DOUGLAS FIR-WHITE FIR/ TANOAK-MADRONE MIXED FOREST (52)

Geographic Distribution. Low to mid-elevation mixed conifer and mixed deciduous forest. Found primarily in Jackson, Curry, and Josephine Counties of southwestern Oregon. This type is common in the Siskiyou and Klamath Mountains and to a lesser extent, the southern Cascades.

Structure and Appearance. This mixed conifer/mixed deciduous forest type in its mature form is a large structure multi-canopy forest. Upper tree layer always contains Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), with co-dominant to lesser amounts of fir (Abies grandis or Abies concolor) and usually some representation of incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens). Sub-canopies are mixes of shade tolerant conifers with evergreen deciduous and deciduous trees. Shrub and herb layers are well represented.

Composition. The proportion of overstory composition may vary by microsite and disturbance history, but there will always be some mix of Douglas fir, white fir, and incense cedar in the stand. Sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana) and western white pine (P. monticola) are infrequent overstory occupants. Sub-canopy trees include: tanoak (Lithocarpus densiflora), madrone (Arbutus menziesii), chinquapin (Castanopsis chrysophylla), and lesser amounts of pacific dogwood (Cornus nuttallii) and California laurel (Umbellaria californica).

Indicative shrubs of this cover type include: baldhip rose (Rosa gymnocarpa), dwarf OregongrapeOregon-grape (Mahonia nervosa), pacific blackberry (Rubus ursinus), oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor), California hazelnut (Corylus cornuta), and hairy honeysuckle (Lonicera hispidula).

Commonly associated herbs include: western starflower (Trientalis latifolia), rattlesnake plantain (Goodyera oblongifolia), trail plant (Adenocaulon bicolor), prince's pine (Chimaphila umbellata), Scouler's harebell (Campanula scouleri), vanillaleaf (Achlys triphylla), whipplevine (Whipplea modesta), and Oregon fairybell (Disporum hookeri).

Landscape Setting. Common California mid-elevation forest type that reaches it northern extent in southwestern Oregon. Logging, fires, and other stand disturbances promote the deciduous tree component. Shasta red fir types typically border the type at its upper elevation. Lower elevation by deciduous dominant cover types.

References. Atzet et al. 1996; Atzet and McCrimmon 1990; Jimerson et al. 1996