MOUNT RAINIER The Forests of Mount Rainier National Park

DECIDUOUS TREES.

The silva of the Western Cascades is rich in evergreens remarkable for their size and beauty. The deciduous trees are few and insignificant. The forests of the park are almost wholly coniferous. Vine maple and willow are found as undergrowth. On the margins of rivers there are occasional groves of alders and cottonwoods. The lighter hues or the branching trunks and the changing tints of the foliage in these patches of broad-leafed woodland present a pleasing diversity to the evergreen forest.

Broadleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) (fig. 22), the largest of the Pacific coast maples, ranges from Alaska to southern California. Near sea level it often attains a height of 50 to 60 feet. In the park it is a short-stemmed, branching tree, occasionally found on the borders of streams. It grows at elevations under 3,000 feet.

Fig. 22.—Broadleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum).

Vine maple (Acer circinatum) (fig. 23) is abundant from British Columbia to northern California. On rich river bottoms it is sometimes 15 to 20 feet high and 6 inches in diameter. In the park it is usually a bush or low shrub with a bent and curiously crooked stem, growing along streams and as undergrowth in the forest. It is very common up to 3,000 feet. In autumn the leaves are a bright scarlet. The wood is tough and elastic and makes a hot and lasting fire.

Fig. 23.—Vine maple (Acer circinatum). Photograph by A. H. Barnes.

Red alder (Alnus oregona) (fig. 24) occurs from Alaska to southern California. It is common about Mount Rainier, in river bottoms, on the banks of large streams, and in swampy places. It usually grows to a height of 30 or 40 feet. The bark varies from nearly white to light gray. It is the most abundant of all the deciduous trees in the park.

Fig. 24.—Red alder (Alnus oregona).

Black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) (fig. 25) is common from Alaska to southern California. It is occasionally found in the park up to 4,000 feet. It grows along streams and on sandy river bottoms often associated with the alder. The leaves are most always in motion, very gentle winds being sufficient to make them twinkle and turn.

Fig. 25.—Black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa).

The wood is soft, but tough and compact. It is used for staves, woodenware, wood pulp, trunks, barrels, and for drawer bottoms.