Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1907-07-10

Probably no other group of the pine
family is SO difficult of Identification
as the species of Juniperus. The dis
| ttnguishing characteristics of those
| long known are even now so imper
fectly understood, except by few
specialists, that forms of the different
species occurring in the same region
are constantly confused. With few
| exceptions, they are exceedingly diff
ficult trees to distinguish in all stages
of their growth, even with the fullest
assortment of Towering, fruiting and
foliage specimens, such as few her
baria possess. Much very critical
study is needed also Of trees as they
| grow In their native habitat where,
frequently, they show specific charac-
tiers which may we'll be added to what
must, at best, often be meager de-
scriptive picture. AS good evidence
Of the difficulties these trees present,
one has only to point to the fact that
such really distinct species as Juni-
perus virginiana, of northeastern
United States, and J. barbadensis, of
the south Atlantic and Gulf region,
should have remained so long con-
founded with each other; or that the
equally distinct, but still little known,
Juniperus scopulorum should have
been so long supposed to be only a
Rocky mountain and far-western form
of the eastern Virginia red cedar. It
is probable that very much is yet to
be- learned about our jumpers, a criti-
cal field study of which must yield
still other new species.
One most-important work which
members of the forest service are do
Ing now in the national forests, and
aside from their other economic for
est work, is the careful scrutiny of
trees, wherever found, for the purpose
Of determining their limits of range
The present organized body of men in
charge of and conducting investiga-
lions upon these forest lands consti-
tute an exceptional corps of trained
workers, through whose observations
very much new Information has al
ready been added to our knowledge Of
North American trees. 1t is only
through the combined efforts of inves-
tfgators, each working carefully over
his portion of the territory, that we
can ever hope to know all of the trees
we have and exactly where their linn
is of range are.
Mr.. w. R. NATION, assistant forest
Inspector in the forest service, has re-
Gently collected notes, photographs,
and specimens which enable the
writer to distinguish a remarkably
unique species of juniper, for which
propose the name Juniperus mega
locarpa; the specific part of the name
refers to the strikingly large fruit this
tree bears. An appropriate common
name would seem to be, Big-fruit Juni-
per. So far as is known, the tree has
no field name, not being distinguished
from other jumpers or "cedars" of it's
range.
At present this species, which was
first seen by Mr.. Nation, September
%, 1906, is known to occur in only
one locality. This is approximately
in section II or IA, township nine
south, range 20 west, of the CHA Ma
tional Forest, N. M. The location is
midway between the towns of Alma
and Frisco, and about three miles
above the San Francisco river, TWEEN.
ty to 80 trees form an orchard-like
stand on an alluyial sandy terrace a
dozen feet above the stream. while
below the point, stretching for pos
sibly mile, occur scattered single
trees and small groups in similar sit
uations, or at the bottom of the dry.
rocky canyon slope, which bears q
scanty growth of pinon pine, alligator
juniper, one-seed juniper, and scrub
oak. The elevation of the stream bed.
near which the trees occur, is about
$500 feet, and the tree ranges within
$50 feet above the stream. Forest
Ranger William H. Goddard reports
having seen juniper, which may
prove to be Juniperus megalocarpa, on
a small tributary of San Francisco