. It is not difficult to locate the caches, which are usually found in some moist place under rotten logs or stumps, or under brush, and usually close to groups of good seed trees. An average of 4 to 5 bushels of cones may be collected from one cache in good seed years, while as high as 15 bushels have been taken. The cones should be collected in sacks, including as little litter as possible, and at the close of each day’s work the sacks should be taken to some central point where the drying can be started without delay. Since the collection of the cones can not usually be started until September 15 or later, the time for outdoor drying is short before in- clement weather sets in throughout the intermountain region. It is therefore necessary to start the drying as soon as the first lot of cones is obtained. No special means of extraction is necessary with any of the species used in this region. Solar drying is the rule (PI. II, fig. 1), although artificial heat is sometimes necessary with lodgepole pine. 1 Jtalic numera\s in parentheses refer to ‘‘Literature Cited’’ page 56. PLATE | Bulletin 1264, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture F-20678A BiG COTTON- UTAH COLLECTING SPRUCE CONES FROM A SQUIRREL CACHE. WASATCH NATIONAL FOREST, WOOD CANYON, Bulletin 1264, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture PLATE !1 F-12953A Fic. 1.—DRYING WESTERN YELLOW PINE CONES IN THE SUN ON CANVAS SHEETS. LA SAL NATIONAL FOREST, UTAH F-83986 FIG. 2.—OPENING OF TRENCH IN TRANSPLANTING DOUGLAS FIR SEED- LINGS. IN THE FOREGROUND THE SLOPE OF THE TREES RESULTING FROM TRANSPLANTING MAY BE SEEN. COTTONWOOD NURSERY, UTAH FOREST PLANTING IN THE INTERMOUNTAIN REGION. 5 When thoroughly dry, the seeds are removed from the cones by various methods, such as raking the cones, flailing them, or putting them through a cone shaker. YIELD FROM CONES. Taking into consideration the principal collecting operations in the intermountain region, the minimum, maximum, and aver age yields of seed per bushel of cones for the various species are given in 1 Table 1. TaBLE 1.—Minimum, maximum, and average yields of seed per bushel of cones, Utah and Idaho. : lsviineicntuir) Ca wees Species. | Minimum Ma mum | A verage yield yield. eas yield. i ata Rac | Pounds. | Pounds. | Pounds BieSterneyOHoweaine saeeee ee he Ate Ee eee aA ENT TS ee 0. 75 2. 00 | 1. 32 LOVERS OA eS eee OS ee eS ee ee ee en ee ee Ree . 36 1. 33 . 76 SPREE DENT eNTI TALS FOV TCG es mas re a eS ag ae ee . 40 1. 00 . 50 Bincispeneem ss eee tel hy See ge aah SU Paste. ft) iD Te25 i. 00 SPURS Gov O's ey ge ee ee ee eee . 34 1.00 | | . 4 The smallest, largest, and average number of seeds per pound, which were obtained from a large number of ene collected in 1911, 1914, and 1915, are given by species in Table 2 TABLE 2.—The smallest, largest, and average number of seeds per pound obtained from samples collected in Utah and Idaho in 1911, 1914, and 1915. Smailest | Largest Average Species. number number number of seeds. of seeds. of seeds. Wiestermevellow pine: (ldaho) = =e ee ee 8, 280 12, 240 9, 707 RMrcsneniayveliow. pine CU) Gall) sae et ee A Ee 13, 000 19, 063 15, 955 LP NTRS TPE 2 CP ee eS ee eae tee ered ana eae Ree eee 23, 720 48, 695 34, 002 EE OIC SL Cement ats ore att ee ee ee 76, 632 115, 132 &1, 560 LED ET POMP TEG RS OTr Co LD BRT Bae Shy es SA og mee Oe ee Ok Oe ee ae 69, 000 135, 082 80, 500 135 Tie SPORE Dc Re BS SS ae ree See eee ete Se 80, 000 85, 000 83, 750 COST OF SEED. The cost of collecting seed depends on so many factors, such as the abundance of cones, locality, cost of labor, and size of operation, that it is difficult to give a reliable cost figure. The minimum, maximum, and average cost figures for some of the principal operations in this region are given in Table 3. TaBLE 3.—Minimum, maximum, and average cost of clean seed per pound, Utah and Idaho. Zen Minimum , Maximum) Average SESeS: cost. cost. cost ig LA pe en Na GE Ag De Jp 4 EAE A EL Do Meat lee earl att of aloe Mie 2 | $0. = | a = $0. 4 THIRST Sere ee See cate tat eens ees soe ene see eee es aS . 69 : 9 BRP CRTTETNSDEUCC. on 5 ae ee oe ee oe a eee 1. 65 5: 52 7A 19 oo) oS is pee ee ie RE 2 Sebo eee eee eee i 2. ie A ie i. od e The high cost per pound of lodgepole pine seed is due to the low yield at the difficulty in extracting the seed, artificial heat fre- quently being necessary to open the cones. 4. BULLETIN 1264, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. NURSERY PRACTICE. The beginning of successful forest planting lies in the nursery practice. Because the production of nursery stock is not an end in itself but merely a means to an end, the fundamental principles of ordinary nursery practice were sometimes overlooked in the earlier attempts at forest planting in this region. Cheapness of production rather than the quality of stock was frequently the objective. Like- wise, the size and vigor of the top rather than root development was too often the criterion by which the quality of the planting stock was judged. In the arid intermountain region, where the young tree is taxed to the utmost to establish itself after planting under relatively adverse climatic conditions, such standards can only result most disastrously. In addition to the small ranger nurseries which were in operation during the earlier planting work in the intermountain region, three large nurseries were established and were in operation for a number of years—the Cottonwood and the Beaver Creek Nurseries on the Wasatch National Forest, and the Pocatello Nursery on the Cache National Forest. The Cottonwood Nursery had been in operation 14 years when it was decided to curtail planting work in the region, temporarily at least, on account of the relatively high cost of plant- ing and the relatively adverse climatic conditions. The deficiencies of these nurseries for the growing of forest trees are not unusual, but are worthy of brief notice to aid in the selection of better sites in the future whenever planting in the intermountain region may be resumed. The Cottonwood Nursery had an excellent soil but was operated under unfavorable climatic conditions. It was situated in the bottom of a broad canyon in the natural Douglas-fir zone. Snow fell to a depth of from 6 to 8 feet and sometimes lasted as late as May 25. Frosts were frequent throughout June, and “snow smothering”? and frost injury were frequent. larly digging of the nursery stock was also difficult, and western yellow pine in par- ticular could not be supplied so early as needed for planting. The nearest shipping point was 15 miles distant and hauling charges added $0.75 to $1 a thousand to the cost of the stock. The Pocatello Nursery was located on a south slope in the juniper zone. It enjoyed relative immunity from ‘‘snow smothering” and frost injury. The shipping point, Pocatello, could be reached easily - in early spring; but the soil of the nursery was a heavy clay loam, which was not only physically unsuited to conifers but also so con- stituted chemically that it induced chlorosis. The Beaver Creek Nursery also had a heavy clay soil with a tend- ency to bake when dry. Snow conditions were intermediate be- tween the Cottonwood and Pocatello Nurseries, for the ground was usually bare by April 15, and neither snow molding nor frost injury was so bad as at the Cottonwood Nursery. It was located 23 miles from the nearest shipping point, however, in a region of poor roads, especially during the spring shipping season. All were remote from sources of supply. Any future nursery site in this region should be in the general locality where most of the planting work will be concentrated and within a few miles of a good shipping point and source of supply. it should have an elevation of approximately 6,000 feet, where the “3 FOREST PLANTING IN THE INTERMOUNTAIN REGION, 5 snowfall is not excessive, and should be as nearly free from unusual frosts as possible. The soil should be a rich, moderately light sandy loam, free from coarse gravel and rock. The arable area would naturally depend on the amount of stock to be grown and the methods used. With the intensive methods in practice in the past, approx- imately 5 acres would be required for an annual output of 1,000,000 2-1 transplants. An ample water supply is essential. NURSERY CPERATIONS. The nursery practice at these nurseries indicates that standard methods will apply as well-in this region as in the more humid localities where they were originated. The dryness of the air neces- sitates more watering and greater care and rapidity of work in all processes of transplanting, packing, etc., which involve exposure of roots to the air. Germination of seed with thorough watering is about as found elsewhere, averaging as follows: Species Germination period Hacelmannispruceia.serociiyt hin earet_orft _F 21 to 28 days. INO@RW ay STUCCR prepa ng ope ey A per pe Le, 21 to 28 days. Ge SOnuCe fe Sb eo ge eg oe er rey: ee 21 to 28 days. GSA DOIG Pine «Mie ee a ee ee 25 to 30 days. Western-yellow pmeCUtah) 2° v2 oes JOR sis 25 to 30 days. Western yellow pine (Idaho) __-__2_-2___-_____-- 25 to 45 days. Woned ascitic Af ae acerl = fe. bee, ne ef SE 25 to 45 days. After germination the seedbeds require careful watering to keep the developing seedlings from drying and to bring on the germination of lagging seeds. Even in this dry region it is inadvisable to try to force the last seeds to germinate as it is likely to bring about losses from ‘‘damping off”. Established seedlings require a thorough watering but once in 8 to 10 days. After August 1 all water is with- held to insure proper hardening before frosts occur. The degree of shade is a matter that has to be determined for each site, and accordingly little can be said on that point for future guid- ance. It is worth knowing, however, that lodgepole pine and western yellow pine were grown successfully at the Cottonwood Nursery without any shade. Douglas fir and all of the spruces required shade during the first season and throve better when shaded during the second and third seasons. Experiments for the purpose of determining the optimum amount of shade for Engelmann spruce and Douglas fir gave results indicating that for the former species 50 per cent or possibly 75 per cent is optimum and half shade is suf- ficient for the latter. First year seed beds were shaded from the time germination began; or if the weather was excessively hot, from the time the seed was sown until cool weather set in about September 1. In earlier years shade was furnished by means of a woven 4-foot wire and lath fencing, supported on a permanent framework by posts 8 feet above the ground. However, in 1919, the greater portion of the frame- work was torn down and replaced by low diitle frames. The most satisfactory method of shading tried at the Cottonwood Nursery was a rolled 4-foot lath fencing of any desired length, supported by stakes 8 to 12 inches above the bed, on which were nailed 2 by 2 inch scantlings. The shades were placed in position and also re- moved by rolling them along on top of the scantlings, being very readily shifted at small expense. 6 BULLETIN 1264, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. The open-trench method of transplanting was used very success- fully. (Pl. LU, fig. 2.) The object of transplanting is the production of planting stock which is most likely to survive in field planting, especially on adverse sites. Its principal effect is to retard height erowth and to stimulate the devale ment of the finer lateral feeding rootlets. (Figs. 3,4,5,and 6.) Such transplant stock is much more suitable for planting on adverse sites than seedling stock. Since con- ditions are relatively unfavorable on many of the planting sites in the intermountain region, it is evident that transplant stock must be used on the majority of such sites. Where heavy snows lie leng, as at the Cottonwood Nursery, winter mulching proves more of a detriment than a benefit. Mulch- ing was given a thorough trial during the early years with hay, straw, and leaves; but the results were very see tee Bra because the loss from snow moiding in winter and early spring was thereby greatly increased. PROTECTION FROM DISEASES AND INJURIES. As already noted, the three old nurseries of this region were dis- advantageously located in some respects. Some of the difficulties and injuries that had to be contended with were the direct results of the locations and would not assume very much importance in a better natural site. Other difficulties due to the dry air and intense sun- light are inherent in the climate and will always have to be guarded against. On the other hand, these factors minimize certain dangers that elsewhere are of great importance. For example, all of the coniferous species grown at the nurseries in this region are subject to damping-off, which, however, has never been of sufficient severity to warrant the use of the acid treatment that is being generally used in other regions(6). The nursery practice in this region has indicated that in this semiarid climate damping-off can be minimized by sowing seed of good quality about June 10, when an abundance of sunlight and daily light watering assure prompt and vigorous germination. During the period in which the seedlings are susceptible to this dis- ease, Just enough water is applied to keep them from suffering from drought. When excessive rainfall occurs during the critical period it is necessary to remove the shade frames to let in as much sun and air as possible. ‘ Stem girdle, on the other hand, is a nursery injury which the climatic characteristics tend to accentuate rather than to relieve. Prior to 1918 this disease was one of the chief causes of loss to spruce transplant stock. The side of the trench against which the trees were transplanted was supposed to be perpendicular; but, as a matter of fact, it always had a slight slope, depending on the direction in which the trench was opened. Since all rows run east and west, the slope of the transplanted trees of necessity had to be either to the north or south. During 1916 and 1917 a large number of both Engelmann spruce and Norway spruce (Picea excelsa) were trans- planted, about half leaning to the north and the other half to the south. It was later found that on all beds where the trees leaned to the north the loss was approximately 25 per cent greater than among those leaning to the south. This abnormal loss on trees leaning to the north was found to be due to stem girdle caused by excessive heating of the surrounding surface soil(4). Trees leaning toward the south shaded the soil surrounding the base by their own g aN FOREST PLANTING IN THE INTERMOUNTAIN REGION. 7 tops, consequently the disease was not present among such trees. ‘This conclusion was later verified by a series of experiments. Since the cause of the trouble first became known, all transplants have been given a slight slope to the south, and only normal losses have occurred, generally not to exceed 8 per cent. Other troubles such as snow molding, frost injury, and chlorosis were due primarily to local peculiarities of the nursery site. Snow molding has been a problem in high-altitude nurseries for a long time in both Europe and America. If impossible to dispense with nurseries in such situations, a method developed at the Gdivemood Nursery can be used. ‘Two logs at least 6 inches through are placed on each side of the bed, across which planks are laid so that they hold up the snow (2). Chlorosis, or “‘yellowing’”’ was the most serious problem encoun- tered in the successful production of nursery stock of all the coniferous species raised at the Pocatello Nursery. With chlorosis were asso- ciated poor growth of roots, stems, and leaves, failure to form normal ¢ Fic. 1.—Douglas fir transplants (8-2), the tops of which were severely injured by a late spring frost. Cottonwood Nursery, Utah. terminal buds, and susceptibility to winter injury. Chlorosis was definitely corrected at the Pocatello Nursery by spraying with ferrous soeae at 10-day intervals(5). A 1 per cent solution in amounts sufficient to wet the tops thoroughly proved the most satisfactory treatment, as stronger solutions ultimately caused chemical injury to practically all of the seedlings. The soils on which the conifers were decidedly chlorotic contained considerable amounts of car- bonate, while the water at the Pocatello Nursery contained much calcium bicarbonate. This leads to the conclusion that the chlorosis was due chiefly to a lack of dissolved iron in the water of certain calcareous soils. Such a condition is probably infrequent but should call for caution in locating nurseries on such soils. Frost damage and freezing are factors that have to be dealt with everywhere. ‘These were exceptionally difficult to cope with at the Cottonwood and Beaver ids nurseries, on account of their high elevation. At lower altitudes the danger is less, but in the case of Douglas fir the losses may be heavy. (Figs. 1 and 2.) Late spring 8 BULLETIN 1264, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. frosts are typical of the whole Rocky Mountain region and eare must always be exercised to prevent excessive frost injury. The best means is to retard spring development as much as possible by the use of shade frames as soon as he buds begin to swell. This pro- longs the period of hardiness. Nevertheless, very late severe freezes are not area and hay and straw must be kept on hand to mulch the beds deeply in such contingencies(3). Seed-eating rodents, including several species of mice, chipmunks, and ground squirrels, are a source of nursery losses of considerable magnitude throughout the West. The white-footed mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus artemi) is the most common of the wild mice and doubtless the most destructive, being active throughout the year. It frequently invades buildings, doing considerable damage to stored forest-tree seed and grain. It will even dig up the newly-sown seed beds at night. The jumping mouse (Zapus princeps) is widely distributed, but the number found in any : S XN Fic. 2.—Douglas fir transplants (3-2) protected from late spring frost by a mulch of timothy hay applied just prior to the occurrence of the frost, but the tops were injured by a previous spring frost. Cotton- wood Nursery, Utah. one place is not large and the damage is less extensive, although not negligible. Several species of meadow mice (Microtus) are found in fields and meadows, where they have regular runways. They are active throughout the year and under cover of the snow cut small seedlings. Chipmunks (Futamias) are particularly troublesome, devouring and storing away considerable quantities of forest-tree seed. Ground squirrels (Citellus) are also destructive in eating off the newly germinated seedlings. Pocket gophers (Thomomys) exca- vate tunnels under the beds, depositing the excavated soil in mounds over the beds, and in winter destroy both seedlings and transplants. The practice of screening against rodents was not considered prac- ticable at the nurseries. The nursery grounds were thoroughly cleaned up, brush and tall weeds close to the seed-bed area were cut and burned, and piles of rubbish, lumber, and rocks moved away. In this way, many nests and hiding places were destroyed. Then by a systematic campaign of trapping and poisoning carried on at the FOREST PLANTING IN THE INTERMOUNTAIN REGION. 9 same time, they were soon so reduced in number that only a mini- mum of damage occurred. Poisoned baits recommended by the United States Biological Survey were frequently used. Grasshoppers thrive best in semiarid regions and do most damage during several successive dry years. They do not prefer conifers, but eat both the leaves and young bark of nursery stock when other green foods are no longer available. At such times they may become SO serious a menace as to require control measures. At the Pocatello Nursery these insects for two seasons required intensive control, which was undertaken during the early wingless period of the grass- hopper’s life, as the young ones are more susceptible to poisoning and are less nomadic before they can fly. Maybeetle larvae, aphids, and birds have at times taken considera- ble toll at the different nurseries. These are general pests and their damage and methods of control are essentially no different in the intermountain region than elsewhere, although they are probably less destructive here and more easily controlled. DISTRIBUTION OF PLANTING STOCK. In case the planting stock should be needed for early planting at a lower altitude than the nursery, some artificial means of removing the snow was necessary. Its natural disappearance, which takes place about May 10, was hastened several weeks by sowing black soil over the surface at the rate of about 1 bushel per 1,000 square feet. (PI. III, fig. 1.) Soil to be used for this purpose was obtained during the preceding summer when thoroughly dry, and was stored under cover. Digging, grading, and bunching the stock intended for field use were done as soon as the soil had dried off sufficiently in the spring. The trees were lifted by means of a spade or spading fork thrust into the soil to a depth of 7 to 10 inches depending on the species and the size of the trees. One or more pickers followed the spade man, pulling up the trees, grading out all small, weak, or injured ones, counting and tying them loosely in bunches of 25 or 50, according to the size of the trees. If the shipment was to be made promptly the bunches were only temporarily heeled-in; otherwise, they were placed in the storage shed. Under favorable conditions, the work of digging, bunching, grading, and heeling-in was done at the rate of 6,000 transplants per man per day. Since most of the planting sites were located at high elevations and opened from two to four weeks later than the nursery, it was necessary to store the trees to keep them from growing until needed in the field. The floor of a frame shed was covered with a 10-inch layer of sand and gravelly soil in which the loosely tied bundles of trees were heeled-in as fast as taken out of the nursery. They were then covered with a 2-foot layer of snow from a near-by drift, with a 3-inch layer of sawdust on the top. After a storage period of 26 days, the trees were found to be in excellent condition, without any signs of growth. The burlap method of packing stock for shipment was adopted subsequent to 1917, replacing the former method of packing the trees mm wooden crates. (Pl. III, fig. 2.) The burlap roll is far more economical, and at the same time trees packed by this method with- ee 20 10 BULLETIN 1264, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. stand rough treatment in transit equally as well as those packed in crates. Wet sphagnum moss was used to keep the trees moist. Table 4 gives the approximate average number of trees contained in a full-sized burlap roll, with the weights and rate of packing for various age classes of nursery stock. TaBLEe 4.—Average number of trees in a full-sized burlap roll, weights, and rate of packing for various age classes of nursery stock. Average weight. Rate of packing per day. . Age Number Species. class.! | per roll. 2 men Per roll. | Per M. 1 man. eke helper). M. Pounds. | Pounds M. MM Hodrepole pine... - Lt 2 ee 2k 2.0 65 32.5 40 60 Western yellow pine_--___..._-- 2222-12. | 2-1 1.8 72 40 30 45 Pirelaann Spruce... > Ak Ae i i \ 15 75 50 25 40 Bluespruces.2-_ 2 4___... 2 see 2-3 1.0 75 75 15 25 1 The first figure in the ‘‘age class’’ column is the number of years the nursery stock was grown in the seed bed, and the second figure the number of years in the transplant bed. The average cost of planting stock for the years 1915 to 1919, by age classes, for the principal species grown at the Cottonwood Nurs- ery, is given in Table 5. On account of losses from snow-molding and frosts, which at that time were uncontrolled, the cost for Doug- las fir of all age classes above the 1-0 class was far greater than for any of the other species. TaBLe 5.—Average cost of tree production at the Cottonwood Nursery, 1915 to 1919, inclusive.* Average cost per 1,800. Class of stock. | eee | Engel- Blue Norway Lodge- | Western Douglas mann | spruce. | spruce. | Pole yellow fi spruce 4 ; ; pine. pine. F LIU fatto = oe eae eerie Sagara spy ae ell Po Soo et | $0. 436 $0. 49 $0. 364 | $0. 48 $0. 52 $0. 53 7. = (Sess SCRA? ce ee Se SA ee cs J ae | . 836 1. 02 1. 08 1. 42 . 84 4, 22 eee fe oe Ee 2 A ne ee MAPA! 1. 48 209 oh tell eae 22. 42 iets Wt ne Ys) 2h ti 0 bendy Years Eee ouy 606 eR 6. 49 OE i Al am 2 7) ps CR, DP Ss WE Gee © See SP TE bs ae yereepe ee (x4 be lere tos fit Jive |---------- PAS pl ath et A Mae ss. Ws: Sie Ret Be ep Hef in Fh a SO FE 9 Of S86" | 3522 Ae eo Pte be pe Ad TO PPh we 6. 01 8.01 elexr Ta. 5am Ht ans | 39.01 Sea Seman eee Se oe ae DAD st -7 fe Nee ee 10: 26,0 4e 4. | en Sey | 43. 53 1 These costs are exclusive of distribution charges, which amounted to approximately $2.50 per M, including overhead. FIELD PLANTING. PLANTING SITES AND NATIVE TIMBER TYPES. In the mountains of the intermountain region there is a regular zonation of forest types, and in each zone there are characteristic differences in planting sites. The highest zone is typified by Engel- mann spruce and alpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa). Below this, Douglas fir or white fir (A. concolor) usually predominates except where through the agency of fire lodgepole pine (in northern Utah, western ~ ~Bulletin 1264, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture PLATE III F-37080A Fic. I.—TRANSPLANT BEDS OF WESTERN YELLOW PINE ON WHICH BLACK SOIL WAS SOWED TO REMOVE THE SNOW TO FACILITATE THE EARLY SHIP- MENT OF PLANTING STOCK FROM THE BEAVER CREEK NURSERY, UTAH F-153362 FIG. 2.—TIGHTENING BALE OF ENGELMANN SPRUCE TRANSPLANTS. BALES !IN RIGHT FOREGROUND READY FOR SHIPMENT TO PLANTING AREA. COTTONWOOD NURSERY, UTAH PLATE IV Bulletin 1264, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture 1 iad = ‘HVLN VLL90G-4 ONILNV1d JO GOHLAIN) JIOH-SGIS SHL ONIS(I) ‘1ISSYUO+4 IWNOILVN HOLVSVM ‘NOANVO GOOMNOLLOD DIG NI LOAdSY NYSHLYON V ONIINV Id SMAYD NVIAI-GZ YNOS FOREST PLANTING IN THE INTERMOUNTAIN REGION, gis J Wyoming, and Idaho) or aspen (Populus tremuloides) (in Utah and Nevada) has become dominant temporarily. Below the Douglas- fir zone comes western yellow pine in both central Idaho and southern Utah. In central Utah, however, north to the Snake River drain- age, a brush belt takes the place of the western yellow pine type; and, where this species is lacking in Idaho and western Wyoming, either a grass type covers the lower mountain slopes or the Douglas- fir or the lodgepole-pine type extends directly to the sagebrush valleys or plains. In central Idaho, below the western yellow pine, is an open grassy type extending to the Snake River plains; while in central Utah, below the western yellow pine and oak-brush types, is a belt of pifion pine (Pinus edulis) and Utah juniper (Juniperus utahensis) which extends to the valley flats. The chief areas in need of reforestation in the Engelmann-spruce type are old burns where recurring fires have completely removed the former forest cover. Through fire and erosion the rich soils of some of these areas have been rendered sterile; but those areas which have recently suffered from fires are among the easiest to reforest. These recent burns are still strewn with down timber, the mineral soil is exposed and there is neither serious erosion nor the difficult problem of dense grass or brush growth. Far less promising are the many large open areas covered with weeds and grass, usually dotted with clumps of trees. These have never been considered as planting sites and should not beso considered. [uropean experience on similar sites has shown that the highest use of such land is for erazing. In the Douglas-fir zone below the Engelmann-spruce type,where burns do not become so rapidly covered with dense grass and herbs and deep-rooted shrubby species are much more prevalent, older burns offer excellent planting sites. Indeed, some sites that are now brush-covered occupy burns so old that no direct evidence of them exists. In general, any brushy area at that elevation occupying normally forested slopes forms a satisfactory planting site. The western yellow pine type offers few opportunities for planting, as burns are rare and not severe. Natural reproduction is generally taking place, except on sites too severe to be desirable for forest planting. The oak brush, however, although its altitudinal position is analogous to the western yellow pine zone, is mainly without forest growth. A great deal of planting has been done here, on the supposition that this belt was a potential western yellow pine site; but, while planting has been proved possible, more careful investiga- tions have indicated that the oak-brush zone of central Utah pos- sesses characteristics which will make it impossible for the western yellow pine to perpetuate itself naturally. Below the western yellow pine and oak-brush belts, no planting sites can be considered on account of their severity. They support at best only open forests of pifion pine and Utah juniper. METHODS OF PLANTING. The general methods of planting management and organization in vogue throughout the country have been used in the intermountain region. These are well known and are described in detail by Toumey and by Tillotson (5, 9). 12 BULLETIN 1264, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Of the various methods of planting, only two—the center-hole and the side-hole—have been used in this region. The center- hole method was most frequently used in the earlier planting work, but was later replaced by the second method in which the soil is firmed on one side of the tree. It is possible to use narrower holes in the side-hole method; the roots are spread out rather than crowded to the center; and the planting is done more quickly. Also, the side- hole method has proved the best to use with relatively inexperienced labor. «(Pla lV.) The relative advantages of these and various other methods of planting have not been exhaustively worked out, but there is a great mass of general information which shows that trees properly planted by either the center-hole or side-hole method have about equal chances of survival. The cone method is too expensive for the results secured. The slit method was made the subject of experimental eran sen with the center-hole method on a planting site (Rock Creek, Targhee National Forest). The results to date, which indi- cate a considerable inferiority of the slit method, are shown in able 6. TABLE 6.—Effect of method of planting upon survival and growth, Rock Creek planting area, Targhee National Forest, Idaho. Per cent alive, 1921. Growth, 1921. : Ago Species. class. Center- Hit Center- Slit hole rE hole : metbod method. maethod method. Inches. Inches. nod gepolespime sate cB 2 e eree De ee . 2-1 38 1.6 1.5 DB) Que ss ee RITE RE Rie Os) 6) eae a a 3-0 59 43 2p 2° Dowelassin2 seh eee ese es ree tee ea lt 2-1 22 6 1.0 1.2 0 ae 12 SOD eee at aE Sa Se PRP Ire Ba eae See | 2-2 9 6 I In general, care and thoroughness are more important than method. In 1916, six plantations were carefully made by forest officers upon areas which had been planted by common labor a few days before. In every case there was a higher survival on the plantations made by the forest officers, the difference iede 16 per cent and ranging from 2 to 36 per cent. The advantage still persists when the extra cost of the more careful work is considered. In only one case was the cost per surviving tree lower with the cheaper but more careless labor. Careful planting by either the center-hole or side-hole methods gives all that can be desired. NUMBER OF PLANTS PER ACRE. Regular spacing of trees in planting in the intermountain region is usually undesirable and in many cases impossible. Protection from drought is of paramount importance on nearly all sites, and accordingly planting close to the edges of down logs and stumps on burns has proved much superior to planting in the open, while on brush lands the trees should be laced neither in the spaces between the clumps nor in the thick growth but on the northern peripheries of the clumps. Only in the case of aspen stands having slight under- erowth can even spacing be resorted to among the sites usually con- sidered for planting. The trees should run about 1,000 to the acre, equivalent to a spacing of about 6 by 7 feet. On open brush lands, FOREST PLANTING IN THE INTERMOUNTAIN REGION. 13 this leads to rather crowded spacing on the edges of clumps, but high loss is to be expected in such places and the final result will not indicate too close spacing. RESULTS OF FIELD PLANTING. Because of its importance and character, western yellow pine has been planted much more commonly than any other species in the treeless brush belt. The successful forestation of this belt, as potential yellow-pine land, would be of great importance in the silvicultural management of the central Utah forests. A large pro- portion of the earlier forestation work has, however, been unsuccessful. WESTERN YELLOW PINE. Class of planting stock —Aside from the factor of suitability of site, which is fs the greatest importance, the age class of stock necessary for success on a given area should receive the most careful considera- tion in the intermountain region. In selecting western yellow pine for field planting, the relative size and development of fibrous roots is very essential, and therefore the age class of western yellow pine planting stock has been the subject of careful study in this region. The relative size of the classes studied is shown in Table 7. TaBLE 7.—Comparison of different age classes of western yellow pine firsts. | Average Ratio of diameter | Average | Average | Average | Average welent Age class. _| Source of seed (forest). ofstem | length | length | weight | weight |, Sear | at root oftop. | cfroot. of top. of root. pe erent | collar. oi entire. plant | Inches. Inches. Inches. Grams. Grams. | Per cent. Eatai7)i chums Maloy m7 on. 43 es 3 0.17 2 12.0 2. 80 1.13 28.8 IOC) P= 2 DALTON 3 eee ee 13 3.3 11.6 119 . 4 PAS. DZ RGIOEZ ES ae Sevier, Ashley __--_-_- -16 Beil 11.6 2. 89 1.08 Pf fave SACS)! aes pSPE 7 Ca) ee eee ahd 5. 6 12.3 4. 00 1.17 22.6 SA (1917) h5 ee 13° NG ees Se eee IE -18 5.4 11.8 4. 66 2. 24 32.5 2-1 (1919)_________ Salmon. 3-9 pte -18 6. 2 10.1 5. 40 2. 05 PARE DABELS2O} Se SS ict Ra doze ret 14 220 2.0 3. 85 1.30 Dae DRE CISZO) ES <= Seni eae Ae yy ee 11 79 9.1 1.49 41 21.6 2—$5(1920) ==. - =.=. Salmene 52225 bs 13 4.0 11.2 4.32 PDA 33.8 Psi C1920) t= Sh aes ee es j 14 3.2 1H5 4.22 2. 08 33.0 Att (1920) Le oye See Pee . 16 2.9 10.5 3. 79 | 2. 62 34.8 | 1 Unavoidably air-dried for 30 days. The best general criterion of stock suitable for field planting is the balance between the root and the top, which is most conven- iently expressed by weight. But for the experienced nurseryman the actual appearance of the piant is the most satisfactory guide, for a root system that weighs heavy in proportion to the top may yet be composed mainly of large coarse roots with few lateral, fibrous root- lets. The best class of planting stock is that which has a small top and a large fibrous root system. Such a balance is essential in western yellow pine, which tends toward a less satisfactory develop- ment. A well-balanced transplant is especially necessary to develop for use on severe sites, such as those found in the intermountain region. A study of Figure 3 shows that, in both the Utah and Idaho forms of western yellow pine, the 2—1 stock is superior as far as re- lative root development is concerned. Two and three year seedling stock has satisfactory tops, but the root development is very poor; 1-2 and 2-2 stock is unsatisfactory because there is a tendency for the transplant to develop a decided tap root during the second year in the transplant bed. 14 BULLETIN 1264, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Another factor of some importance is the percentage of good plantable stock which may be graded out as it is dug from the nursery beds. A special study of grading practice was made and arbitrary grades were established for the various age classes of western yellow pine. pele 8 shows the percentage of each grade for each age class studied. yA “i ‘ H vf] ‘ox i tf FRO UTAH i Fic. 3.—Development of western yellow-pine stock of different age classes grown in the Cottonwood Nursery, Wasatch National Forest, Utah TaBLe 8.—Results of the grading of different age classes of western yellow pine nursery stock. Grade. Age class. Firsts. | Seconds.}| Culls. Per cent. | Per cent.| Per cent. Pe 1 GR ee See SEF See ee Se SE ae Meo) AS EE ee rie OT Seg ot ee ee 32.5 48.7 18.8 ST 1 oer Vas “peng PS Se caleeeigie Gak aeytuogs hme, Meee be eames SON yl Ne hee iblt 9.4 89.5 | ab) Ice ams tT ee See A>: SO be Oe Se! Gomeetny Ce ARR SNS eee es 46°67 (2 ee 53.4 ZION E) sae Sec et i oo Re ee SE Ce ae ee ee BONG AIRS 29.3 211918) Baa t+ eee 7 eee en ei a ee Lynn! 1| Ge pek eeeee £ 47.5 A) ES, teenie SS, Se eek ben 32 Tae bP cece 2 yet Bead oa Eo | poet is oF OS 79.6 Pete a pnt oo. i ee tot ad ite ret ee te 8k Pg eee ee Tt Pa TOL 1S elem 72.8 72] 7 US Sanam SAS TED Sie SY SS a ER 2 aS eee Vt 8 39..6-).2- eee 60. 4 ZI (O= Ee irstS) 25%. eee Ae TE ee PRE PSE PEE Lee 56706 eo 44.0 21h 2K SECONGS) 2 eS es a. Se ae D352 ee aes 76.8 1 This lot ofstock was considerably below the average for 2-1 stock on account of having been injured in the transplant bed. 2 Some of the 2-1 western yellow pine stock, graded into firsts and seconds and re-transplanted, gave these results when graded the following spring as 2-i-1 stock. In the grading of seedling stock the firsts were stock which was considered suitable for field planting, while the seconds were con- sidered suitable for transplanting but unsuitable for’ field planting. The culls were stock unsuitable for use either for field planting or for transplanting and were discarded. In grading this stock it was assumed that trees selected for field planting should have the proper balance between root and top. The necessary grading of 2-0 seed- lings as illustrated in Table 8 adds from $1 to $1.50 a thousand to the cost of the 2-0 planting stock on account of the cost of the stock dis- carded, which makes it but little cheaper than 2-1 stock for field planting. The extremely low percentage of 3-0 stock suitable for field planting is due to the unbalanced top and root development, the very long coarse tap root, the almost complete absence of fibrous secondary laterals developed within 12 inches of the root collar, and he FOREST PLANTING IN THE INTERMOUNTAIN REGION. 15 the large heavy top. The use of this class of stock for field planting is out of the question. If the first two grades, or 10.5 per cent, are considered for transplanting, the cost would prove excessive and the resulting transplant stock of very questionable utility. The 1-2 stock shows up well in the transplant beds, but the root development is discouragingly meager. The roots have very few fibrous laterals and a dearth of root hairs. This stock does not show up well for transplant stock when compared with 2-1 transplants. There is the further disadvantage of transplanting 1-0 seedlings, especially the Rocky Mountain form of western yellow pine, which are too small to handie economically. The same objections hold for 1-1-1 stock. Furthermore, the second transplanting in the case of 1-1-1 and 2-1-1 stock does not have the same beneficial effect that the first transplanting has in stimulating favorable root development. The merits of the 2-1 class of stock are largely self-evident from the foregoing discussion, especially when corroborated by the survival data which follow. Field tests of the different classes of stock used commonly in this district were made in three different localities. The essential results are shown in Table 9. TABLE 9.—Survival of various classes of stock. Survival Loeality.! Age class.|last exam- ination. Wasatch National Forest: Per cent. ees Cae OL LOM OO GH separa eee eee Ree ey ee eee Se pet ee kv eee a 2-1 30 2-2 16 Bx ABM (CRONE KOI GAOT OG Cem ah A ac i Oa Meee 2-1 34 2-2 28 nee bre C OL bon OOd iE: fa 9 yee Eee. Pe ae OE es wees ea ee Pe ee A 2-1 PH | 2-2 14 Cache National Forest: meni V iii ea CnC Keer eer eet See ee ee oe eee Ne ee Re 2-0 ! 22 3-0 10 2, 11 2-1 26 2-2 14 ipa Vln xan © mC e Kamae meee Re aie tet Meats Sh ee INN alee a A ae eer 2-0 3 3-0 3 1-2 16 2-1 35 Gee WEinike @mcek =e p2see ert epee Of Seed Pees eG! OSE ey ea Ta aT 1-1 1 : 2-1 7 Manti National Forest: pment radii samy OMS ers Lb. ee yyy te eee EP ee eee Seed eee | 2-1 33 2-0 15 1-2 18 “ 2-2 6 SH phramr@ anyon 2M vie eas Ve eke AAS Ca VAIS AEE EES PURE AS | 2-1 40 | 2-0 43 1-2 33 3-0 3 1 Details of plantations are given for the areas as numbered in Table 9, as follows: 1. Planted fall 1915 on sagebrush-ceanothus-oak brush-aspen area with a southern aspect, results shown for fifth year after planting. oe Planted fall 1915 on ceanothus-oak brush area with a western aspect, results shown for fifth year after planting. _3. Planted spring 1916 on same area as preceding, results shown for fifth year after planting. 4. Planted in spring of 1916 on burned-over sagebrush land, results shown for fourth year after planting. 5. Planted spring of 1917 on same area as preceding, results shown for first year after planting, as all age classes were dead at the next examination. 6. Planted spring of 1917 on brushy northeast exposure coming back to bitterbrush (Kwnzia tridentata) and snowberry (Symphoricarpos sp.). 7. Planted spring 1916 on open oak-brush site with western aspect. ‘The plantation resulted ultimately in total failure for all age classes. Results shown are for first year. 8. Planted spring 1917 on oak-brush site with western aspect, more favorable than preceding. Results shown for third year. 16 BULLETIN 1264, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. In every case but the last 2-1 stock shows the best survival. Averaging all these results, it appears that if the survival of 2-1 stock is made the standard with a value of 100 for convenience, the survival of 2—0 stock will be 62, 2-2 stock 52, and 1-2 stock nearl the same, while 3—0, much poorer, is 16, and 1-1, poorest of all, with a value of 14. The cause of this difference is the better balance between the top and root in 2-1 stock than in any other. The tops are small and the root system large and fibrous. That this is the true explanation of the superiority is indicated not only by the data in Tables 7 and 8, but also by the experience gained in planting trees of different relative development but all belonging to the 2-1 age class. “In the spring of 1916 a record of one thousand 2-1 trees planted on five different sites was made, classifying both roots and tops as large, medium, and small. The results were as follows at the end of the first year: Trees with large top and large root showed a 75 per cent survival; medium top and large root, 74 per cent; medium top and medium root, 63 per cent; small top and medium root, 59 per cent; small top and small root, 51 per cent; large top and medium root, 49 per cent; medium top and small root, 48 per cent; and large top and small root, 27 per cent. After considering all of the factors involved in the determination of the age class of western yellow pine best adapted to the planting needs of the region, the evidence is unmistakably in favor of 2-1 stock, from the standpoints of the relative balance between top and root, the development of a compact fibrous system of absorbing rootlets, and the ultimate survival and subsequent development in the field. Season of planting.—The period from 1911 to 1913 saw consider- able fall planting on a rather large scale. In addition to western yellow pine, Douglas fir, Engelmann spruce, and a few exotic species were rather extensively planted; but the results were so unsatisfac- tory with regard to the species other than western yellow pine that the practice was discontinued in favor of spring planting. Fall planting of western yellow pine proved advantageous on southern exposures where the snow melts very early, because it enabled the trees to become established early in the spring while the nursery from which stock could be supplied was still under snow. However, the greater possibility of inclement weather accompanied by snows render all fall planting projects uncertain. Experiments were continued until the spring of 1920, the results of which are included in Table 10. In comparing the 100-tree plots planted in the fall of 1915 with those planted in the spring of 1916 in Big Cottonwood Canyon, it will be seen that the fecrnae show the highest percentage of living trees and compare favorably in percentage of vigorous trees. On the Ephraim Canyon watershed all fall plantings were very unsuc- cessful; but it should be noted that none were made on open south slopes similar to those in Cottonwood Canyon. On the other hand, a comparison of the plantations established in the fall of 1919 with those planted the previous spring or in the spring of 1920 shows that, in practically every case, the spring plantings were superior to those made in the fall. FOREST PLANTING IN THE INTERMOUNTAIN REGION. 17 TasBLeE 10.—Record of experimental plantations of western yellow pine in the inter- mountain region. DOWOMAMWDWOUP PPLE HE WWWOWWNRH 20 20 Site. Description. Planting record. Age. Ephraim Canyon Water- shed, Manti National Forest, Utah: Oak, north slope__--_-_-- Oak, protected _-—__--_-_- Oak, unprotected______ Oak, west slope_-___-_-_-- Qakesace te eee D 1B YO)S Seether pate Vian Zante eee DOL ee ee See Wildsepplesss= 2) A Open oe ee Serviceberry-oak_______ Clearedioake = 52222250 Aspen, unthinned --_-__- Aspen, 144-thinned -.___ Aspen, 44-thinned_-____ Aspen, 34-thinned --___- Aspen, cleared_-_______ SMOWDCERYE 22st oee ee Brush, temporary - --_- Salina Canyon Watershed, Fishlake National For- est, Utah: Brush, permanent_-_-_-- Payson Canyon Water- shed, Uinta National Forest, Utah: SSHEVEQE) OF DESY 6 ayia toa COO 3 0 eset ee a a 2-0 Date. May, 1913 Sept.,1913 May, 1916 May, 1919 bs (0 hope esd May, 1918 May, 1920 ONC OR ee May, 1917 May, 1915 May, 1916 e.do0-22 23 Apr., 1916 et ORs ee May, 1916 May, 1917 May, 1918 May, 1917 May, 1918 Apr., 1916 May, 1917 May, 1918 May, 1917 May, 1918 Sept., 1913 June, 1914 May, 1913 Sept., 1913 May, 1916 June, 1917 May, 1914 Apr., 1915 2-0) eee CLO meee Percentage of survival by years. "ist year. 40 2d 3d 4th year. year. year. 69 62 3 58 O'7;, || eae 25 79 Gates se eves 4) fe Sas ae aia COE See aae ae Berens Jap ere 40 23 pee eee! AST ene Sees see ea 304 eases spas oe aes Sa eee aa AST | eed eater fe A Nr eit Dy see ona (4) ee ey ee ete 30 Ah Sse Ses BRR 7 page es [clon a 24 29 23 22 68 G0MiEssste <= 52 47 46 65 Doig eae SoL|eaeie sa 5 50 Ree oe 48 44 60 OR} = S22 Se Sek ole 47 41 51 3) ll eee 2) Sean [eee in i en i hse ep ccs 78 71 6 66 80 66 7 62 76 71 871 47 38 29 80 78 74 74 65 60 57 5 46 43 29 29 24 (ances ee i io sesee (°) TOME ter eA Sse St Se ae | ere nee he |e enna bc aes aed 50 Average height growth.? rb or co 1 For full descriptions of sites, see paragraphs correspondingly numbered in the Appendix, page 51. 2 From records at last examination. 3 Observation three years later showed 42 per cent survival. 4 Fifth year survival was 21 per cent. 5 One per cent less the following year. 6 Observations to seventh year showed about 3 per cent less annually, down to 56 per cent. 7 Survival, sixth year, 49 per cent; seventh year 48 per cent. 8 Four per cent less the following year. § Next observation, in seventh year, showed 10 per cent only. 91913°—25 3 18 BULLETIN 1264, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. TaBLeE 10.—Record of experimental planiations of western yellow pine in the inter- mountain region—Continued. Site. Planting record. | Percentage of survival by years. : Sa LER SAS Pipe NE op Ee ee ee ANE ous eight No. Description. Age. Date. 1st 2d 3d 4th trees. | growth. year. | year. | year. | year. Big Cottonwood, Can- yon Watershed, Wasatch National Forest, Utah: Per cent.| Inches. 21 Brush, permanent___-_-_ 2-1 | Apr., 1918 é Jt Gs a apy i) (oe re 3 0. 20 21 AD YS BENE ee eee 2-1 | May, 1919 32 7A peed eB) Aha se ae 15 . 40 21 Dose ae ee 2-1 | Oct., 1919 1+ ee oe ee Ee i Mi gf ee Re 21 DOS - ete Se 7) Uh eo (oe 25 Ae = eo] Se ee ce yA tae ee ae ce 21 1D (nj Se tay Pareto ee 2-1 | May, 1920 sy al Neen Bee es Seay eae be ace 89) eee 21 Dope ok vas PST Ngeea 5:7 anaes PA Sele eae Par 7 een es ois ties & oe 21 1D (We siesta on be mappete 2-1" | "Oats 2.1920 la 2 ee a ee 21 DQ 2m et eee en 1-2 | Oct., 1913 96 88 80 10 §8 44 .90 21 1D Yop seas Loe 02 eek Re 2-1 | Oct., 1915 67 51 38 8 34 23 . 90 21 1S Gs eae talaga ree VOB ER (0 SES 35 26 24 8 20 10 .70 22 Brush, temporary ----__ 2-1 | May, 1919 13 CC Ny Peay) (a eas r¢ . 20 22 1D (o/s Seat te Se 2-1 | Oct., 1919 S5a| et ee ee eee TS Lee 22 Hh DOME Silay aod 2 ee 2-1 | May, 1920 pi iy Henan Sa Ed sg ale Bald) legal reg Go; (Poe ee ee 22 DO Ae eae 2-1 | May, 1919 53 tN Ii cael teas Wnt lage c= 28 ou 22 1D (ape 2 net telced Beh aT | Waal Ren 3 (0a 23 “Aly Pt Se on Rees ee 22 (PD) Oe eae Se 2-1 | Oct., 1919 Li fe WR Sere page yet ae. Sak hes 12)" eee 22 Do pty Aa 2-1 | May, 1920 Shale =- heer eg ag Ry eo CE pe a 22 1B Ye) Latapiat fo oulaper Sahat a ae 2 2-1 | Oct., 1915 68 54 48 11 40 32 1. 00 22 Dow. ee sees ore 2-1 | May, 1916 70 45 36 12 32 23 . 60 22 a Es Yar Speke he iphone, 9 ata Pe 2-2 | Oct., 1915 48 36 32 10 30 26 1.10 22 DOS ar Or 2-2 | May, 1916 47 31 21 818 30 1.10 Beaver Creek Watershed, - Wasatch National For- est, Utah: 23 Hake brushe-e= tote 2-1 | May, 1917 81 74 64 55 28 1. 40 24 Cleared sagebrush_____ 7s i) (5 (ee 92 86 65 46 27 1.40 25 Sagebrush. 8 55 2. Agee sss 79 Tiep 57 40 22 . 50 25 1D Yo oes eeaintee VP ieieie 2-0 | Apr., 1915 54 38 36 PE ee 1.10 Lamb’s Canyon, on Par- ley’s Canyon Water- shed, Wasatch National Forest, Utah: 26 Oakbrushe: 22 Ses 2-1 | May, 1920 90 Te nl Wetec ate e Jins rain 34 . 24 26 Woes. S42 ass Zon 2d Ges = Se 88 Hoe ves see ees 38 77 Mink Creek Watershed, Cache National Forest, Idaho: 74 Saceprushe-e- 2 ee 2-1 | May, 1917 (1 ha eae stare ol OE Deemer tp ie ee i jl EER nt 2 27 Dosrsc S22 255 PAR ees ee vile = Seek aeireh OR ox we a A fe Ef LU (eee bs 39 27 1D OS Set eee So a ZO pe OO eas ed ne Sen OE pee See tok yar i eee Se 27 WOlS ese oe 3-0) || dow = ipa fe A ie Ke So er) es rhe 0 ee eee 27 D022 ss23 5222 ee 1 El eet 5 (9 oe TG [a%! see a3 et Ole ee aS oe ee 27 DOS cee. sees 7/4 al Re (0 ee 5 (5a (eae i Sas A Salespersons ae) is | 27 1B Yo jo 5) ees ees Sine Zan done =. 22 Cp be of en Tale Oi er fees 27 DOn ac ovo ee 7 Nel SEE (oe Se 2) | Bakes ey Soe Op 24a 27 WO te 2 BES 1-2 | Apr., 1916 62 5%, al Fe eee tee ir 28 | See 9A) Dot SaaS TPA GO 2 8 36 20s: SS ll Pe ete | a 27 DGS ores ke ee 7 =" al ERE 5 (2 nas 80 LY oe OE Sahel 26 yf i Sep Sk 27 1D Cova o-8 Gm Sree ieee ae ys 2-22 does. 58 40" | 32 s= 2 14 pA eee 27 (DY Ser eee eS ee 2-0) | 8s Ose 69 50} 33s 22 Pa 5 ee 27 i Doe Sa eS (eee 1-2 ido. 58 ro pd Me cl je ty 2 pj bag} RRA Ba “al 24) 1D Yah Se eee ee rene 2-Oslis- EO 54 < 64 Alf OF al ea ee SN fel Makes SEE ee 27 Dos seer eee Pye aa ee 66 gg be wet oe eee ae 77 i eM cE 27 IDOE ek Le A 3-0 pe dose te 44 PG Beet abe 10 y. 3 een. FESS 27 1D (0 Seen eee t—?' |. doe = 77 68.108 oe aes ees el See EE 28 ASDECH ER’ 222 Es 2-1 | Apr., 1915 Fy Ban EP A) ae | ae ee | a ee 12 fe. = eee 29 Brush, permanent____- 1-1 | May, 1917 5) eee 1p) (See ee aes Vp Ele Fo 22 29 DOM a ee 2-10 22-0622 ae yh eet Sse= S 2 ls ee 30 Brush, temporary ----_- 2-1 i Sao sere toro) | Lee 81 78 68 1.30 30 (| el 5 i ehh = il (MRA 0 (a Yea ale 2 TY es. ada 81 78 74 1. 20 30 1D (3 ee ce 2-1") Apr aslo ses 28 = 75 5 ee cnt 56 1. 80 Rock Creek, Targhee Na- tional Forest, Idaho: 31 Thin aspen, north Slope =: Meee ee 1-2 | Oct., 1915 2h 0 =e ee Sol Melee BERS 31 OS sto eee 12 | doate 25 ees) ey meets ers Beret 31 Thin aspen, bench__-_-_- 1 Ee eee Co eee 79) awe ae aera Fas een - OG") ere 31 Ce eee OF LO eee oe i (i aera tee afl nate Yn rep, = i hj Rese ae § Four per cent less than the following year. 10 Two per cent less the following year. 11 Six per cent less the following year. 12 Five per cent less the following year. 13 Burned over and plantation destroyed. FOREST PLANTING IN THE INTERMOUNTAIN REGION. 19 These apparently contradictory results are evidently caused by snow molding, a form of fungous injury which often causes serious losses during seasons of late melting of the winter snow. Snow molding is especially serious to fall-planted stock, because it has not become established before the beginning of the winter snows. The winter of 1915-16 had a normal amount of snow which disappeared during the latter part of April, therefore there was no loss from the snow molding fungi that winter, and the stock showed a high sur- vival. During the winter of 1919-20, there was a heavy snowfall which did not melt until the latter part of May. By this time a large percentage of the stock planted the previous fall had been killed by the fungi, and this accounts for the great difference in survival in favor of the spring planting. In summing up the results, there seems to be little difference between the results of fall and spring planting where snow does not lie too long and too deep. Where the plantations are made on south-facing slopes, the advantages of fall planting are especially marked; for here in addition to the early melting of the snow, spring planting is at a special disadvantage, owing to the drying out of the sites before stock can be secured from high-altitude nurseries and before mountain roads are generally open and passable. However, on many of the sites, because of the possibility of serious snow molding injury accompanying heavy snowfalls or late melting of the snow in the spring and the greater probability of inclement weather in the fall, early spring planting has generally proved more satisfactory. Sites suitable for western yellow pine.—Extensive plantations have been made on the permanent brush lands of the Great Basin, on potential Douglas-fir sites on which a temporary cover of brush has come in following fires or other devastating agencies, and limitedly within the lower portion of the aspen type. The sites within the permanent brush lands include areas having a cover of oak brush (Quercus utahensis), serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), manzanita (Arctostaphylos pungens), wild apple (Peraphyllum ramosissimum), snowberry (Symphoricarpos oreophilus), sagebrush (Artemisia triden- tata), Tetradymia canescens inermis, or an association of two or more of these species. The temporary brush lands are for the most part characterized by snow brush (Ceanothus velutinus), chokecherry (Prunus melanocarpa), ninebark (Opulaster malvaceus), serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), and myrtlebrush (Pachystima myrsinites). The planting of western yellow pine in the brush lands has been extensively investigated and fully discussed elsewhere.’ The majority of the experimental plantations were located in four general regions. The largest number were established in oak brush, sagebrush, manzanita, and wild-apple associations in the permanent brush type and under aspen and on Douglas-fir burns on the Ephraim Canyon watershed, Manti National Forest. Others were placed in permanent brush characterized by a mixture of sagebrush, oak brush, snowbrush, serviceberry, chokecherry, elder- berry (Sambucus caerulea), and scattering curl-leaf mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius) and aspen, and on an area of temporary brush occupying a Douglas-fir burn on the Big Cottonwood water- 2 Baker, F. S., and C. F. Korstian. Report in preparation. 20 BULLETIN 1264, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. shed. A number were also established in both sagebrush and oak brush on the Beaver Creek watershed on the Wasatch National Forest, and on three sites in the permanent brush type and one site in the temporary brush type on the Cache National Forest in southern Idaho. On the Ephraim Canyon watershed the plantations were for the most part centered on a rather compact area where a number of the important sites found in the oak brush belt occur close together. This area is situated at an elevation of approximately 7,400 feet in the central part of the oak brush type. (PI. V, fig. 1.) The mean annual precipitation is only about 13 inches, the greater part of which falls during the winter in the form of snow. The site becomes free of snow about April 15 in usual years, followed by occasional snows and rains until the middle of May, after which a period of drought usually extends with only infrequent small rains until the latter part of July or the early part of August. The plantations are therefore exposed soon after they are set out to very severe conditions of atmospheric and soil dryness. The area covers a small basin with a prevailing western exposure, of which the northern portfon is characterized by a poor, shallow, and light-colored soil with a rela- tively small admixture of humus. To the south a darker clay loam is found. Most of the sites planted to western yellow pine were calcareous. The different planting areas are more specifically described in appendix. Plantations were instituted on the Big Cottonwood Canyon watershed in 1913, 1915, 1916, 1918, 1919, and 1920. The Beaver Creek planting was done in 1915 and 1917. ‘These areas are all between 7,300 and 7,600 feet in elevation. The average rainfall in the vicinity of the Big Cottonwood plan- tations for the period from May 1 to Octcber 31 is 11.47 inches; June and July have the lowest monthly average, being less than 1 inch for either month; and August has only 1.37 inches. Killing frosts frequently occur as late as June 15 and as early as September 1, while light frosts may be expected throughout the summer. The soils are of limestone, granodiorite, and quartz diorite origin, varying from a gravelly or sandy loam to a loam in texture, but are not excessively calcareous and receive more precipitation than the typical oak brush zone soils. That these sites are suitable for western yellow pine is furthermore indicated by the presence of a somewhat more moisture-leving series of shrubs than is common in the oak brush type on the Manti National Forest. The Beaver Creek plots are located in a region of probably about the same rainfall. The oak brush is not so dense and tall as it is on the Manti National Forest; but soil moisture conditions are more favorable and the soil itself, being a rocky silty fine sandy loam, is more porous and less calcareous than on the Ephraim Canyon water- shed. One of the most northern occurrences of western yellow pine in Utah is found on the Beaver Creek watershed near the ig aoe lodgepole pine is found on another site adjoming the ots. , The Mink Creek watershed on the Cache National Forest is characterized by a large, open, flat sagebrush area which was burned over in the fall of 1915, on which the sage, followed by a rank growth of geranium, is coming in again quite vigorously. Slopes of various - FOREST PLANTING IN THE INTERMOUNTAIN REGION. 21 aspects are characterized by brushy species such as bitterbrush (Kunzia tridentata), snowberry (Symphoricarpos oreophilus), snow sa ene myrtlebrush, chokecherry, and wild rose. (PI. Ve Hie 2: "These areas lie between 5,500 and 6,000 feet elevation, near the center of the extensive area in northern Utah and southern Idaho in which native western yellow pine is not found. All of these areas receive scanty precipitation. The rainfall durimg the growing season averages about 12 inches. The days are warm and the nights cool during the growing season, only two and one-half months being free from killing frosts. The soil on the planting areas varies from a rather heavy brown silt loam on the sagebrush site to a gray to black silty very fine sandy loam on the other areas. The soil, derived from schist, diorite porphyry, limestone, and quartzite, is not excess- ively calcareous. While the majority of the plantations were installed in 1917, the sagebrush area was planted in 1916. An aspen area planted in the spring of 1915 was burned over the same fall. The area with temporary brush cover was planted in thespring of 1918. Western yellow pine was planted to a limited extent on the Salina Canyon watershed of the Fishlake National Forest, the Payson Canyon watershed of the Uinta National Forest, in Lamb’s Canyon on the Wasatch National Forest (all in Utah), and on the Rock Creek watershed of the Targhee National Forest in eastern Idaho. Table 10 gives a complete record of all of the experimental planta- tions of western yellow pine installed on the above-mentioned areas with sites and dates indicated, and with stock of the various age classes also shown. On most of these areas the plantations were composed of units of 100 trees each, although occasionally 200-tree units were used. In the earlier work up to and including the plan- tations installed in the spring of 1916 the trees were arranged in from 2 to 4 parallel rows, but subsequently square plots having 10 rows of 10 trees each were used in all the studies of planting sites. Table 10 shows a considerable number of plantations which are now old enough to give reliable indications of the final results. On the Big Cottonwood watershed the plantation of the fall of 1913 in permanent brush shows up very much the best, probably because of exceptional circumstances (light winter snow) at the time of plant- ing. At Beaver Creek results in oak-brush are also good. On the Mink Creek watershed two plantations in temporary brush show up very much the best, most of the other plantations being considerably less favorable. A study of the first-year results in Table 10 shows that the poorest results in Ephraim Canyon are found in fall plantings and in spring plantings where poor age classes of stock were used. Sites which give subnormal survival are west-slope oak (1916 plantations), be- cause the area planted that year was a very severe site with poor soil. Some of the sage and sage-oak plantations are very poor also. while the snowberry site is extremely unsatisfactory. These fail- ures have occurred where soils are poor and heavy or where there has been excessive shallow-root competitions from sagebrush and snowberry. In Big Cottonwood Canyon, plantations have been made on fewer sites and the differences in success are due more to the variations in the wetness of different seasons. Certain planta- tions, both in permanent and temporary brush, and planted both in 22 BULLETIN 1264, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. the spring and the fall have proved very unsuccessful chiefly on this account. On Mink Creek, the 1917 plantations in burned sage- brush are very poor, on account of the dryness of the summer of that year. The 1916 plantations on the same site were moderately successful the first year but show excessive subsequent loss. The Rock Creek plantations are generally rather poor. Growth naturally averages higher on the older plantations, where it normally increases from year to year. Current growth in excess of 1 inch a year is found in oak brush, where large 3-0 stock was used (with very low survival), also in oak sage, cleared sage, a Douglas-fir burn, one plantation under aspen, cleared aspen, and temporary brush. These sites are characterized by plenty of light coupled with soil conditions that run above the average. In Big Cottonwood Canyon, growth exceeds 1 inch per annum in three temporary brush plantations, while at Beaver Creek the best show- ing is in oak and cleared sagebrush. On the Mink Creek watershed, excellent growth is found on the same sites in temporary brush, where survival is best. The oldest extensive plantation of which a record of both survival and height growth is available, was made in the fall of 1912 in the permanent brush type on the southern aspect opposite the Cotton- wood Nursery. At the end of eight years this plantation showed 50 per cent of the trees alive with an average height of 13 inches. Another plantation made at the same time but on a less rocky site on the same aspect showed about the same survival and an average height of over 22 inches, the growth being about 34% inches each year. The greatest proportion of the losses occurred during the first two years after planting. The plantations of 1919 and 1920 show plainly that the success of western yellow pine planting on either the permanent or the temporary brush lands depends quite largely on the amount of rainfall during the first season following planting. The season of 1919 was unusually dry, and consequently the mor- tality of the plantations of that year ranged from 47 to 77 per cent. On the other hand, the season of 1920 was favorable in available moisture and the mortality ranged from 8 to 15 per cent. A study of all the western yellow pine plantations in the inter- mountain region leads to the following conclusions: 1. Western yellow pine plantations can be successfully estab- lished in the temporary brush type of the region, although results are frequently none too good because of the severity of this class of sites, as compared with those in other timber-producing regions of the West. Ample rainfall during the first season following planting is very frequently the one important factor which decides between success or failure. Although many of the temporary brush lands are potential Douglas-fir sites, western yellow pine, which is capable of withstanding the unfavorable site conditions better than Douglas fir, is more suitable for planting. If forest conditions were established, the site would edad become favorable for the natural invasion of Douglas fir. 2. The successful planting of western yellow pine on the per- manent brush lands requires a careful weighing of the factors of cover, altitude, and moisture supply to secure the proper balance between survival and growth. Of the sites in the permanent brush aie ate i Ai Mi i ne Bulletin 1264, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture PLATE V F-39963A Fic. |.—GENERAL VIEW OF OAK BRUSH PLANTING AREA IN EPHRAIM CAN- YON SHOWING A SAGEBRUSH FLAT AT THE LEFT. MANTI NATIONAL FOREST F-153344 Fic. 2—GENERAL VIEW OF MINK CREEK PLANTING AREA, CACHE NATIONAL FOREST, SOUTHERN IDAHO, SHOWING SAGEBRUSH LAND IN FOREGROUND, WESTERN YELLOW PINE PLANTED IN FURROWS AND ASPEN IN BACKGROUND, SUITABLE FOR THE PLANTING OF DOUGLAS FIR Bulletin 1264, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture PLATE VI F-39960A Fic. |.—LOWER EDGE OF ASPEN TYPE IN EPHRAIM CANYON, MANTI NATIONAL FOREST, UTAH. DOUGLAS FIR HAS BEEN PLANTED SUC=- CESSFULLY IN THE ASPEN IN THE FOREGROUND: OAK BRUSH TYPE IN THE CENTER F-153345 FiG. 2.—PLANTING AREA NEAR COTTONWOOD 'NURSERY ON A WESTERN ASPECT COVERED WITH TEMPORARY BRUSH TYPE CHARACTERIZED BY CEANOTHUS VELUTINUS FOLLOWING LOGGING AND FIRE IN DOUGLAS FIR TYPE. WASATCH NATIONAL FOREST, UTAH FOREST PLANTING IN THE INTERMOUNTAIN REGION. 28 type in this region available for planting to western yellow pine the best are: (1) Open stands of brush where the trees may be planted on the north sides of rather isolated clumps of brush; (2) low brush that will shade the trees for only a few years; (3) dense stands of brush or aspen, cleared or heavily thinned within a few years of planting; (4) open areas at the higher elevations within the type; and (5) areas having favorable soil moisture conditions cuetene clearing the native vegetation from otherwise suitable areas. 3. For field planting 2-1 is the best age class of stock to use. 4. The first establishment of plantations in the permanent brush typeis most easily secured under rather dense cover. In the open it is naturally best on the moister sites. 5. Survival after the first year or two is best under cover, up to a certain optimum density which is heavier at low altitudes than at high. Survival as high as 78 per cent at the end of the fourth year has been attained. On the other hand, the most vigorous trees were found on moist sites in the open. 6. Growth is best on the moister sites in the open where there is plenty of available soil moisture and heat, and decreases with de- creasing altitude, adverse soil conditions, slope, or exposure. The erowth rate may in some cases reach 3 inches in height per annum the fourth year after planting. DOUGLAS FIR. Douglas fir occurs naturally thoughout the region and is usually found in mixture with white fir from the upper edge of the western yellow pine type or permanent brush zone to the lower edge of the Engelmann spruce type; while scattered trees are found in warmer situations yell within the spruce and on cool sites, such as northern aspects down to the upper edge of the pifon-juniper type. Inas- much as the aspen type frequently alternates with Douglas fir at the same elevations, it is natural that this species should have been planted under aspen at the outset. Class of planting stock.—The general requirements as to the age class of Douglas fir stock most desirable for field planting are quite similar to those given above for western yellow pine. However, a few exceptions are worthy of note. In underplanting aspen it is necessary to use vigorous and sturdy transplants which will stand up straight during heavy snowfalls and during leaf falls in the autumn. Table 11 gives a comparison of 3-0, 2-2, 3-1, and 3-2 classes of Douglas fir stock. TaBLE 11.—Comparison of age classes of Douglas fir stock. Average ee = diameter | Average | Average | Average | Average wae ; is f Age class. ofstem | length length weight | weight aaaeeLat at root of top. ofroot. of top. ofroot. entire collar. plant Inches. Inches. Inches. Grams. Grams. | Per cent. 0. 1 11.4 4 36.8 [=2.. ee Se ee 6 4.7 3. 64 2.12 (S120 58 eS eee ers . 08 6.0 11.4 1. 62 . 46 22.1 2? _ sree hein Sree eee 14 6. 6 11.5 3. 82 2. 54 39. 9 Ct i he 18 6. 5 11.3 5. 78 1.78 23. 5 24 BULLETIN 1264, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Two-year-old seedlings are, in most cases, too small to transplant satisfactorily. The 2—2 age class has been used extensively in field lanting with the 2-1 class a fairly close second. The 2-1 class was ound to be too small for general field use, and it will be seen from Table 12 that this age class has not always succeeded so well as larger- sized stock. Transplants remaining in the transplant bed a second year were frequently subject to severe frost injury the second spring, owing to retarded growth caused by transplanting and a correspondingly Zz ALGAE LALEE dle INN) \\ Y MAL (MOC: i ST ai \ Nes i Oo Fic. 4.—Development of Douglas fir stock of different age classes grown at the Cottonwood Nursery, Wasatch National Forest, Utah. The 2-2 and 3-2 stock was injured by at least two late spring frosts, while the 3-0 and 3-1 stock was uninjured, having been protected from frosts and snow-moulding fungi. earlier start the second season. Three-year old seedlings are sufh- ciently large for transplanting (see fig. 4), and with one additional year’s growth in the transplant bed make a very satisfactory class of planting stock. In the spring of 1919, it was possible to make a direct comparison of 3-1 and 3-2 stock planted under a moderate cover of aspen. Table 12 shows that in this instance the use of 3-1 stock resulted in a survival of 80 per cent as compared with a survival of 40 per cent for the 3-2 stock at the end of the second growing season. FOREST PLANTING IN THE INTERMOUNTAIN REGION. 2% Sites surtable for Douglas fir—This species has been planted on four general classes of sites: (1) Under aspen of varying densities; (2) comparatively open recent Douglas fir burns; (3) temporary brush lands which are potential Douglas fir sites, from which the original forest cover has been removed either by early fires or by heavy cutting; (4) northern aspects in oak brush (Pl. VI, figs. 1 and 2). The results obtained on all of the experimental plantations are summarized in Table 12. Many of the plantations of Douglas fir under aspen in Utah re- sulted unsatisfactorily, owing mainly to the use of small planting stock and to snow-molding. Snow-molding is serious in proportion to the length of time the snow hes on the ground in the spring and it therefore becomes more serious as altitude increases. This is especially true under aspen, which not only tends to retard snow melting to a certain extent, but which also forms a favorable sub- stratum by its leaf fall for the development of the fungi. For this reason, results range all the way from entire failure in two years to 62 per cent survival after seven years. The former occurred at an elevation of 8,700 feet, the latter at 7,500 feet elevation. If altitude is correlated with average survival the second year, the indications are that at 7,500 feet elevation the survival would be normally 65 per cent, above which it would normally fall 10 per cent for every 250 feet increase in elevation. On the Mink Creek watershed in southern Idaho where snow molding has not been serious, a survival of as much as 95 per cent of vigorous trees at the end of the third year was obtained with 3-2 stock. Losses on the open Douglas-fir burns were quite heavy, owing mainly to lack of sufficient shade to tide the trees over dry periods. In the oak brush zone survival has been generally poor and growth is below normal. However, a survival of 72 per cent has been se- cured with 3-2 stock at the end of three years on the more favorable northern aspects. This resuit is especially encouraging because the erowth is practically as good as on any of the plantations. Frost injury is hkely to be serious at the lower elevations, and for this reason it is desirable at the lower elevations to plant on steep north- ern aspects where spring budding is delayed as much as possible, and yet where cold air does not settle. The shade of the oak brush cover and the moisture found on such sites are factors favorable also to summer survival; but in sage- brush the results are very poor, as the sites in the summer are drier than oak brush, while sagebrush is almost always found in flats and hollows subject to severe spring frosts. The conclusions regarding the planting of Douglas fir in this region may be summarized as follows: 1. The aspen type in Utah, southern Idaho, and western Wyoming can be successfully underplanted with either 3-1, 3-2, or 3-0 Douglas fir stock, preferably the ca class.* 3In order that the emphasis placed upon 3-1 stock may not be misconstrued, it is necessary to recall what has already been said, and shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4, regarding the susceptibility of Douglas fir tofrostinjury. It was not possible to grow good Douglas fir nursery stock until the frost injury and snow- molding problems had beensolved. The available 3-2 stock was in most cases severely injured by at least one severe freeze, making it somewhat inferior to uninjured 3-1 stock. General nursery experience in this region as well as the writers’ studies, all point to the superiority of 3-1 stock. 91913°—25——4 26 BULLETIN 1264, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. TABLE 12.—Record of experimental plantations of Douglas fir in the intermountain region. Site. Planting record. | Percentage of survival by years. Vigor- | Average t i 3d 4th t ‘a 2 Ss 2 ee A ts Is 2d Tees.? | growth. No Description Age Date year year. | year year EphriamCanyon watershed, Manti National Forest, | Utah: Per cent.| Inches 15 1 SOT So egies ene te a ins ee 2-2 | May, 1913_! 91 75 70 370 52 . 00 18 Brush, temporary ---__- 2-2 | June, 1913_| 39 ea res (©) 3 1.48 32 Dense aspen___-____--- pal MRT; GME | AS eee 2 es ee 2 ee By 32 of) te SEES 2) PoamejiSi4e 30’ kc Ril eee eee 32 BSpells 34 density____-_ 2-2 | June, 1913_ 32 CEC ee! BO eRe se) et ~ 55 3702 | ent. or D 7 lien ata tiaras igs —] | June, 1914_| DDN ee eee eee eee ee 32 Aspen, ¥% density____-_- 2-2 | June, 1913_) Si jc Se Sak _ yee aber Ae be eet bn . 28 2} Re Sy 5 ee aoe 2-1 | June, 1914 Pe BC’ nl MER iia eal acs = ME. “onic wae tS ee 32 see 4 density__.__- 2-2 | June, 1913 Pale Pee Ses 25) ot OF isco a ES te Se ase 32 | DO eee A -1 | June, 1914 Ojo be 8 ee (1's, Corea he 32 | Cleared aspen_-_______- 2-2 | June, 1913 90° e+ SS ee ee eee 32 | Perl 45 aceiees 2-1 | June, 1914 0} 48 oe nepaw 5 ¥ 7 17 | Dense aspen___________ 2-2 | June, 1917 60 35 32 32 19 1.03 17 | ipest 20 sae 2-2 | May,1918 77 67 G45 ie 28 ll 17} Aspen, 34 density____-- 2-2 | June, 1917 55 35 31 30 25 1.48 17 | Pg ee eee -2 | May,1918 77 70 Te ee 62 1.46 17 | Aspen, 1% density______ 2-2 | June, 1917 61 53 52) 50 34 1.36 17 one gn Geen! De, el ee 2-2 | May,1918 78 58 56 heyy 24 1. 35 17 | Aspen, 14 density______ 2-2 | June, 1917 44 29 27 | 25 16 1.58 hidpiees - 2744 DO a SP 2-2 | May,1918 78 61 Hi; <0 epee 9 Ay, 17 Cleared ASHe = eee 2-2 | June, 1917 18 9 Sy deel tles 5 . 62 17 [se he es sess ne see 2-2 | May,1918 50 25 DS | Sess eee il . 88 17 they ASPOHe 2 =e A 3-2 | June, 1917 1622 ae Fy eee 44 1,14 17 Aspen, 34 density______ 3-2 | May, 1918 GO|, wessEE BATU tae geet BG «bel beseyr 17 Dense aspen-_----_-___- 3-0 | June, 1917 | ae ya ee ere 13 ~55 16 17 1 Ale on ra Bas 2-2 | Sept. 1913 47 41 34 § 32 23 1. 02 33 DOL Se oe eee 2-2 | Oct., 1914 30 21 18 (6) = - 62 15 iy ee ee 2-2 | May, 1916 75 a eeece a eeeree 36 96 34 Dolly Ot [rity Ff 23 [2 4d6L 61 Sp | siSires 45 38 1. 03 35 | Digs ott he 5 ee 2-2 | June, 1917 62 24 8 | _ eee oe 2 -91 36 Leal eis 2-1 | Sept., 1913 ig oe 2 Sl face we oy sae 17 | Do. ricer lio. 2-2 | Oct., 1916 Ofizsee | nzesese Jad eee plas 37 | Burn, Engelmann | | spruce... tes fe ii 2-2 | June, 1913 3 pas jess | Ser ee a By ts 37 | Pinta Es 2-2 | Sept., 1913 ce aes Se eee TW eras 14 | Burn, Douglas fir_____- 2 Pde 20 19 16 71 10 | .97 14 IO! wa erreyyary ry cys 2-2 | June, 1914 17 13 10 £10 + 33 14 1a oy aes 2-2 | Oct., 1914 9 8 RG kets - .78 38 Open i TBS LUT? Oi 2-8) ato 110 17 | rot (ammo & 1 | 55 39 Sai eDEISHE == 2-2 | June, 1917 19 | 4 ral fd BE RaSe oe 3 .70 40 Dore te ee 2-2 | May,1915 58 | 38 | ty paces ESL i 13 | . 53 41 | Manzanita____________ 2-2 | June, 1917 17 | Rita fA | (20) ry eee i Whitetr se 2-2 | May, 1916 [Ty eben Ges mer: 4 57 43 | Oak brush, northslope_| 2-2 | Apr., 1916 |________|________|__---___ 18 18 . 88 44 Plo s ie es 2-2 | May,1917 41 21 Ea ee ee 12 . 29 44 1) Tee ane Be a, 3-2 | May,1918 95 75 | fg Seem 60 . 89 34 Dope? pvelach 3-2 | May,1919 83 56 Lee eoe, 5 ae 21 - 50 44 ies See eee 3-2 | May, 1920 (iM In| erates farina san [eta 5coss 31 «AD Big Cottonwood Canyon watershed, Wasatch Na- tional Forest, Utah: 45 Amiens 24 peti. 82? A 2-1 | May,1915 63 62 60 1159 49 1.00 46 YSSS. fee Fb 4do 36 13 1 L.2 3b SU eee 22 Brush, temporary _-___- 2-2 “May, 1918 58 32 7: 18 1.00 45 7) ot ee ee at ee 2-2 |__ 90 pte. Sas 70 45 ene 5 ees 20 1.10 45 Dow tae 2212 ey ee 94 69 Gi Pees see 38 1.30 22 Brush, temporary --_-_-_- 3-2 aaa 1919 5 43) 2 4 bse 1 70 45 PEON 35 Be eee 5 a Ot ae: eee 89 So. ape nee | 16 10 45 DELS Fas 3-2 }__.do_______ 59 a6 lite ope The ! 4 10 1 For full description of sites, see paragraphs correspondingly numbered in the Appendix, page 51. 2 From records of last examination. ? Seventh year survival, 62 per cent. 4 Seventh year surviv al, 3 per cent. 6 Fall off in survival about 2 per cent annually thereafter down to 26 per cent in seventh year. 6 Seventh year survival, 5 per cent. 7 Two per cent less two years later. 8 No loss two years later. 9 Only 1 per cent survival in fifth year. 10 Fifth year survival, 16 per cent. 41 Sixth year surviv al, 53 per cent, FOREST PLANTING IN THE INTERMOUNTAIN REGION. DF TABLE 12.—Record of experimental plantations of Douglas fir in the intermountain region—Continued. Site. Planting record. | Percentage of survival by years. Vigor- | Average ous height 1st 2d 3d 4th trees. | growth. year. | year. | year. | year. No. Description. Age. Date. Lamb’s Canyon water- shed, Wasatch National Forest, Utah: Per cent.| Inches. 47 @aksibrusha = es 3-2 | May, 1920 66 SO | Seenee een ae DA}! ae Beaver Creek watershed, 48 UAC) os) (3a aA Sey a ee 2-2 | Apr., 1915 58 Ap eis op ed ees 20) bt ee Mink Creek watershed, Cache National Forest, idaho: 30 Brush, temporary ____- S=2a Apres OSH pe ae as 96 OB alice ark 88 1. 40 30 (DO eee 2-1 | May,1917 825) Shee = 80). | eae (Us eee 39 DOSE ee eas ae 2a d Oke. ewe (Oaleee se ee GY) See 4 pi | RTE Ta 2 49 BAST OTN aioe te lh el Oke RS i Faget eee 2) | LQG eens Se 49 Obs sine. eye D2 | OO aa a to tote | eee a (3355 | eae On| Sees 49 Woes sie 2 See WSS (he eee US| Rae PAY dl Saat (fl ee ENS 49 DOr ro. 26> ee SOs) 22"GO) eas (OY A Se ee ee (Gils eee nes 3) ee eee 49 DON eos aes ie =O) eet One on AN cece ba): |S oes LD ese ae 49 DOSER 5s See PRA Oe ae Di hoes as 74 74 59 1.10 49 1D Yop See ie eee Se PN |S 86 (kee eS S40 Se GO) | Same 34) | Se ae 49 DQ ear sae Se ee Walt) || BREW ase ae SOR ee O45 eae aee 4S: |weger ee 49 ED) Qe a SS he PAvosY |S OO ee (0 ae pl 63) eee seo 20: es SES 49 LD aie a ey A 3 Apr OlS|peemeee 89 SSi teens yp a2 _ pein 49 On ate ss Bee eee See i AO OL nee 2s 95 Oya ie ape ee 95) |2 Rock Creek watershed, Targhee National For- est, Idaho: 50 Aspen, bench_________- 2-1 | June, 1917 SS me | age ea || Sa ge erp ee La 50 Aspen, north slope_____ 2-1 | Oct., 1915 50 Pata | Pee eenee Ses (22) 10 1.10 50 Aspen, bench_______._- 9/11 ees 6 (0 eee 11) | eee aSetaae | reece sal 5. - eee eee El ay en 50 Aspen, north slope____- PI) | ieee 6 (0 eee ie 5/2 Se (13) 8 1. 20 50 Aspen, bench____.___-- 2D miees Olen Bee PAG || Ppa eee | Se Sa | ee ee Darby Canyon watershed, Targhee, National For- 51 JANG) 8 (65 0 ogee 2-1 | June, 1917 Gn | Seas re 24 = - 30 12 Observation in fifth year showed 14 per cent survival. 13 Observation in fifth year showed 8 per cent survival. 2. In Utah, underplanting with Douglas fir may be done success- fully in the lower half of the aspen zone (below an altitude of 8,300 feet), the success increasing as the altitude decreases, owing mainly to the smaller losses from snow-molding. Good results may be se- cured under dense aspen where the light intensity is as low as 0.2 that of normal sunlight. (Pl. VII, fig. 1.) 3. Planting under dense aspen cover above an altitude of 8,300 feet in Tan is accompanied by uncertain results due primarily to snow molding. 4, Plantations in the open escape much of the heavy winter loss, but summer losses are considerably greater and satisfactory survival is difficult to secure except where the trees are planted on the north sides of bushes or down logs. 5. In the oak-brush zone winter loss is distinctly secondary to summer drought and frost injury, both of which increase with a decrease in altitude. These losses are reduced by planting under cover on northern aspects. 6. Flat, open, grass or sage covered areas where the trees must enter into competition with established vegetation for moisture 28 BULLETIN 1264, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. should not be considered as planting sites, as Douglas fir does not cee in full sunlight except where soil moisture is exceptionally ood. 7. The optimum planting sites for Douglas fir in Utah are old fir burns just above the brush belt, which have grown up to aspen of moderate density; old fr burns on steep northern exposures strewn with down logs or grown up to open stands of brush; and moist sites in the aspen-oak brush tension zone on slopes which have good cover and free air drainage. ENGELMANN SPRUCE. Engelmann spruce is native to the region, being found in Utah on steep northern exposures from 7,500 feet upward to the highest peaks, 10,000 feet or more in altitude. Its optimum development occurs on Fig. 5.—Development of Engelmann spruce stock of different age classes grown in the Cottonweed Nursery, Wasatch National Forest, Utah. moist, cool sites between 8,500 and 9,500 feet. Even here it seldom forms extensive stands on flats or southern exposures, but in these places appears as scattered individual trees or in clumps with hmber pine (Pinus jlerilis) and aspen. Alpine fir is a constant associate of Engelmann spruce throughout the type. Classes of planting stock.—Four age classes of Engelmann spruce have been considered from time to time as having possibilities in field planting. These are 2-2, 3-0, 3-1, and 3-2, a comparison of which is shown in Table 13. 2-1 stock is entirely too small for field use, besides being too small to transplant satisfactorily when 2 years old. 2-2 stock is also objectionable because of the latter fact. Under normal conditions 3-year-old seedlings have reached a suitable size to be transplanted and yet do not have oversized tops. . However, this class of stock is distinctly lacking in fibrous root development, as may be seen from Figure 5. With one additional year in the transplant bed an excellent balance between root and top is usually developed. An abnormally short growing season the first year in FOREST PLANTING IN THE INTERMOUNTAIN REGION. 29 the transplant bed sometimes makes 3-2 stock more desirable than 3-1 stock. From Table 13 it may also be seen that although in normal seasons 3-1 stock is preferable, 3-2 stock can be satisfactory. TaBLE 13.—Comparison of age classes of Engelmann spruce stock. ‘ jameter | Average verage verage verage Age class. SE ee ee ofstem | length length weight weight t NS tree a 3 $ at root oftop. | ofroot. oftop. | of root. of Vere collar. plant. Inches. Inches. Inches. Grams. Grams. | Per cent. 2-2'(1919) ie ee RCCOSSsaetn ee ee 0. 20 ie 11.6 Ta22 3. 54 Aaa S=GIOLG) ae = es aoe SI get. COE sere Sek ee 8 6 5.9 9.9 6. 96 2.98 30. 0 3=23(1920) se sete st Gunnison sce. 2 =e . 20 5.6 11.9 8. 44 4.98 S¥iell SF) (iGVAD) eee Wiasdtehi ase 2s be a8 .08 3. 4 9.7 1. 46 . 65 30.8 SOO Z Ieee Gruinmisoneses = see .14 6.8 9.6 4.65 aul 19.3 SH IG2T) eon ae PEDO UE ees ee Siti 3.8 9.2 2. iy 45.4 5a 13. 0 6. 40 3} GY 35. 5 Sites suitable for Hngelmann spruce.—This species has been planted principally in the natural spruce zone. However, a few plantations have been made outside, and therefore the altitude of these tests ranges from 7,400 to 10,000 feet. The majority of the plantations were confined to old burns in the spruce zone either strewn with logs, bare, or grown up to grass or underbrush, and to aspen stands poe with and without a dense undergrowth of shrubs and herbaceous ants. The survival in the plantations and percentage of vigorous trees at. the last examination are given in Table 14. The differences in the survival on the different sites are worthy of note. An old burn having an open brush cover and down logs scattered over it had a survival of 84 per cent at the end of the fourth year. Two planta- tzons on old log-strewn burns had survivals of 59 and 47 per cent at the end of the fourth year. There was an almost complete survival of those trees which were planted on the north side of logs, stumps, or bushes, while most of those without protection were dead. An adjacent plantation in a dense stand of brush gave poorer results, a survival of 24 per cent with only 17 per cent of vigorous trees at the end of the fourth year. Poorer results were secured under aspen, but this site is undoubtedly better adapted to Douglas fir than to Hngelmann spruce. 80 BULLETIN 1264, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TaBLE 14.—Record of experimental plantations of Engelmann spruce in the inter- mountain region. Site. Planting record. | Percentage of survival by years. 2 Vigor- | Average 1st 2d 3d 4th ous | height ae ee No. Description. Date. year. | year. | year. | year. trees.2 | growth.* Ephraim Canyon water- shed, Manti National Forest, Utah: Per cent.| Inches. 32 Dense. aspen-— 445-5. -2 June, 1913 95 82 79 874 0.7 32 [3 1) pre ee eee ee June, 1917 84 pat] rai pn Re 13 .4 32 Aspen, 34-density_____- June, 1913 | 93 72 60 447 | 16 1.0 32 CS eee eee Se June, 1917 $3 67 iz i aS 52 a 32 Aspen, 14-density_____- June, 1913 &4 53 46 5 34 + 1.9 32 7 eee RS ee June, 1917 49 13 ee | Ey mere ee 32 Aspen, 14-density_____- June, 1913 88 43 31 21 32 ‘DP ee spend ve Sees June, 1917 50 15) 2 eee AS. Pe es ee 32 Cleared aspen___-____- June, 1913 75 22 16 Cs i eee) Sl i ee 32 Of) eee ee June, 1917 23 & 4os- =. Sis | Oaks) Soe 52 Heavy aspen___---_--- aa eee © 16: |e de a ee ee bn ete HERES 52 Light aspen___________ 2 Tee o 30 Fo ccna SS | eS ee 52 Open aspen___________- E¥ do. oe | eens a Ce 1 |... - ee 37 Burn, grassy_5. 22/5. June, 1913 84 46 |. 38 8 25 10 1.4 53 Burn, Open 2a 3-1 | June, 1917 $9 95 81 84 67 LE? Big Cottonwood water- shed, Wasatch National Forest, Utah: 54 Aspen, northeast slope_| 3-1 | June, 1917 77 50 50 | 39 26 .8 55 Plo reek Se a ites 3-142. dose 84 46 40 37 30 AS 55 iB GW eee. es oo ES Bp Rapes (see a 82 ol 47 43 33 5d 55 Do 2a S|. do a 99 90 89 86 79 =r 56 DO 921 Se FS es 2-2 } June, 1919 97 GOL 22 eee 33 .6 56 Doss hos ae 3) LE dose 2 98 5 Gal (Se ee a SPS 63 .4 56 1D rae OL EAM ek SOR SE itdo ls 2s 76 LN 2 A ae ee |S TS Pa 26 st 56 Deis Bs Sao ee 3-2 | May, 1920 ry) ee a. A eae 5h 5 eee 56 dT i Et Is Sh f= doe OO =: Meee ee. | nee 100 ee ii Aspen, west slope______ 2-1 | May, 1918 83 29 i 2G Shape 6 a 58 Burn, log-strewn_-__-__- 3-1 | June, 1917 83 7 68 59 50 .6 59 DO.