ALPINE FIR (_Abies lasiocarpa_) is the spirelike tree of the highest life zone, the Hudsonian. Under favorable conditions it reaches a height of 60 to 90 feet, but at timberline it is a twisted, stunted growth only a few feet high. Its narrow crown extends to the ground, which makes this tree particularly susceptible to crown fires. Many ridgetop areas have “silver” forests of bleached trunks of fire-killed alpine fir. The purple to gray-purple cones, 2 to 4 inches long, stand upright on the branches as in all true firs. [Illustration: NUMEROUS SMALL RESIN-FILLED BLISTERS ON A PACIFIC SILVER FIR.] ALASKA-CEDAR (_Chamaecyparis nootkatensis_) is a Hudsonian zone tree, easily identified by its foliage. The slender, drooping branches and flat, weeping sprays appear to be wilted. The leaves are of tiny, overlapping scales. This tree could be confused with the western redcedar, but as the two grow at different elevations identification should be easy. The largest specimen recorded, 7 feet 8 inches in diameter, is on the trail to Hart Lake above Enchanted Valley. [Illustration: THIS SITKA SPRUCE STARTED LIFE ON TOP OF A HIGH STUMP WHICH ROTTED AWAY LEAVING THE GROWING TREE STANDING ON STILTLIKE ROOTS.] [Illustration: PACIFIC MADRONE’S REDDISH-BROWN BARK SCALES OFF IN THIN LAYERS.] PACIFIC MADRONE (_Arbutus menziesii_) is a tree of the lower elevations distinguished by its smooth, reddish-brown trunk and branches and its shiny, leathery, broad-leaved, evergreen foliage. The bark of the trunk may be loosely scaly, peeling off in long, thin, irregular pieces. This is especially noticeable in late summer when new, light-green bark is exposed by the flaking away of the older red bark. SHRUBS SALAL (_Gaultheria shallon_) is the most common shrub in the forests of the Olympic Peninsula. Near the coast it grows 6 to 10 feet high in nearly impenetrable stands. Inland and at higher elevations up to about 3,000 feet, it is much smaller. Its evergreen, leathery leaves with finely toothed edges are easily distinguished from those of other shrubs. They are oblong and mostly 2 to 3 inches long. Urn-shaped, white to pink flowers in 1-sided racemes become black, edible berries later in summer. These berries were gathered by coast Indians and made into syrup or thick, dried cakes. PACIFIC RED ELDER (_Sambucus callicarpa_). This large shrub becomes noticeable along roadsides in summer because of its large, dense clusters of brilliant red “berries.” CREAMBUSH ROCKSPIREA (_Holodiscus discolor_) is an erect shrub, growing 5 to 14 feet high. In June it becomes conspicuous in lowlands because of its numerous, large, dense, drooping sprays of cream-colored flowers. Ocean spray is another common name for this shrub. [Illustration: SALAL IS ONE OF MANY BROAD-LEAVED EVERGREEN PLANTS.] NONWOODY PLANTS