BOTANICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
SPECIES: Chamaecyparis nootkatensis | Alaska-Cedar 



GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS : 
Alaska-cedar is a native, evergreen, long-lived (as long as 3,500 years
[16]), monecious tree [1,24].  It is slow growing with a narrow crown;
the twigs are four-angled [56].  The boles of mature trees have
buttressed and fluted bases, and the bark is shreddy [33].

Alaska-cedar is a medium-sized tree, although at treeline it is reduced
to a shrub.  It can obtain heights of 100 to 125 feet (30-38 m) with a
d.b.h. as great as 12 feet (3.7 m) [24].  The root system is shallow
with complex layering [24].  The leaves are scalelike and roughly 0.125
inch (0.32 cm) in length [1,46].  The stroboli are borne on the tips of
branchlets.  The male strobili are yellow.  The female strobili are
green, spherical, and 0.5 inch (1 cm) in diameter [23].


RAUNKIAER LIFE FORM : 
   Ligneous Chamaephyte
   Phanerophyte


REGENERATION PROCESSES : 
Sexual:  The frequency of good seed crops is irregular (4 or more years)
[59], and germination rates are low [35].  A germination rate of around
12 percent can be obtained with a warm stratification (30 days at 68 to
86 degrees Fahrenheit [20-30 deg C]) followed by a moist stratification
(30 days at 40 degrees Fahrenheit [4 deg C]).  A tetrazolium stain has
been recommended for a test of seed viability [23].  The seed are quite
small with an average of 108,000 seeds per pound (240,000 seeds/kg)
[23,24].  The seed can be stored dry at 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 deg C)
for 3 to 5 years [59].  Bower and others [5] recommend foliar
application of gibberellin A3 to increase flowering and filled seed.
From the parent tree the mean dissemination distance is about 400 feet
(120 m) [24].  Germination is epigeal [24], and mineral soil or well
decomposed organic matter are the preferred germination substrates [37].

Vegetative:  Alaska-cedar reproduces asexually by layering.  It layers
readily under the deep, heavy coastal snowpacks [49].  Vegetative
reproduction is the method of choice to meet the demands for
containerized stock, due to the low germination rate and infrequent good
seed crops [35].  Cuttings, treated with indolebutyric acid and potted
in the greenhouse, were ready for planting in 1 year [24].  Clones have
advantages over seedlings such as fewer multiple leaders and uniformity
in size [35].  Karlsson [34] and Karlsson and Russell [35] provide
in-depth information on age of the donor, clone survival, establishment,
and planting guidelines.

Preliminary results indicate that there is genetic variation between
provenances for shoot growth; however, further testing is needed to
establish transfer zones [6].


SITE CHARACTERISTICS : 
Alaska-cedar occurs in hypermaritime to submaritime, subalpine, boreal,
and summer-wet, cool mesothermal climates [39].  It occurs from
shoreline to treeline in the northern portion of its range but is
restricted to higher elevations in the southern portion [24].

Elevation:  Elevational ranges for Alaska-cedar in several western
states are as follows [24,49]:

                        Feet                    Meters
Alaska                  0 to 3,000              0 - 910 
Washinton and Oregon    2,000 to 7,500          600 - 2300 
California              4,950 to 7,260          1,500 - 2,200

Soil:  Alaska-cedar has a strong affinity for deep, well-drained soils
rich in calcium and magnesium, and derived from parent materials of
andesite, diorite, gabbro, or basalt (Histosol and Spodosol soil orders)
[24].  It also can be found on the poor, rocky soils of the alpine
environment far above the limits of other conifers [1].

Associates:  In addition to those previously listed under Distribution
and Occurrence, Alaska-cedar's overstory associates include California
red fir (Abies magnifica), subalpine fir (A. lasiocarpa), Pacific silver
fir (A. anabilis), noble fir (A. procera), Brewer spruce (Picea
breweriana), whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis), shore pine (P.
contorta), incense-cedar (Libocedrus decurrens), and Pacific yew (Taxus
brevifolia) [24].

Understory associates include big huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum),
Alaska blueberry (V. alaskaense), fool's huckleberry (Menziesia
ferruginea), and copperbush (Cladathamnus pyroliflorus) [24].


SUCCESSIONAL STATUS : 
Oblgate Initial Community Species
Facultative Seral Species
Obligate Climax Species

Depending on the site, Alaska-cedar can be a long-lived seral species or
a climax species [14,16].  In the subalpine environment it is the first
tree species to become established, later forming large krummholz stands
from layering [15].  Alaska-cedar is classified as shade tolerant; it
will respond to 10 percent of full light and reach photosynthetic
saturation at 60 percent [20].


SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT : 
Flowering of Alaska-cedar occurs progressively earlier in the spring as
elevation decreases, suggesting that bud developement is based on heat
sums [5].  Alaska-cedar flowers from April to June depending on latitude
and elevation [24].  The cones of trees in the southern portion of its
range mature from September to October, and dispersal begins in October
and lasts through spring.  In the northern portion of its range and in
alpine environments, maturation of the cones is also based on heat sums,
with 2- and 3-year reproductive cycles, respectively, being the norm
[10].  In the northern portion of its range pollination of cones
initiated the previous summer occurs from mid-April to late May; cones
mature the following year [24].  The mature cones can be identified by
their yellow-brown color [23].

Related categories for Species: Chamaecyparis nootkatensis | Alaska-Cedar