Forest Environment
The Experimental Forest is a diverse forest typical of the drier mountains of
northern Idaho. Precipitation averages 27 inches per year, with the majority
falling as rain and snow during the fall, winter, and spring. Grand fir and
Douglas-fir are the most common tree species. Western red cedar, ponderosa pie,
western larch, western white pine, lodgepole pine, Engelmann spruce, western
hemlock, and subalpine fir are also found in varying quantities.
Shrub species dominate in many areas, with ninebark, ocean-spray, willow, and
red stem Ceanothus as the common tall and medium shrubs. Low shrubs
consist of snowberry, rose, thimbleberry, and spirea. The understory is rich
with forbs and grasses such as trillium, wild ginger, fairy slipper, pinegrass,
and Idaho fescue.
The many stages of plant succession on the Experimental Forest allow for a
wide variety of wildlife species. The forest is year-round home to elk,
white-tailed deer, and mule deer. Other forest dwellers include a black bear,
coyote, bobcat, mountain lion, and an occasional moose. Small mammals on the
forest include beaver, snowshoe hare, porcupine, and weasel. Birds abound during
nesting season, with robins, common flickers, chickadees, and thrushes making
use of the varied habitats. The great horned owl and red-tailed hawk can also be
found on the forest.
