Similar to Westside Ponderosa Pine Forest (84210), but denser, with the crowns often touching, often slightly taller (to 75 m) and with several dominant species. Abies, Pseudotsuga and Cornus are more common on moist sites; Pinus spp. and Ceanothus spp. on dry sites. Pseudotsuga is lacking south of northern Fresno Co. Understory much as in Westside Ponderosa Pine Forest but with scattered, broadleaved mesophytic shrubs and small trees, and with greater accumulation of wood on the ground. The growing period is similar to that in Westside Ponderosa Pine Forest, concentrated in early summer.
SITE FACTORS:
Similar to Westside Ponderosa Pine Forest (84210), but usually on moister sites. Usually on north-facing slopes near its lower elevational margin. In areas of greater winter snowpack than Westside Ponderosa Pine Forest, Eastside Ponderosa Pine Forest (84220), Lower Montane Chaparral (37500) or Upper Montane Chaparral (37520). Intergrades with Sierran White Fir Forest (84240) on cool, moist, north-facing slopes within its elevational range. At its upper limit, intergrades with Upper Montane Mixed Conifer Forest (85200) on drier slopes or with Upper Montane Fir Forest (85300) on moist, north-facing slopes.
DISTRIBUTION:
Very similar to Westside Ponderosa Pine Forest (84210), but ranging, in addition, to the east side of the Sierra Nevada-Cascade crest on moist slopes from southeastern Siskiyou Co. to the Lake Tahoe region. Elevation from 3,000-6,000 feet (900-1800m) in the north to 5,000-7,000 feet (1500-2100m) in the south, averaging slightly higher than Westside Ponderosa Pine Forest. Also present on the summit plateau of the Sierra San Pedro Martir, Baja, California between 7,000-8,000 feet (2100-2400m).
UPDATE: 10/86
Source: Holland, 1986
Digital Text: NatureBase