Underwood Conservation District
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Conifer Descriptions
Common Name: Douglas Fir Scientific
Name: Pseudotsuga menziesii ~ There are two subspecies of
Douglas Fir; the Coast Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga
menziesii var. menziesii) which
occurs along the Pacific coast and western Cascades, and the Distribution: The native range of the
Coastal Douglas Fir extends from the Coastal Range of California in the
south, to central Growth
Habit: Douglas
Fir can reach 200 feet high and the trunk can grow up to 4 feet in diameter. Adaptability: Douglas Fir is adapted to grow throughout the range described above. It grows on soils that vary from moist to dry. It is not very tolerant of soils that are compacted or poorly drained. Young seedlings and saplings will tolerate some shade, but require ample sunlight to reach maturity. Comments: The
importance of Douglas Fir to the region cannot be understated. It is a major component of forests
throughout
Common Name: Giant Sequoia Scientific Name: Sequoiadendron gigantea Distribution: Giant
Sequoia is not native to Growth
Habit: As the
name implies, Giant Sequoia grows to become a large tree. The tallest specimen is the ‘General Grant’
tree in Adaptability: Giant Sequoias have been grown
in Comments: Giant Sequoia is used
primarily as an ornamental in the region.
Its value as a timber tree for this region has been studied. There is an 80 year-old plantation in Grand Fir
Common Name: Grand Fir Scientific Name: Abies grandis Distribution: Grand Fir
occurs through out the Growth Habit: Grand Fir lives to an average
age of 250 years, although trees can be found over 300 years old. During that time they can grow from 140 to
200 feet tall, with a trunk that can reach 60 inches in diameter. Its growth rate is rapid as a sapling and
young pole. Growth rates of 31 to 35
inches per year have been noted in Adaptability: Grand Fir is adapted to a wide range of sites. It often occurs in moist sites such as
valleys and stream bottoms. It is also
found as an upland species, growing on drier soils, particularly in the
inland Northwest. Restoration: Grand Fir is
an adaptable restoration species. When
planted in moist sites, it can grow vigorously enough to compete with other
species. On drier upland sites it
often occurs as a shade-tolerant understory species, eventually growing to a
dominant climax species when conditions are suitable. Comments: Grand Fir
was first named by the Botanist David Douglas because of its great height,
although its height is intermediate for true firs of the region. Its needles are perhaps its most
distinctive feature. They are
exceptionally large, flat, and dark green among true firs, and are strongly
flattened along the stem in 2 very distinct ranks of needles, which smell ‘catty’ when crushed. In fact, this distinctive odor is the
reason Abies grandis has another
lesser used common name; Stinking Fir. Noble Fir
Common
Name: Noble Fir Scientific
Name: Abies
procera (syn. A. noblis) Distribution: The native range of Noble Fir is
limited to the Cascade and Growth Habit: Noble
Fir can reach 200 feet tall and the trunk can grow up to 4 feet in diameter. Adaptability: Noble Fir is
adapted to grow throughout the region.
It grows on a wide range of soils, providing adequate moisture and
drainage is available. It grows on all
landforms, from rugged slopes to valley bottoms, although stands are better
suited to gentle terrain. It is not
tolerant of much shade. Comments:
Noble Fir is important ecologically,
culturally, and economically. Its wood is the strongest of the true firs, as
well as the largest. Its lumber is
valued in the building industry. The
high strength to weight ratio of the lumber has also made it useful in
aircraft production, most notably the British Mosquito fighter in WW II. Noble Fir has become an ever increasingly
important species in the Christmas tree industry. Ponderosa Pine
Common Name: Ponderosa Pine, Yellow Pine, Bull Pine Scientific Name: Pinus ponderosa Distribution: The native range of Ponderosa
Pine extends from southern Growth Habit: Ponderosa
Pine can grow to over 100 feet tall and the trunk can reach 3 feet in
diameter. Adaptability: Ponderosa Pine is adapted to grow throughout the region. It grows in a wide range of soils, where adequate moisture and drainage is available. It is usually found in areas that receive from 14 to 30 inches of precipitation annually, with much of coming in the form of snow in the winter. It is tolerant of minimal precipitation in the summer months, although it typically survives seasonal droughts better in medium and courser textured soils, where moisture is less tightly bound in the soil. It is generally considered intolerant of shade. Ample sunlight is important for good vigor. Comments: Ponderosa Pine is one of the
most widely distributed pines in western Western Larch
Common Name: Western Larch, Tamarack Scientific Name: Larix
occidentalis Distribution: Western
Larch is predominantly found in the Northeast region of Growth Habit: Western Larch is the only deciduous conifer currently native to this region. Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides), another deciduous conifer, was present until 13 million years ago, when an ice age obliterated it. Larch is a vigorous, upright tree. It can exceed 150 feet tall, with a straight trunk that grows to 3 feet in diameter. Comments: Western Larch is an important commercial species. The wood is strong with a long, straight grain. It is used in construction where exceptionally strong wood is required. It is often found as a pioneering species, and is therefore a good species for use in open, disturbed restoration sites. Its seeds are eaten by several species of birds and mammals, and grouse eat the fallen needles. Its bright gold autumn color is valued in the ornamental industry, and even more spectacular in large native stands. Western Red Cedar
Common Name: Western Red Cedar Scientific Name: Thuja
plicata Distribution: The native range of Western Red Cedar
extends along the Pacific coast from Growth Habit: Western Red Cedar can grow to over
150 feet tall, and trunk diameter can exceed 6 feet in a good, open
site. It also grows in the shade as an
understory species, but at a much slower rate. Adaptability: Western Red
Cedar is adapted to grow through out the range mentioned above. It will grow in full sun to shade, although
the growth rates can be very slow in deep shade. Western Red Cedar grows in a wide range of
soil types, but it is best adapted to soils that are moist and fine
textured. It can be abundant in
forested swamps, and riparian areas. It can also be found on drier upland
sites, west of the Cascades. Comments:
Western Red Cedar is an ecological,
economic, and culturally valuable species in the region. It is often a vital component of healthy,
functioning riparian habitat. A mature
tree provides shade, stream-side stabilization and wildlife habitat. Browsing
damage caused by deer, elk, and rodents can result in significant damage to
young seedlings and saplings, and may require appropriate protection. Western White Pine
Common Name: Western White Pine Scientific Name: Pinus
monticola Distribution: The native range of Western White
Pine extends from eastern Growth Habit: Western White Pine can reach over 200
feet high and the trunk can grow up to 6 feet in diameter. In areas unaffected by White Pine Blister
Rust, specimens can be found over 300 years old. Mature trees typically have long straight
trunks with minimal tapering and a narrow crown. Adaptability: Western White Pine is adapted to
grow throughout the region at varying elevations. It tolerates a wide range of precipitation
and temperature regimes. It is best
suited to sites that are well drained with good exposure however. Comments: Western White Pine has been a very
important timber species in this region historically. It still is, but to a lesser degree due to
a disease that was devastating to endemic populations. White Pine Blister Rust is a fungal disease
that can kill trees across large areas.
Over time, trees that have shown some resistance to this pathogen have
been selected for breeding stock.
Trees resulting from this process have been placed in seed orchards to
produce White Pine Blister Rust resistant seeds for propagation. The PMC grows only trees that are
propagated from White Pine Blister Rust resistant seed. Information
taken from WACD. |
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