A tall, open forest dominated by Pinus jeffreyi, with sparse understories of species drawn from Montane Chaparral (37500) or Sagebrush Scrub (35200). Very similar in aspect to Ponderosa Pine Forest (84210, 84220). Pure stands are best developed on desert-facing slopes.
SITE FACTORS:
Dry, cold sites, especially on well-drained slopes, ridges, or cold air accumulation basins. West of the Sierran crest, it intergrades at its lower elevational limit 5,000-6,500 feet) with Montane Chaparral (37500), Coulter Pine Forest (84140) or Westside Ponderosa Pine Forest (84210). East of the crest it passes to Pinyon-Juniper Woodlands(72000), Great Basin Scrub (35000) or Eastside Ponderosa Pine Forest (84220). Passes in more mesic sites or higher elevations (7,000-9,000 feet) into Upper Montane Mixed Conifer Forest (85200) or Subalpine Forest (86000).
DISTRIBUTION:
Similar to Sierran Mixed Conifer Forest (84230) but typically at higher elevation and more extensive toward the south and east. Scattered through the higher North Coast Ranges and Klamath Mtns. Abundant from Shasta and Lassen Cos. southward through the Sierra Nevada to Kern Co. Best developed on the east side of the central Sierra Nevada, especially south of Mono Lake. Relatively abundant in the higher portions of the Transverse and Peninsular Ranges of southern California and Baja California, including the Mt. Pinos region, the eastern San Gabriel Mtns., San Bernardino Mtns., San Jacinto Mtns., Cuyamaca-Laguna Mtns., and the Sierra San Pedro Martir. Elevation usually 5,500-7,500 feet (1650-2700m) in the north and 6,500-9,000 feet (2000-2700m) in the south. Stands at lower elevations are probably on ultramafic substrates.
UPDATE: 10/86
Source: Holland, 1986
Digital Text: NatureBase