RECOVERY PROCESSES OF PONDEROSA PINE REPRODUCTION FOLLOWING INJURY TO YOUNG ANNUAL GROWTH

In the plateau region of northern Arizona peculiar geologic formations account for the lack of the living natural waters that are typical of most high mountain districts. They also exert a profound influence on the plant growth, and the character of forage through their effect on soil and available moisture. In the forested areas most affected by these formations animals are particularly apt to browse pine reproduction. Tip moths are also very destructive in places, sometimes over large areas. Thus control of injury to young trees, the future forest, is an important problem in the management of these forest lands. In order to exercise proper control, it is necessary to know at least something of what constitutes serious injury. This depends not only on the degree to which pine seedlings are damaged but also on the power they have to recover. This recovery phase of the problem was investigated in connection with a long-time range-timber reproduction study. Recovery was found to depend principally on the powers ponderosa pine has to replace lost shoots through the development of extraordinary buds.