Dwarf mistletoes are markedly host specific, perennial, obligate parasites. The success of mistletoe populations is tied not only to the suitability of the environment, but also to the availability and conditions of the hosts they infect. Thus, the dynamics of forest stand development and change exert major influences on the capacity of dwarf mistletoes to spread, intensify, and cause damage to...

Individual trees of giant sequoia (Sequoia gigantea [Lindl.] Decne.) have demonstrated a capacity to attain both a long life and very large size. It is not uncommon to find old-growth giant sequoia trees in their native range that are 1,500 years old and over 15 feet in diameter at breast height. The ability of individual giant sequoia trees to survive over such long periods of time has often b...