Lodgepole Pine on Pikes Peak 2014
by Greg Reed
Title
Lodgepole Pine on Pikes Peak 2014
Artist
Greg Reed
Medium
Photograph - Photo
Description
Lodgepole pine forests grow and die uniformly. Most of Colorado’s lodgepole pine forests developed following hot, stand-replacing crown fires. Lodgepole pine is intolerant to shade and thrives in the aftermath of fire; many lodgepole produce serotinous cones, which open in response to extreme heat and release an abundance of seeds. These long-lived cones may remain viable for decades, waiting for a fire to release their seeds. The prolific regeneration that naturally occurs in the open, sunny areas left in the fire’s wake often results in dense stands of 20,000 or more trees per acre. These forests often are referred to as dog-hair stands.
Lodgepole pine forests blanket many landscapes tied to Colorado’s water supply and provide the back-drop for popular recreational activities such as skiing, hiking and biking. In the late 19th century, much of Colorado’s demand for railroad ties was supplied by lodgepole pine forests, which still provide a range of wood products, including house logs, structural lumber, log furniture, decking, telephone poles and structural plywood. Plant and animal diversity tends to be relatively low in lodgepole pine forests, but they do provide important cover for mule deer, elk, black bear and a variety of birds and small mammals.
Uploaded
August 9th, 2014
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