Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: The overstory is composed of a varied mixture of conifers where Abies lasiocarpa var. arizonica and Pseudotsuga menziesii are codominants. Picea pungens is successfully reproducing. Abies concolor, Populus tremuloides, and Pinus strobiformis may be present. Most mature trees are Pseudotsuga menziesii and Populus tremuloides. The luxuriant herbaceous ground cover of forbs such as Packera cardamine and a low cover (<5%) of shrubs characterize this association. The low-growing shrub Paxistima myrsinites and Rubus parviflorus are usually present. These sites may have the highest stand tree diversity of all southwestern plant associations.

Dynamics:  The mixture of such seral species as Pinus ponderosa, Populus tremuloides, Pinus strobiformis, and Pteridium aquilinum suggests a long-term history (centuries) of low-intensity fires interspersed by larger, higher-intensity surface fires. The major seral species after fire is Populus tremuloides, but many conifers of the late-seral or climax vegetation may also become quickly established after fire.