Most stands were extensively thinned by mountain pine beetle epidemics in the first half of the century. The thinned stands support relatively vigorous lodgepole regeneration. Most older trees are severely infected with dwarf mistletoe. Considering the present fairly abundant reproduction, this will probably lead to stands being heavily infected with dwarf mistletoe; this was likely also the case in the primeval forest.
Stands in this community probably burned only rarely and then only over small areas The litter accumulation, even after 70+ years without fire, is very patchy with islands of heavy fuels separated by large areas of mineral soil Openings in the stand permitting lodgepole regeneration probably resulted from beetle kills. Any fire starting in this type would probably be quite small–limited to one snag or a locally heavy collection of litter. That fire was relatively unimportant in the community in pre-white man times is further supported by the great ages of the stands and the scarcity of charcoal on the forest floor. All charcoal is from lodgepole pine.
(4) Lodgepole Pine/Sedge-Lupine
This third lodgepole pine climax community is found in extensive areas about the Park. It is most accessible on the west side of Sand Creek. Other large stands may be seen northeast of Cascade Spring, southwest of Sharp Peak, west of Timber Crater and southeast of Bald Crater. Stands of this type, found between 1700 m and 1980 m, are recognized by the presence of pine (Anderson’s) lupine. In some areas goldenweed and squaw current may be present.
Areas supporting this type were probably visited by intense fires in the past as suggested by the presence of only one or two age classes in all but 2 of 13 sample plots. Recent high bark beetle activity and apparent ice breakage have led to very heavy litter accumulations in some areas. This natural buildup has been increased by locally dense reproduction, resulting in areas of apparently very high flamability. These areas are also characteristically severely infected with dwarf mistletoe. It seems likely that areas such as these would have burned before now without fire suppression. Fire in the area would probably result in nearly 100% tree mortality with a short term reduction in fuel. Dwarf mistletoe in the stand would be eliminated or greatly reduced. As mortality from the fire fell the fuel load would again increase. Another fire, consuming this post-fire fuel and corresponding reproduction, would probably permit the establishment of a stand of vigorously growing trees in an open meadow-like environment.
The closed, highly flammable areas of this community are found between the North Entrance Road and Timber Crater and at the southeastern end of the Pinnacles Valley. Open stands, whose origins are likely those hypothesized above, are found in the upper western Pinnacles Valley, the area southwest of Sharp Peak, and west and north of Desert Cone.
(5) White Fir /California Brome-Lupine
This community is found only in a small area northeast of the Panhandle and west of Sun Creek at elevation 1460 m. White fir is the dominant tree in the understory. There is extreme accumulation of litter from past bark beetle epidemics in some areas. Age data indicate that this type existed prior to the white man’s arrival in the area. Following 1855, fires may have increased the area occupied by this type. A fire at present would probably destroy most of the stand in some areas, with lodgepole pine re-establishing itself following fire.
(6) Subalpine Fir/Collomia-Peavine
This community is found in very wet areas near the headwaters of Bybee Creek and Copeland Creek at about 1700 m. The community is best distinguished by the presence of collomia and peavine, though very wet sites may contain a rich flora. Lodgepole pine grows very rapidly on these sites and both Shasta red fir and subalpine fir occur. The dynamics of this type are probably quite similar to the subalpine fir/goldenweed/aster-blue wildrye type (no. 7 below), though tree invasion is even slower because of intense competition with herbaceous species.
