The Disposition of Snow Caught by Conifer Crowns

Abstract

Snow interception studies during the warm winters of 1966–1967 and 1967–1968 in northern Idaho revealed that Douglas fir and western white pine saplings caught about one third of the snow that fell in 22 storms. More than 80% of the snow initially caught in the crowns ultimately reached the ground being washed off by subsequent rain, falling by direct mass release, or dripping as melting snow. Only a small portion was lost by evaporation.