Early height development and species stratification across five climax series in the eastern Washington Cascade range

Reconstruction in twenty single-cohort stands across five climax series on the eastern slope of the Washington Cascade Range found a variety of species combinations and development patterns. Western larch (Larix occidentalis Nutt.) and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud) were found to be very competitive species that usually occupied a dominant position in stands in the Abies grandis, Abies lasiocarpa, and Tsuga mertensiana climax series. Interior Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca (Mirb.) Franco) was found in all five climax series and, although its height growth was less than that of western larch or the lodgepole pine, it was usually found in the upper stratum. These results suggest that site classification based on climax potential should be used cautiously when applied to young stand management decisions regarding seral species. For example, the difference between an Abies grandis, and a Tsuga mertensiana climax series is quite large in terms of potential productivity but in either case western larch, if present, will likely dominate these stands.