Litter production by bigtrees and associated species

These studies show that the distribution and amount of litterfall under bigtree and pine canopies is such that bared areas will be well covered within a year's time. On the basis of amount of litter produced and ground covering potential, the pines are more desirable associates for bigtrees than are white fir or incense-cedar. Also, pine needles provide excellent fire-carrying fuels where prescribed burning is used to maintain low fire hazard conditions.