Soil is a factor, but the biggest factor was that all these trees were  
growing along the edge of the roads/trails
and probably leaned out for the light.  Very few trees are down  even  20 
feet back into the woods.  There are literally thousands of  trees down 
criss-crossing the trails.  Our scout troop did a 10 mile hike  there with 35 
pound packs last weekend. It was quite a test of endurance.   We counted 37 
tress across the trail in one 1/4 mile stretch. The bright side is  when they 
get to Philmont this summer it will seem like a piece of cake.
 
 
 
Tom  Beal
Glenn Dale, MD PG Co
(just west of  Bowie)