2012-10-01_REVISION - M1977305 (14)

Home Browse Search

Range in Elevation :'recipitation Range: Average Annual Temperature: Frost Free Period: STATES 9_ a? :ITENT OF AGRICULTURE Soil Conservation Service ^olorado DOU _ALAS FIR J SITE D IPTtOIS (T _ iL ia� . �. 1 7,500 - 9,000 (San Luis valley 8,500 - 9,500) 18 -24" 37 - 42 F 30 to 60 days Technical Guide Se-' II -F Woodland Resource Area 48 -49 January 1, 1966 Associated species; In the lower and middle elevations it is associated with Ponderosa Pine and Concolor (white) fir and aspen. In the upper elevations it will be associated with Engleman spruce, Sub - alpine fir and aspen. Douglas fir is seldom a pure type, but will vary from 40 to 90 percent of the overstory. In some localities Limber pine may be present. Associated Understory plants: Kinnikinnick, Boxleaf myrtle, common juniper, oregon grape, Gambel oak, snowberry, mountain muhly, Idaho fescue, Thurbers fescue, elk sedge, Fendlers bluegrass, squirreltail. Effect of Aspect and Position: Douglas fir and its associated species prefer north and east facing aspects. It is only occasionally found on south and west facing aspects. Douglas fir also prefers mid and lower slope positions, but may be found on upper slopes and occasionally ridges. Ate Index: Low to high site quality - approximately 40 to 90 site index. Light Tolerance: Douglas fir is moderately tolerant to shade. Uses for Species: Lumber, ;hristmas trees, posts, poles, ties, mine props, pulp Douglas fir is usually called Red Spruce by loggers and lumbermen. Spacing requirements: Because of its tolerance to shade, thinning is usually no recommended. Ability to reproduce naturally: Requires some shading of the site. Reproduces well in most of its range. :razing Use: Provides grazing only in older stands in openings or parks in the site. Season of use is the same as for Mountain Loam range site. Other: Low and medium sites are usually more profitable when managed for Christmas tree production. A good six foot ';hristmas tree will bring as much money as a ,/, cr lc inch diameter tree sold on the stump as a sawlog. It requires consider - abel.r less time to grow it also.