| Western
Pine Structure |
Don
Bertolette |
| Dec
08, 2002 18:51 PST |
Bob-
Re architectural differences of western pines, the ponderosa
pine is most like the eastern deciduous tree, in that
old-growth stands are likely to have rounded crown tops
(perhaps genetic expression of mature expenditure of energies,
perhaps a function of inclement weather conditions up there,
often characterized by the gnarly stag-headed branching that
often characterized OG species in NE). Jeffrey pines are
insignificantly different from ponderosa (in fact they
hybridize at their overlapping range extents). Sugar pines
(could send some good image examples) tend to be ideal, with
erect pointy tops. Now our western hemlocks present a
challenge with a characteristic droopy leader (also shared by
the relic Brewer's spruce), that I think varies some with
temperature/relative humidity/moisture content. Although not
often tall, the western juniper also characteristically has a
rounded crown (don't have digital image, but wj's are probably
my favorite tree for pure ancient appearance).
-Don
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