The Lodgepole Pine, or Pinus contorta, got its name from having its layered planks which were used by the Native American's to build their lodges. This tree has a tall straight trunk with a narrow pine structure and is native to the Rocky Mountain and Cascade Sierra Rangers and grows throughout the Interior of the tree. It is one of the most abundant conifers. Their needles are 2-3 inches long and are usually found in bundles of two. The cones from this tree are generally 1-2 inches long, with an outer layer of pitch that protects it and requires heat and fire to release seeds. The Lodgepole Pine requires more water to survive opposed to the Douglas-fir and Ponderosa. It can also tolerate high water tables. This pine is highly adaptable and can grow in a variety of different environments including water logged bogs and dry sandy soils. The melting snow in the spring helps the tree for rapid growth in the early summer also. The Lodgepole prefers to live in areas that recieve full sunlight because after a fire takes place the Lodgepole Pine can utilize this place and grow in the Pioneer community. It is usually the first to invade after a wildfire filling the niche making homes for animals and plants. It also provides a home and food for squirrels, small birds and the porcupine. They also create a niche by growing in areas that have bare ground. The trees create new niches as they move into the area by helping plants that maybe can’t survive in a lot of sunlight.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Flora Report-The Lodgepole Pine Tree
The Lodgepole Pine, or Pinus contorta, got its name from having its layered planks which were used by the Native American's to build their lodges. This tree has a tall straight trunk with a narrow pine structure and is native to the Rocky Mountain and Cascade Sierra Rangers and grows throughout the Interior of the tree. It is one of the most abundant conifers. Their needles are 2-3 inches long and are usually found in bundles of two. The cones from this tree are generally 1-2 inches long, with an outer layer of pitch that protects it and requires heat and fire to release seeds. The Lodgepole Pine requires more water to survive opposed to the Douglas-fir and Ponderosa. It can also tolerate high water tables. This pine is highly adaptable and can grow in a variety of different environments including water logged bogs and dry sandy soils. The melting snow in the spring helps the tree for rapid growth in the early summer also. The Lodgepole prefers to live in areas that recieve full sunlight because after a fire takes place the Lodgepole Pine can utilize this place and grow in the Pioneer community. It is usually the first to invade after a wildfire filling the niche making homes for animals and plants. It also provides a home and food for squirrels, small birds and the porcupine. They also create a niche by growing in areas that have bare ground. The trees create new niches as they move into the area by helping plants that maybe can’t survive in a lot of sunlight.
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Re-read the second sentence regarding the "Interior of the tree" as it doesn't seem to fit in this sentence! Great connections made to the success of this tree after a fire and its role in succession. Just read through to see where you can break some of these sentences apart to add clarity.
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