Growth Rate of Pinyon Pine (Pinus edulis) on Fort Carson and Pinyon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colorado.

Abstract : Pinyon Pine trees are extremely important as a concealment for military training exercises on Fort Carson and Pinyon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colorado. However, during extensive and continued maneuver training, many of these trees are severely damaged or destroyed to the point where the woodlands may not be self-sustaining. As a first step in determining the need for a reforestation program, this study was done to determine the time required to grow replacement trees to the height necessary to provide concealment for tracked vehicles. Age-growth prediction equations were developed and the age structure of the current Pinyon Pine population was determined. Results from three sample sites on the training lands indicated that the trees take an average of 42, 73, and 87 years, respectively, to grow to the height of an M60 tank. The age structure analysis indicated that few replacement trees are established naturally. Due to the slow growth rate and low natural regeneration capability of Pinyon Pine, it is recommended that means for minimizing tree losses should be fully exercised and that changes in population density, foliar cover, and age composition should be monitored. Keywords: Forestry.