East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1907-08-03

Inasmuch as A. o. sceike, especial
agent of the forest service, from
Washington, d. c., has for the past
month been making a special inves-
tigation of climatic and other con-
ditions in Idaho says the Boise
Statesman. his findings to be en-
bodied in report which will be pub
lished in circular for the advisement
of settlers, the following bulletin is
sued by the department will be of
| interest:
"Trees are fixed. almost inflexible,
| in their habits. For centuries, indeed
as long as we have record, each spe-
cies has kept in its beaten ways; in
sisting on the same average of tenn
perature and refusing to grow where
this could not be found; seeking and
occupying certain kinds of soil and
demanding certain amounts of mois-
ture and avoiding situations where
these were wanting.
"The latest authorities go so far as
to declare that trees cannot be ac-
climatized; that is, that even the in
genuity and perseverance of man are
unable to induce trees to change their
native habitat. For a time the for
ester may use various devices to sur
round a tree with artificial condi-
tons by which. so to speak, the tree
is deluded into feeling at home. But
as soon as the forester's care is with
drawn in such cases the tree is seized
with homesickness and dies of it,
Habits of Trees.
This fastidiousness in the habits
of trees has its good and its bad sides.
1t absolutely limits the forester's
choice of trees to grow in a given re-
gion. To seek to force tree growth In
uncongenial conditions is entirely
fruitless. But. on the other hand.
there is practical certainty of results.
If beech or spruce thrives where the
average warmth and moisture of the
growing season from year to year
ranges between certain degrees, then
wherever else, in the northern hemi-
sphere at least, the same, average is
found. the forester may plant beech
or spruce, whether or not they be
not oIready there, with confidence
that they will flourish.
"The same law works both ways. If
the forester finds beech or spruce or
any other tree growing in a region
of which the climatic conditions are
, not recorded, he knows within very
narrow limits what the climate is
D simply because he knows that at
home this tree grows in such a eli
mate. In other words, trees, espe-
o cially of course, those which are par
ticularly fastidious, are very satisfac'
tory substitutes for thermometer:
and barometers so far as the average
temperature and moisture condition!
during the vegetative season are con
cerned.
"There is a close relation betweeI
G trees demands upon Temperature
:, and its demands upon soil. Givei
the proper temperature, it will grow
where the soil Is unfriendly; givei
the most congenial soil, 1t will grow
where the temperature is not idea
l. The cooler and wetter the soil tn
u better 1t will grow with a relativel
high temperature; the drier an
: warmer the soil, the better It wi
grow with a relatively low tempera
s, ture. Thus, on northern slope, tn
ID forester will often find It safe to plan
trees which would not thrive on tn
re southern slope Of the same mountai
la because northern slopes are coole
and moister than southern ones, an
this difference may suffice to offse
a slight disadvantage in the genera
temperature of the region.
70 There Is a wide variation anon
70 trees as to the range Of temperatur
. which they endure. Some, such q
go the Douglas fir. yellow pine, easter
o. spruce or aspen, grow over wide area
from north to south; others, such q
Mexican white pine, eucalyptus. c
"a redwood, are more narrowly confined
~ But 1t should not be inferred thf
&c only geographic lines can be draw
ha for the distribution Of any specie
ID The right temperature condition
ie may be found outside Of the geogrt
he phic distribution at higher or lowe
or attitudes. A southern species who's
'is home is in the mountains may po!
sess second home in the norther
I'd latitudes of level country and
e. northern lowland species may thri'
lie also on mountains in the south.
is Frequently trees are distribute