Dwarf Forest – Desert View, Grand Canyon, Arizona

The relatively dry conditions on the south rim of the Grand Canyon restrict the size of the trees which grow there. A dwarf forest of pinyon pine and juniper covers vast stretches of the mid-elevation Southwest. The scale-like, wax-coated leaves of the juniper and the short two-needled clusters of the pinyon conserve moisture in this dry environment. The trees can survive on a limited amount of moisture because of modest foliage, thick bark which resists evaporation, extensive root system and extremely slow growth. The moisture necessary to sustain pinyon-juniper forest arrive in the form of thunderstorms in the summer and snow in the winter. The pinyon pine produces a nut which has served as food for both human inhabitants of the area as well as animals like the Abert squirrel. The junipers are known for their often gnarled and twist form. Its stringy bark was used by the Indians to weave into sleeping mats and other commodities. The tree’s berries can also be eaten in a pinch.