Swain Mountain Experimental Forest
Introduction
The Swain Mountain Experimental Forest was formally designated on March 22, 1932,
as a place for field studies and demonstration of forest management practices in
the true-fir types of California. Chosen specifically for the quality and extent
of the fir timber present, the 2492-hectare Experimental Forest occupies all of
Swain Mountain, a volcanic cone composed of vesicular andesite and ash. Stand
volume can be high, up to 2058 cubic meters per hectare on one 1.6- hectare block,
although the virgin stands more commonly contain 840-1120 cubic meters per hectare.
The Experimental Forest largely sat idle for about 20 years until,
in the early 1950's, preparation for an active program of regeneration
research began with forest type mapping and construction of the initial
road system. Initial research was to determine factors related to wind
damage in the old-growth stands and to develop criteria for selection of
wind fir seed trees. Seed dispersal was measured for both red fir
(Abies magnifica A. Murr.) and white fir
(Abies concolor var. lowiana [Gord.] Lemm.). Relationships between natural
regeneration and site factors such as soil temperature and moisture,
insolation intensity, site preparation and competing vegetation were explored.
Snow surveys were taken for nearly 15 years in the clearcut and unlogged stands.
Cone production in uncut stands and along clearcut strips was followed for 16 years.
The second round of heavy research cutting in the early 1970's
centered again on natural regeneration and the impact of shelterwood
density and clearcut size and shape. During the 1960's and 1970's,
studies of impacts of dwarf mistletoe and fertilization began as did
studies of growth and yield of mixed fir stands. Lont-term studies of
response of severely suppressed true fir to release from overstrory
competition were installed. The information gained from this work
constitutes the basis for true fir management in California.
The third period of heavy cutting is to extend the shelterwood
research results to operationally large areas and create extensive
acreage of fir regenration for future research. To these ends about
one third of the Forest was harvested (shelterwood cutting) over a
three year period beginning in 1970. These stands have regenerated
early results were published by Gordon (1979).
Location
Swain Mountain lies at latitude 40°25' N., and longitude 121°06' W.,
13 kilometers north of Westwood, California. The Experimental Forest
covers the entire mountain and rises from 1737 to 2149 meters above mean sea level.
The Forest can be reached via County Road A-21, a paved road that is
kept clear of snow all winter. Neither the approximately 1.6 kilometers
of all-weather road between the highway and the Forest, not the extensive
road network on the Forest are kept open during winter. Access between
approximately mid-December and early May is limited to snowmobile, skis,
or similar transportation. All of the current 41.8 kilometers of all-weather
road is accessible by automobile, except when limited by snow. All parts
of the forest are easily reachable by short walk, over gentle terrain.
Climate
The climate at Swain Mountain can be classified as cool and moist
even though there is a 4- to 5-month summer dry spell. Precipitation
averages from 1243 to 1270 millimeters per year, almost all of which falls
between October and March. Eighty percent of the moisture falls as snow,
and snowpacks of 3 to 4 meters are common in February. In exceptionally
wet years with late spring snows, drifts can persist until late July.
Between April ( or May) and October, precipitation is negligible and from
scattered thunder showers. Winter temperatures generally do not fall
below -23° C and summer temperatures only occasionally exceed 29° C.
Average monthly minimum and maximum air temperatures range between -17°
and 4° C for January and between 4° and 27° C for July.
Plant Communities
The forest cover types on the Experimental Forest include large
areas of Red Fir (SAF 207), White Fir (SAF 211), and small areas
of Lodgepole Pine (SAF 218) cover types (Eyre 1980). White fir
predominates at the low to mid elevations (1737 to 1890 m) with
the proportion of red fir increasing with increasing elevation to
the top at 2149 meters. Together, the true fir occupy 1821 hectares.
Lodgepole pine (pinus contorta Dougl. ex Laud.) grows throughout the
forest associated with meadows, but forms pure stands only on the lowest
elevations and in areas of shallow soils or high water tables. There are
178 hectares in lodegepole pine. Approximately 445 hectares on the south
slope of the mountain are occupied by an old brushfield that has been
planted to ponderosa pine and Jeffrey pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex.
Laws and Pinus jeffreyi Grev. & Balf).
Related Links
Publications
Contact
Martin W. Ritchie
Literature Cited
Eyre, F.H. ed. 1980. Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. Washington DC: Society of American Foresters; 148 p.
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