I'm not disputing the soil conditions but I am disputing the statement that trees can't/don't grow on the steep mountainsides. I hunt/fish/explore the mountains of northcentralPA from the Pine Creek Valley west to the Sinnemahoning, south toward Snow Shoe and north into Potter county.I've been up and down those mountains since the 60's.My cabin is near Kettle Creek State Park. Some of my favorite memories (recent and long ago)were hunts in the Hammersley Wild Area.