Guide to the Blacks Mountain Experimental Forest - A sustained yield experiment in ponderosa pine in northeastern California
| Authors: | E.I. Kotok |
| Year: | 1938 |
| Type: | Miscellaneous |
| Station: | Pacific Southwest Research Station |
| Source: | Berkeley, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, California Forest and Range Experiment Station. 27 p |
Abstract
Experimental forests, watersheds, and ranges are the field laboratories in the research structure of the Forest Service. The California Forest and Range Experiment Station maintains four experimental forests representing the more important timber types in the Pine Region.
The Blacks Mountain Experimental Forest represents the ponderosa pine type of California's northeastern plateau, commonly called "east slope" pine. The type occupies approximately 3,700,000 acres of which about 2,700,000 acres are virgin timber. Lumber is the principal source of income from land in this type. A severe climate restricts present agriculture to grazing of sheep and cattle. Watershed values are of minor consequence because of low gradients, pervious soils, light precipitation, and closed drainages. Recreational values are.comparatively limited, being restricted to a few areas of high scenic interest and to deer hunting.
The lumber from virgin stands is of exceptional quality because of uniform slow growth and great age of the timber, the better grades competing successfully in markets throughout the country. Poor site quality, reflected in slow growth, and prevalent insect losses are features discouraging continuous forest management. Heavy liquidation cutting now being practiced probably will seriously deplete the virgin timber in 15 or 20 years.
¹ Kotok was the Station Director at the time of publishing, but was likely not the author.