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Boise Basin Experimental Forest
The Boise Basin Experimental Forest lies on the outskirts of
the small town of Idaho City, Idaho. It was established in 1933
to study management of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa). It
consists of 3,540 ha (8,740 acres) and is divided into three
units surrounding Idaho City
in southern Idaho. Idaho City was a booming mining
town in the 1870s and the surrounding forests supplied
material to the community. Two units were heavily
affected by mining activities and the majority of trees in
them now are the results of post-mining regeneration.
The third unit, on steeper slopes, has many undisturbed
areas (containing large areas of ponderosa pine),
including a Research Natural Area.
Climate
The climate is characterized by warm, dry summers and
cool, wet winters. Annual precipitation averages 635 mm
with the most falling from October through June.
Summers can be punctuated by downpours and severe
lightning. Temperatures average -4 °C in the winter and
19 °C in the summer.
Soils
Soils are derived from granitic rocks of the Idaho
Batholith. They are generally deep and mostly Typic or
Lithic Xeropsamments, Cryumbrepts, Cryoboralls,
Cryorthents, and Cryocrepts with pH ranges from 5.5 to
7.0. The 50-year ponderosa pine site index ranges from
53 to 66.
Vegetation
Interior ponderosa pine dominates the forest cover at
Boise Basin. Prior to successful fire exclusion, frequent
surface fires maintained the pine with patches of quaking
aspen. Douglas-fir occupies many settings, with
mountain shrubs occupying the cooler aspects and
shallow soils.
Long-Term Data Bases
There are long-term data bases on historical fire return
intervals, soils, habitat types, and vegetation trends.
Research, Past and Present
The earliest studies, beginning in 1933, evaluated different methods of selecting mature trees for harvest and the effects of remaining tree patterns on tree growth, reproduction, and undergrowth vegetation. Crews installed permanent transects for monitoring tree reproduction and undergrowth vegetation. Subsequent studies evaluated factors affecting germination, survival, and growth of young ponderosa pine and the phenology of trees and undergrowth vegetation in ponderosa pine forests. Competition factors for planted and natural pine seedlings were investigated in 1937, followed by two studies of seed storage, viability, and germination of stand management as root sytems of trees and seedlings, porcupine feeding relationships with ponderosa pine, and thinning and pruning methods.
Later studies compared timber production under individual tree versus group selection methods of harvest, the viability of seeds stored in the soil, site preparation methods for tree planting, tree seed dispersal, application of plant hormones, and conversion of old growth stands to second growth.
Current activities include how various shade densities affect planted tree seedlings on harsh sites, the historical changes in stand composition and density, continued monitoring of the 1933 transects, and demonstration areas relating to ecosystem management and health.
Major Research Accomplishments
and Effects on Management
Research at Boise Basin has provided important
information on ponderosa pine management, habitat
types in dry forests, ponderosa pine regeneration, and
response of ponderosa pine to prescribed fire.
Collaborators
US Forest Service 's Region 4, Boise National Forest,
National Interagency Fire Center, University Of Idaho,
and Boise Cascade Corp. have collaborated with the
Rocky Mountain Research Station's scientists.
Research Opportunities
There are research opportunities at Boise Basin on the
following subjects: ponderosa pine restoration, the
urban-rural interface, and recreation.
Facilities
There are no facilities at Boise Basin, which is located
about 50 km northeast of Boise, on Highway 21.
Lat. 43°49' N, long. 115°50' W
Contact information
Boise Basin Experimental Forest
US Forest Service
Rocky Mountain Research Station
1221 South Main
Moscow, ID 83843
Tel: (208) 882-3557
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The material for the Experimental Forests pages was originally published in:
Adams, Mary Beth; Loughry, Linda; Plaugher, Linda, comps. 2004.
Experimental Forests and Ranges of the USDA Forest Service.
Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-321. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 178 p.
GTR-NE-321 - 5.5 mb pdf
Information has been updated since original publication.
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