These open forests are dominated by Pinus albicaulis, with other subalpine trees present only in small quantities. The trees seldom exceed 50 feet, and often are wind-pruned into grotesquely gnarled, picturesque krummholz.
SITE FACTORS:
Shallow rocky "soil" at the alpine timberline. Growing season very short due to cold, with frost or snow possible in any month. Intergrades at lower elevations with Sierran MIxed Subalpine Coniferous Forest (86200), and at higher elevations (8,000-12,000 feet depending on latitude) with Treeless Alpine Fell-Field (91100).
DISTRIBUTION:
Extensive in the higher central and southern Sierra Nevada, especially east of the crest. Widely scattered but less extensive in Siskiyou and Trinity Counties and the Warner Mountains.
UPDATE: 10/86
Source: Holland, 1986
Digital Text: NatureBase