Treesearch

Samples taken May 25, Sept. 2, and Dec. 8, 1964, indicated that leaves were the only fuel components of live chamise with appreciable seasonal moisture fluctuation. A close relationship in fuel moistures existed between like components from the different shrubs sampled. Dead chamise showed little or no variation due to fuel size or season of the year.

Nine years of removal of infections and prevention of seeding of dwarfmistletoe from a young mixed Jeffrey-ponderosa pine stand failed to eliminate the parasite. Spread of the parasite back into the experimental plot from infected trees outside averaged about 0.9 feet per year. One tree in 23 appeared to show some resistance to infection. Jeffrey pine had almost twice as many infections per tree as ponderosa pine.

The sagebrush defoliator was responsible for varying degrees of sagebrush defoliation and mortality over a widespread area in southeastern Oregon, northeastern California, and northwestern Nevada in 1963 and 1964. Severe defoliation sometimes killed sagebrush in a single season. Indications are that the outbreak will continue at least another season. A. websteri has a single annual generation. It is attacked by several species of parasites and predators; the most important of these in California was a Copidosoma.

Photography has long been a useful tool for recording and analyzing environmental conditions. Permanent camera points can be established to help detect ,and analyze changes in the esthetics and ecology of wildland resources. This note describes the usefulness of permanent camera points and outlines procedures for establishing points and recording data.

Five meshes (1/8 to 1 inch) of 16-gauge steel wire fences, 3 feet high, were tested as possible ground fire barriers in 4 fuel types. The 1/8-inch mesh stopped only 1 test fire but retarded others; 1/4-inch mesh retarded some. The results suggest that further trials may be worthwhile.

A prototype ignition package containing an incendiary powder and designed for slash and brush burning jobs showed some promise, but the unit tested was not superior to such conventional devices as fusees, diesel backpack type flamethrowers, Very pistols, and drip torches.

Greenhouse and nursery studies suggest that graphs of "effective" day and night temperatures provide a convenient method to compare nursery sites and to evaluate the effects of temperature on seedling root growth. Comparisons of root response under different natural temperature regimes should provide inforrnation use ful 'for the production of higher quality nursery stock and for interpretation of the more detailed studies in controlled-temperature chambers.

Under the short growing season of the Sierra Nevada, both flowering and seed dispersal of Arceuthobium campylopodum occurred earlier in the fall and dispersal extended for a shorter duration than at lower elevations and along the coast of California. Also in years of above normal surrmer temperatures, flowering and seed dispersal occurred earlier in the season than in years of below normal temperature.

Measurements were taken of 25 exotic tree species planted in 1959 in the Waiakea Arboretum near Hilo, Hawaii. After 5 years, some species show good survival and growth, but seven pines failed to survive. All plantings have suffered from shallow soil, and competition from wild vegetation.

A heavy stand of conifer saplings and poles on the Stanislaus National Forest was thinned, piled, and chipped. The study sought to determine the amount of material removed and the cost of chipping. Slash disposal costs were $9.66 per ton for dry material, and $11.81 per ton for green slash.