Effect of ceanothus brush on western yellow pine plantations in the northern Rocky Mountains

Abstract

Forest planting in the northern Rocky Mountain region is largely confined to areas that have been burned over twice, the second burning occurring during recent years. Planting crews can operate on these "double burns'' with relative ease because the fires have removed shrubs and other obstructions. Unfortunately planting activity on forest lands is not keeping pace with the accumulation of areas denuded by fire, and as time passes these lands rapidly revert to shrubby growth from the uninjured roots of the original bushes and from wind-borne seeds. Released from competition, other than that of herbaceous plants, the bushes frequently usurp the area. This is especially true of Ceanothus velutinus on southerly slopes. Certain areas are considered "too brushy to plant'' because of the mechanical hindrance of the bushes. On other areas those in charge of this work feel uncertain as to whether or not the beneficial effect of shade from the bushes is greater than the detrimental effect of root competition. Hence, when confronted with a bush in his path, the planter lacks instructions about the proper location of his seedlings. Each planter, therefore, follows the line of least resistance by avoiding the bushes as much as possible and setting his trees in the intervening spaces. A desire for definite information as a basis for improved practice led to the experiments reported here.

Citation

Wahlenberg, W. G. 1930. Effect of ceanothus brush on western yellow pine plantations in the northern Rocky Mountains. Journal of Agricultural Research. 41(8): 601-612.