Im looking at going to Pike National Forest in Colorado. I would like to take some pictures and get out to see some very stunted trees that are twisted and carved out by nature. Would like them to be under 5 feet tall. Any locations would be helpful even pictures. Even talk to some locals to help would be great.Speices im interesed in are Dogular Fir, Colorado Blue spruce, Englemann Spruce, any type of pines. Thanks for the help
I’m not familiar with that area, but in Sedona, Arizona, there is a hike called Cathedral Rock where you can see warped and twisted junipers. They are really alien-looking.
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I don’t know about that particular area, but it sounds like you are describing pygmy forests. They grow (albeit very little) in areas with very low soil nutrients and can host some unique species with special adaptations to survive in those conditions. For example there are a couple pygmy forests along California’s central coast that have both Mendocino cypress trees and Bollander’s beach pine; both species are pygmy forest endemics.
I do not know if there are any pygmy forests in Colorado, however, or if the species you mentioned typically occur in them. I do want to stress, though, that pygmy forests tend to be sensitive environments and often have special State or Federal protections due to their unique features. Pictures are fine, harvesting may not be if that is why you’re asking for locations.
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Cathedral Rock is stunning in many ways!
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