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The Stanislaus-Tuolumne Experimental Forest covers 607 ha near Pinecrest, California,
in the central Sierras. It was selected as typical of mixed conifer stands of
the Sierra Nevada, specifically, those of high site-quality on mid-elevation
west slopes. The Stanislaus-Tuolumne was formally created in December of 1943,
though research had been ongoing for years by that time. The effort to create
the Stanislaus-Tuolomne was driven by Duncan Dunning, who had been pushing for
formal designation of an experimental forest on the Stanislaus National Forest
since the early 1930's. The forest consists of two tracts: the 80-ha Headquarters
Tract on the South Fork of the Stanislaus River and the larger Tuolumne Tract
on the lower slopes of Dodge Ridge, just south of the North Fork of the Tuolumne
River. Elevations range from 1,590 to 1,950 m.
Climate
The climate is characterized by warm dry summers and cold wet winters. Annual
precipitation averages 940 mm, more than half falling as snow between December
1 and March 31. In exceptional winters, snow may accumulate to depths over 3
m. Some drifts persist until mid-May. Little precipitation falls from June through
September. Air temperatures during the year usually range from -23 to 35 °C.
Average monthly minimum and maximum air temperatures range from -7 to 7 °C
for January to 6 to 27 °C for July. The growing season lasts about 112
days.
Soils
Moderately deep, sandy to fine sandy loam soils of the Holland series are widespread.
Soils are residual, derived from granite or diorite. On the higher slopes and
ridges, soils from the lava caps are shallow and support poor tree growth. Overall,
site quality is high and is estimated to be about 110.
Vegetation
Sierra Nevada mixed conifer (SAF 243) covers 546 ha, though it can be considered
a variant because Douglas-fir is absent and Jeffrey pine is present. The red
fir forest cover type (SAF 207) covers 61 ha.
Long-Term Data Bases
Climatological measurements on the Stanislaus- Tuolumne include air and soil
temperatures, relative humidity, barometric pressure, wind velocity, cloudiness,
precipitation and soil moisture. Beginning in 1932 and 1933, records were kept
for 30 years at one site, 19 years at another, and 11 years at three other sites.
Trees in the Tuolumne Tract have been inventoried by stand condition classes
within 1-ha divisions. The Stanislaus National Forest has mapped the soils to
the family level. This soil survey supersedes a more detailed survey conducted
by the University of California-Berkeley in 1942.
Research, Past and Present
There are no current active research projects on the Stanislaue-Tuolumne. Early
research there focused on the development of harvesting methods for (old-growth
stands) that would provide for regeneration of sugar pine, Jeffrey pine, and
ponderosa pine. Cone and seed production of pine and fir trees were monitored
for 28 years. These data were used in the definitive work on seed and cone production.
Later, the "unit area control" procedure was tested at the forest. "Site factor"
stations were established in the early 1930s to monitor conditions related to
seedling establishment. Studies of dwarf mistletoe were conducted here in the
1960s.
Collaborators
Staff members of the Summit Ranger District, Stanislaus National Forest, have
worked with scientists at the USDA Forest Service's Pacific Southwest (PSW)
Research Station.
Research Opportunities
The Stainslaus-Tuolumne is the site of studies related to mixed conifer stands,
though on a small scale, because the area is limited. The stands here are remarkable
because of the component of large sugar pine trees found throughout much of
the forest.
Facilities
The Stanislaus-Tuolumne's two tracts are located 51 km east of Sonora, Tuolumne
County. The forest can be reached via State Route 108, an all-weather road.
The road network within the forest is unpaved except for Crabtree Road. None
of the roads is maintained during the winter. There are no facilities maintained
by PSW as all buildings were transferred to the Summit Ranger District in the
mid-1960s.
Lat. 38°3´ N, long. 119°57´ W
Contact information 1
Stanislaus-Tuolumne Experimental Forest
USDA Forest Service
Pacific Southwest Research Station
3644 Avtech Parkway
Redding, CA 96002
Tel: (530) 226-2530
http://www.fs.fed.us/psw/programs/ecology_of_western_forests/experimental_forests/
stanislaus
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