Biographical note

Julius Ansgar Larsen (1877-1977) was born in Drammen, Norway. He moved to the United States as a teenager to live with his sister in Connecticut. He received his B.A. (1908) and Master’s in forestry (1910) from Yale University and his Ph.D. (1936) from Iowa State College (University).

Before joining the Iowa State College Forestry Department, Dr. Larsen worked with the U.S. Forest Service in Idaho and Montana where he was director (1918-1924) of the Northern Rocky Mountain Experiment Station.

Dr. Larsen began his career at Iowa State as an Assistant Professor (1924-1947). Although he retired in 1947, Dr. Larsen continued part-time activities as an Associate Professor (1947-1950).

Dr. Larsen wrote approximately thirty articles over the course of his career, many focusing on trees in the northern Rocky Mountains. Forest fires were of particular interest to him and became a significant subject of his research and investigations. He held membership in the Society of American Foresters, the American Ecological Society, and the Iowa Academy of Science.

Dr. Larsen married Jenny Spieckermann of Oslo, Norway (1911). Together, they had two children, Einar and Margaret. Dr. and Mrs. Larsen are buried in the Iowa State Cemetery.

 

Collection description

The collection (1911-1979, n.d.) contains biographical information, correspondence, and published research articles. Many of the articles discuss forest fires and their effects on the surrounding ecology and the types of trees that could be found in the western United States. In addition, the papers include climatological research and tree growth data.

Organization

The collection is arranged with biographical information and correspondence first, followed by published articles in alphabetical order.  Research materials are filed following the published articles

1

1

Biographical information and newspaper articles

1927-1977, n.d.

1

2

Correspondence

1913-1979

1

3

“Association of Trees, Shrubs, and Other Vegetation in the Northern Idaho Forests”

1923

1

4

“Blackfeet National Forest”

1911

1

5

“Carl Alwin Schenck and the Biltmore Forest”

1961

1

6

“Climate and Forest Fires in Montana and Northern Idaho, 1901 to 1919”

1922

1

7

“Comparison of Seed Testing in Sand and in the Jacobsen Germinator”

1918

1

8

“Down the Allegash”

n.d.

1

9

“Dust Storms of Northern Idaho and Western Montana”

n.d.

1

10

“Early Researches in the Relations of Forest Fires and Unusual Weather Conditions, Humidity, Duff Moisture, and Inflammability”

1948

1

11

“Effect of Removal of the Virgin White Pine Stand Upon the Physical Factors of Site”

1922

1

12

“Fires and Forest Succession in the Bitterroot Mountains of Northern Idaho”

1929

1

13

“The Forest Fire Season at Different Elevations in Idaho”

1925

1

14

Forest fire research papers – various

n.d.

1

15

“Forest Horizons”

n.d.

1

16

“Forest Types of the Northern Rocky Mountains and Their Climatic Controls”

1930

1

17

“Forestry Students in Summer Camp”

n.d.

1

18

“Forests for Recreation”

n.d.

1

19

“Gilmour Beyers McDonald, 1883-1960”

n.d.

1

20

“Girdling as a Means of Removing Undesirable Tree Species in the Western White Pine Type”

1925

1

21

“Jack Clack”

n.d.

1

22

“Methods of Stimulating Germination of Western White Pine Seed”

1925

1

23

“Natural Reproduction After Forest Fires in Northern Idaho”

1925

1

24

“Natural Revegetation on Eroded Soils in Southeastern Ohio”

1935

1

25

“Natural Spreading of Planted Black Locust in Southeastern Ohio”

1935

1

26

“A Night Out”

n.d.

1

27

“Notes on the Forests of Southern Iowa” (1 of 2)

1938

1

28

“Notes on the Forests of Southern Iowa” – notes, references, photos, negatives (2 of 2)

1938, n.d.

1

29

“Products From Immature White Pine Stands in Idaho”

1925

1

30

“Research for the Forester”

n.d.

1

31

“Relation of Leaf Structure of Conifers to Light and Moisture”

1927

1

32

“Site Factor Variations and Responses in Temporary Forest Types in Northern Idaho”

1940

1

33

“Slash Disposal in Western White Pine Forests in Idaho”

1924

1

34

“The Smoky Trail”

n.d.

1

35

“Soil Shifting and Deposits on Palouse Area in Washington and on the Bitterroot Mountains in Idaho”

n.d

1

36

“Some Characteristics of Seeds of Coniferous Trees from the Pacific Northwest”

1922

1

37

“Some Experiments with Fertilizers for Evergreen Seedlings”

1939

1

38

“Some Factors Affecting Reproduction After Logging in Northern Idaho”

1924

1

39

“Some Pioneers and Leaders in American Forestry and Conservation”

1960

1

40

“Studies in Western Yellow Pine Nursery Practice”

1925

1

41

“Suggestions for Forest Research in Idaho”

n.d.

1

42

“Thinnings”

1936

1

43

“The Trend of Silvicultural Development in Germany”

n.d.

1

44

“Weather Records at Lookout Stations in Northern Idaho”

1922

1

45

“Why a Crooked Stream?”

1928

1

46

“Why Hardwoods Do Not Grow Naturally in the West”

n.d.

1

47

Research materials, collected data

1914-1932, n.d.