Pines in the Prairie

Abstract

In going through Riley County, Kansis, one is impressed with the number and thriftiness of the pine groves on certain of the hillsides. Fossil remains tell us that pine forests occurred in Kansas in ancient times. At the present time however conditions are not considered favorable for the growth of these trees on a natural scale. The position of the Rocky Mountains and the f ormer prevalence of prairie fires are two factors concerned. With the coming of white people into Kansas in the i850's and i86o's there are no records of the occurrence of pines in at least this part of the state, although the southern yellow pine (P. echinata) is supposed to have occurred in southeastern Kansas. As the state became settled trees were planted. Pines were set out either as ornamental plants or as windbreaks and also in cemeteries. The species most frequently used have been Pinus sylvestris and P. banksiana, although trees of P. laricio and P. ponderosa have also been planted in some of the groves. Judging from the present age of the trees in the groves in Riley County, many such plantings took place in the i890's. The groves are located on the hillsides rather than the crests, although it may be that they were planted indifferently on both and have been destroyed from the crests. They are usually best developed on northern slopes, although by no means confined to such aspects. As they were planted directly in the prairie their relationships with it show very well. Seed formation has taken place nearly every year. Viable seed is produced in moderately large quantities. This seed is distributed fair distances from the trees. Pine seeds have been found at least half a mile away from the nearest grove, and if one searches the prairie carefully in the vicinity of the groves, after the cones have opened, there is usually no trouble in finding plenty of seeds. While the seed distribution is satisfactory the establishment of reproduction (ecesis) is a different matter. Although wet spells of satisfactory duration occur at the time of pine seed germination, the seedlings can seldom penetrate the dense prairie sod. Without such moist spells, any pine seed which may start after a rain dries up and dies. That the seeds are good has been tested out, but the factors acting against establishment are usually too effective. Seedlings have been found in largest numbers in needle carpeted pine groves where the ground flora is virtually zero. In the prairie, pine seedlings are found in greatest numbers on the