Thanks, Lyn. I wasn't sure where you were in N. California. I have been at Tahoe (one summer) but not where you are. Lots of pines at Tahoe as I remember -- Lodgepole pines.
In any case, I think the reforestation procedure is the same. Find whatever the native plants are, and use native grasses to build soil, and faster growing trees. Also, using successions of soil building green manures.
