Abies Concolor (Gord
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Abies concolor (Gord. & Glend.) Lindl. ex Hildebr. White Fir Pinaceae Pine family Robert J. Laacke Long considered undesirable for timber, white fir 1500 mm (59 in) or more are not uncommon, however (Abies concolor) is finally being recognized as a high- (21). Essentially, all precipitation occurs during the ly productive, valuable tree species. White fir reaches nongrowing season. Fall and early spring rains are its best development and maximum size in the a major portion of the precipitation at lower eleva- central Sierra Nevada of California, where the record tions and winter snowpacks provide more than 80 specimen is 58.5 m (192 ft) tall and measures 271 cm percent of the moisture at high elevations (57). Oc- (106.6 in) in d.b.h. (7). Large but not exceptional casional summer thundershowers are usually light. specimens, on good sites, range from 40 to 55 m (131 Growth studies on Swain Mountain Experimental to 180 ft) tall and from 99 to 165 cm (39 to 65 in) in Forest, in the southern Cascades of California, indi- d.b.h. in California and southwestern Oregon and to cate that high-elevation stands of California white fir 41 m (134 ft) tall and 124 cm (49 in) in d.b.h. in grow best in years with precipitation as low as 38 Arizona and New Mexico (37). percent of normal (45). At these elevations low Needle form and terpene content vary sufficiently precipitation usually means early snowmelt and a across the wide range of the species to warrant longer growing season (54). definition of two varieties: the typical var. concolor, white fir, often called Rocky Mountain white fir, oc- cupies the eastern and southwestern part of the Soils and Topography range; var. Zowiana (Gord.) Lemm., California white fir, grows in the western range (31). In this paper, Throughout its natural range, white fir grows on “white fir” applies to both varieties. a variety of soils developed from almost every kind of parent material. These materials include recent Habitat volcanic and igneous rocks of nearly all compositions, large areas of intrusives (mostly granites), and Native Range various metamorphics, including serpentine. Sedimentary materials range from limestone, The native range of white fir (fig. 1) extends from sandstone, and shale to unconsolidated Pleistocene the mountainous regions of the Pacific coast to lake deposits (5,21,22). These soils fall into the In- central Colorado, and from central Oregon and ceptisol, Entisol, Al&sol, and Ultisol soil orders. Al- southeastern Idaho to northern Mexico (21). fisols are most frequently found at the lower eleva- tions in California where white fir is a component of Climate the Sierra Nevada Mixed Conifer Type. White fir is generally tolerant of a wide range of Rocky Mountain white fir grows on high moun- soil conditions, nutrient availability, and pH values. tains, typically with long winters, moderate to heavy It seems to be more dependent on moisture snowpacks, and short growing seasons. Annual availability and temperature than on soil series. In precipitation ranges from about 510 mm (20 in) to at least one area of summer-dry Mediterranean slightly more than 890 mm (35 in). In the central climate, productive stands of white fir may utilize Rocky Mountains, rainfall is distributed evenly water obtained from shattered or otherwise porous during the summer months. In Arizona and New bedrock well below the maximum soil depth (8). Mexico, summer tends to be wetter than spring (37). Growth and development are best on moderately California white fir grows in cold, high elevations deep and well-drained sandy-loam to clay-loam soils, and in warm-to-hot low elevations. Precipitation ran- regardless of parent material. High-elevation fir ges from 890 mm (35 in) to 1900 mm (75 in) or more forests respond strongly to nitrogen fertilizer because per year. California white fir grows best in the low temperatures inhibit decay and natural release southern Cascades and western slopes of the Sierra of nitrogen from the forest floor (49). Nevada, where precipitation is generally between California white fir is moderately sensitive to ex- 990 and 1240 mm (39 to 49 in). Locations receiving cess soil moisture and invades high-elevation meadows by growing near older lodgepole pine, taking advantage of relatively dry ground created by The author is Research Forester, Pacific Southwest Forest and the pine roots. A similar pattern of meadow invasion Range Experiment Station, Berkeley, CA. can develop where radiational heat loss on clear, cold 36 Abies concolor lio" ) /I I hn , ’ 37 Figure l- The native range of California white fir (left) and Rocky Mountain white fir (right). Abies concolor nights is significant. In these situations, the frost- California black oak (Quercus kelloggii) G&47). In sensitive fir is protected by the pine foliage. the central Sierra Nevada, white fir is a major as- The species grows on various types of terrain, in- sociate of the relatively rare giant sequoia (Se- cluding the extremely steep and unstable slopes of quoiadendron giganteum) (21). Species mix varies the geologically young Coast Ranges in northwestern with elevation, site, and latitude. White fir is more California. It develops best on gentle slopes and level abundant on the cooler, wetter sites. ground. Elevations range from a minimum of 600 m California white fir is a major climax component (1,970 ft) in the headwaters of the Willamette River throughout the mixed conifer forests within its of central Oregon to a maximum of almost 3400 m range. It is displaced successionally only at its north- (11,150 ft) east of the continental divide in central ern limits in Oregon, where western hemlock (Tsuga Colorado. Lower and upper elevational limits in- heterophylla) and perhaps western redcedar (Thuja crease from north to south and from west to east as plicata) replace white fir as a climax species on temperatures, distance from the Pacific Ocean, or moister sites (22). At the upper elevational limits of both increase. Most California white fir in the Sierra the mixed conifer forest, white fir dominates, oc- Nevada is found at elevations between 1200 and casionally forming pure stands. Still higher, white fir 2100 m (3,900 and 6,900 ft). It grows at elevations of mixes with California red fir (A. magnifica) in tran- 1500 to 3000 m (4,900 to 9,800 ft) in the San Ber- sition to the red fir type. In the southern Sierra nardino Mountains of southern California. Rocky Nevada, white fir in this transition zone generally Mountain white fir is found most frequently at eleva- tolerates canopy closure better and dominates on tions between 2100 and 2700 m (6,900 and 8,900 ft) nutrient-rich sites (46). Lodgepole pine is common in (21,22,47). these white fir and mixed fir forests, growing around meadows and along streams (fig. 2). Individuals of Associated Forest Cover Jeffrey pine, western white pine (I? monticola), and sugar pine are scattered through the forest (47). In Oregon, scattered western hemlocks are also found The most common associates of California white fir c.22). in the mixed conifer forests of California and Oregon At low elevations California white fir is an aggres- include grand fir (Abies grandis), Pacific madrone sive, tolerant species that appears to have been held (Arbutus menziesii), tanoak (Lithocarpus den- in check by frequent natural fires. Extensive fire siflorus), incense-cedar (Libocedrus decurrens), control efforts, however, have reduced fire frequency. ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), lodgepole pine (P. As a result, white fir is becoming a major stand contorta), sugar pine (I? lambertiana), Jeffrey pine component in California at elevations and on sites (P jeffreyi), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), and where originally it was minor (48). Dense fir regeneration beneath older stands of less tolerant trees is common and threatens a major change in species composition. In many places, especially with giant sequoia, such changes are undesirable, and control measures, including reintroduction of fire, are necessary. In Arizona and New Mexico, Rocky Mountain white fir (fig. 1) is a major climax component in 11 major habitat types and phases (42). Listed in se- quence-from warm and dry low-elevation to cool and moist high-elevation environments-these habitat types include ponderosa pine/Arizona fescue, white fir/Arizona fescue, white fir-Douglas-fir, white fir-Douglas-fir/Gambel oak, white fir-Douglas- fir/Rocky/Mountain maple, and blue spruce-Engel- mann spruce/forb (Senecio spp.). White fir is a minor climax component in the Douglas-fir-southwestern white pine/grass (Muhlenbergia spp.), blue spruce- Douglas-fir, and blue spruce/sedge (Carex spp.) Figure S-Small woodland meadow at 1920 m (6,300 ft) in a habitat types. Additional associates are subalpine California white +-California red fir forest. Downed log in and corkbark firs. Aspen (Populus tremuloides) is a foreground and trees in background are lodgepole pine. major seral species in many areas. 38 Abies concolor A variety of woody brush species can assume major old branches, usually in the uppermost crown al- importance in much of the white fir range, par- though both male and female cones are occasionally ticularly in mixed conifer zones. Following drastic found on the same branch. California white fir disturbance, brush can quickly occupy and dominate flowers in May or June and fertilization occurs short- a site. Common species include mountain ly thereafter. Flowering of Rocky Mountain white fir whitethorn, deerbrush, and other Ceanothus species, at the higher elevations may be delayed and extend manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.), currant and into July. Female cones reach full size, 7.5 to 13 cm gooseberry (Ribes spp.), several chinkapins (Cus- (3 to 5 in) long, in late summer and turn from tanopsis spp.), and a few oaks (Quercus spp.) (21,22).