An investigation was conducted on Whiteface Mountain, New York, to determine if the dynamics of the dominant tree species, Abies balsamea, were similar among two wave areas and one nonwave area of subalpine fir forest. Associated understory populations of vascular and bryophyte species were also studied to determine their response to changes in the organization of the Abies balsamea canopy. The regeneration cycles of the wave and nonwave areas exhibited strong parallels. However, some differences were noted, particularly with respect to the transition between generations of trees. Changes in understory populations were associated with changes in the organization of the Abies balsamea population, but to differing degrees dependent upon location. It is suggested that fir wave formation is the result of the interaction between an underlying demographic process common to both wave and nonwave regions (the Abies balsamea regeneration cycle) and a directional stress imposed on the canopy by prevailing winds. This implies that wave formation does not result from a major reorganization of the demographic structure of the Abies balsamea population, but from a reorganization of the spatial distribution of regeneration stages.