Ponderosa forests provide habitat for many species, including red squirrels, porcupines, bobcats, nuthatches, woodpeckers, bullsnakes and more. Commercially, these trees are used for many types of lumber and wood products. Outside of Devils Tower National Monument, huge areas of the Black Hills are managed by the US Forest Service to conserve the resources and recreational opportunities we derive from these forests. These conifers are identified by thick, flaky bark which can be a brown to orange-red color. They have a sweet smell that reminds people of vanilla or butterscotch. While you can catch the scent strolling through the forest, it is best to stick your nose right into the bark and breathe deeply! As ponderosas mature, their lower branches fall off. This adaptation, along with the thick bark and the tree's sap, make it fire tolerant. Occassional fires help keep the forest canopy open and recycle the debris on the forest floor. Trees and Shrubs - Devils Tower National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)