The plot is almost exactly the start of one of my favorite Onion Talks, What is The Biggest Rock? <a href="https://youtube.com/watch?v=aO0TUI9r-So" rel="nofollow">https://youtube.com/watch?v=aO0TUI9r-So</a>
That's kind of surprising. Jeffrey pines are most common on the eastern side of the Sierra crest where they will grow down to about 6,000 feet. I wouldn't have thought of them as growing well at over 12,000 feet, but I guess they are already well adapted to harsh growing conditions, and maybe now with less snow, it's possible for them to get a foothold. Jeffery Pines also grow on top of San Benito Mountain in the coast range (5,267 feet) where they grow in serpentine soils that are toxic to most plants.
I was just in SequoiaNP a few days ago. Such a lovely place to go hiking. The area around General Sherman is awesome. Tons of trails that get you away from the crowds. Lakes Trail is amazing and there's still a lot of snow in the higher elevations. Even saw a number of people skiing through the forest.<p>I really hope we don't ever lose these parks.
“…preliminary evidence suggests the bird carries fleshy Jeffrey pine seeds up the mountain from thousands of feet below, storing them in the High Sierra's "refrigerator" for an early summer snack.”<p>The world of birds is full of wonder.
Article doesn't mention it but a significant factor for growth at high altitudes is the concentration of CO2, which gets thinner just like oxygen the higher above sea level you go. Higher concentrations of CO2 enables a higher tree line.