l i '
' itol i
I t i ï 1 , 1 ! ’ :
" r u s i a i t i ;
additions to our resinous timber trees. P. Benthamtàna
Hartw., wiiich is in every respect nearly allied to P. ponderósa,
may also range among the valuable timber trees. It was first
discovered in 1847 by Hartweg, in Upper California, and plants
of it were raised by the Horticultural Society of London in
that year.
6035. The great pricMy-coned or SaUne'a Pine (P. Sa-
biniàna Doug.) has its leaves in threes, from 6 in. to 10 io.
long; cones very large, ovato; scales awl-shaped, and hooked:
a treo from 40 ft. to 120 ft. in height, from . Upper -OT.. California,
where it was first discovered by Douglas in the year 1852.
The tree is perfectly hardy in England, but little is known
about the quality of its wood,
6036. The great hooked or Coulter's Fine (P. Coulteri
D. Don), Leaves in threes, from 10 in. to 12 in. long; cones
oblong, very large,5, from 12 12 in.
to 18 in. long, and from 6 in.
to Sin. in diameter near tho base; scales of the cones very veryh
long,
much hooked, and bent back : a tree from 80 ft. to 100 ft. higfi.
Cones of this remarkable species were sent home along with
the foregoing by Douglas, who found it on the mountains of
Santa Lucia at an elevation of from 3000 ft. to 4000 ft. above the
trees ofthis tribe.
6037. The remarkable Pine (P. insignis Doug.). I.eaves
In threes, 5 in. to 4 in. long; cones shorter than the leaves,
III rtiiives,o 111.IV -± 111.1
and egg-shaped: i
by Douglas, in 1833, in C
of this tree is totally difft
a tree from 40 ft. to 60 ft. high, discovered
I,California. The general appearance
-............................... y different from that oi every other species
hitherto introduced: tho leaves are of a deep grass green,
thickly set on the branches. It forms a very ornamental
tree, and, according to Hartweg, who found large forests of
it in the neighbourhood of Monterey, it is a very valuable
timber tree. It is quite hardy.
6058. The Cembra Pine, or Aphemousli Pine, or Siberian
Cedar (PInits Cembra L.) (fig. 125.), is a native of Switzerland
and also of Siberia, th o u ^ it is now rarely found wild in
the former country. The general form of the tree is conical;
and in Switzerland it is of very slow growth, usuaUy not rising
more than a span in height during six years, The timber has
a most agreeable perfume, and is much used for wainscoting,
as well as for domestic utensils. Its growth in Britain is from
2 in. to 6 iu. in length in a year; and, with a view to the use
of its timber in cabinet-work, as well as to the beauty of tho
tree in scenery, it deserves to be introduced in all extensive
plantations.
6059. The Weymouth or New . rororo - ro, roQTOTEQn-g--l-a-n d Pin e (P.- 'S-t^rbUbunsk) (Lam. Pin. 31. t. 22.) (fig. 973.) forme the connecting 1
between tho pine and larch tribe. It is one of the tallest of the
genus, attaining in America the height of 100 ft. and upwards.
The bark is smooth and delicate, and the leaves soft
and of a bluish green. Vast quantities of the timber, under
the name of the white pine, are imported from America; but
the tree seems to bo of so delicate a habit, as to prevent our
expecting it ever to become a large or valuable tree with us,
especially in exposed situations. It was introduced in 1705,
by Lord Weymouth, and has been a good deal cultivated,
having formerly been supposed the most valuable tree of the
genus, next to tho common pine. Tho Weymouth pine always
arrives a t the greatest size wlicn planted by the sides of rivers.
The largest specimens are at Mersham-Hatch, Sir E. Knatch-
buU’s scat in Kent, and a t Whltton Park in Middlesex.
6CH0. The lofty or Bhotan Pine (P. cxcélsa WaUich) has
its leaves in fives, from 4 in. to 5 in. long ; cones from 6 in.
to 10 in. long by 2 in. broad at tho widest part, resembling
in every respect those of the Weymouth pine (P. Stróbus L.) :
a tree from 90 ft. to 120 ft. in height, a native of the Himalayas,
whence it was introduced in 1823. This tree is well
adapted for a warm climate, in which the Weymouth pine
would not grow.
6041. Lambert's Pine (P. Lambertidna Douglas). Leaves
in fives, from 3 in. to 4 in. long; cones from 12 in. to 18 in.
iroru. V.. Ol ¡n. to in. broad at the widest part. A nativcof
in 1827, who stated that he had seen trees of it from
150 tt. to 215 ft. in height. It is perfectly hardy.
6042. There are many other species of pine, including those
with flvo leaves ; but as they are either too tender or too little
known to be of general use, they are not enumerated in
this list.
6045. The Norway Fir, or Common Spruce Fir (K'biescxe€lsa
Poir., P. A'frifis L. (iam . Pin. 73. t. 25.) ; Sapin Epicéa, Fr. ;
IHchte, or Tanne, Ger. ; Sparreboom, Dutch ; Abiete, Ital.), is
one of the tallest of European trees, attaining from 106 ft.
to 150 ft. in height, with a very straight but not thick trunk,
and throwing out its spreading frond-liko branches so as to
form an elegant narrow cone of vivid green. It is a native
of the north of Europe and is particularly abundant, as the
name imports, in Norway: its timber being the white deal
received from that country and the Baltic ; and the smallor
trees forming! the well-known Norway spars of European
timber merchants, so much in use as masts for small craft,
and as scaffolding poles by builders. It is supposed to have
been introduced about 1648, and has been, and still is, more
cultivated than any species of the Abiétinoe, except the common
pine and the larch.
6044. Use. The timber is inferior to that of the common
pine in durability and b ulk; and, being often knotty, is not proportionably
strong for horizontal bearings with that timber,
'"hite Norway deal,a
tha . ..-rt ...U, however, is used for a great variety of
purposes in building; and the entire trees are more prized
than any other for masts for small craft, for spars both for
marine purposes and on land. What constitutes the value of
this fir is, that its timher is equally durable at any age, like
that of the larch; and what renders it peculiarly adapted for
masts, spars, scaffolding poles, &c., is tts habit of almost in
every case, whether standing single or detached, growing perfectly
erect and straight. The tree may be cut for rods,
stakes, and scythe or other implement handles, when the
trunk at the base is not more than 2 in. in diameter, and
the bark, being kept on it, it will prove almost as durable as
the larch. Pontey says that poles of spruce arc so far inferior
to those of the larch, that they are more apt to crack when
to the influence of the sun and a ir ; but in all
respects they are nearly the same, a;
or. Tho tree is peculiarly valuable
I, and closely covered with b
'rom its conical shape and r i^ d
suffocate or whip the adjoining
ilo at whatever age it is thinned
radiating heat is retained; from sha;
stem, by which it does not sufft ' ’
trees; from its being valuablo a ^
o ut; and from its bemg an excellent sbelter for the most valuable
game. It will not, however, grow in situations where the
common pine and larch will flounsli, but requires a cool, and
somewhat moist soil. It is also an excellent hedge plant for
shelter, but is deficient in point of defence and durability. By
incision, it yields a resin, from which, by various preparations,
turpentine and Burgundy pitch are formed. The tops or
sprouts (spraytsen, Ger.) give tho flavour to what is called
spruce-beer.
6045. Soil and site. Pontey says it grows rapidly on every
description of soil, from a very stiff loam, and such os possess
a very considerable degree of humidity, to a very diy sand,
provided the situation benot veryrauch exposed. Sangsaysit
luxuriates much in deep tow situations: in shallow soils and
exposed places it never succeeds. It “ should never be planted
for the sake of its wood, except in masses or groves by
itself; otherwise its timber is so coarse and knotty, that it is
hardly worth working: but In the mass way, if planted thick,
and properly |iruned and thinned afterwards, it may be trained
6046. I'he While, Uie Bed, and the Black Spruee (A. dlba,
A. riifcrn, and A. n)gra\ with somo other species, are chiefly
to be considered as ornamental trees. They are all natives
of North America, and thcir timber, which is white, possesses
nearly the samo properties as that of the European species.
The white spruce rises only to 40 ft. or 45 ft., with pale
bluish-green leaves. The black spruce is reckoned the most
durable of the tribe. “ In America, tho black spruce is used
for knees in ship-building, where neither oak nor black larch
can be easily obtained: these knees are not prepared from
two diverginf
of the base o. ... . . .
diverging roots. Some old trees of the black spruce in England,
for example at Syon, and Wardour Castle, have their
lower fronds of a timber-like size, and appear suitable for
sort of knees referred to. The timber of the red is uniand
indeed imported for this j.—j — ....... .._____
Nova Scotia, where it is also used for constructing casks f.
salted fish. It is chiefly from the decoction in waterof young
shoots of the black, and not exclusively from those of the
white spruce, as supposed by Lambert, that the celebrated
prepared
'ü(>47.
by evaporating this decoction to the c :e of .
..17. Insects. The Cdccus abletis, and occasionally the
others which infest tho common pine.
6048. The Khutrow Spruce Fir (A'bies Khi.trow'): a tree
from 60 ft. to 60 ft. in height, resembling the common spruce.
It has been found that this freewill thrive well in any situation,
and in a hot climate, where thecommon spruce will not grow:
it is therefore highly to be recommended on that account.
6049. The trident-bracted or Ilouglas's 5nj-uce (A'bies
DouglAsii Lindl.) was found by Douglas, in 1826, on the northwest
coast of North America. It is one of the liandsoincst and
it rapid-growing species; and perfectly liardy. It produces
cones in England every year, and a great number of plants
. . . nnually''raiscd ■ ’ from " ..........-’seeds tained obtained ■
from these cones.
6050. The Hemlock Spruce (A'bios canadénsis Lani. Pin. 50.
- ios caí________ - ...........
t. 32.; P. canadénsis 9 Lin.) I (fig................................................
974. c) is a drooping, low.
•..........’ — .........................mtal. _
ouoi. J nc j'iicrt or Oliver z'lJ Lz-icca pectinàta z-owa.,/!. i. n-tti
W. (Lam. Pin. 46. t. 30.), Sapin commun, Fr.) (yip.974. a) is
a lofty e- a tree, forming a E broader at the base, in
propo'rtiorf m*i?8
more stable and majestic figure than any o f ........................
I t frequently attains the height of 100 ft, in England, and
trees have been cut down in the park at Woburn Abbey upwards
of 110 ft. high. It is more thiuly covered with frondlike
branches than the spruce, and differs from it also in
regard to the frondlcts, wliich, when they grow old, and begin
to decay, do not droop dowu as in that tree, Init remain rigid
till the last. The upper surface of the leaves is of a line vivid
green, and their under surface has t«o white lines running
lengthwise on each side of the midrib, giving the leaves that
silvery look, whence has arisen the name. It flowers in W.ay,
and the cones are ripe in Deccmher. It is a native of the Alps
and Germany, was known here in 1605, and has hceii a good
deal planted as an ornamental tree. It grows faster for tho
flrst twenty or thirty years of its gro-wlh than any other tree of
the Abletlncc, except tho larch, and probably the A. DougUsii.
6053, Use. The timher is reckoned inferior to that of the
common pine, and is not of much value till of forty or fifty
years’ growth. According to Sang, though till of late years
planted only as an ornamental tree, “ yet there is, perliaps,
none of the genus more worthy of cultivation for the sake of
its timber.” It is more prolific in resinous matter than any
of the fir kind, and hence it derives Us name of pitch flr.
6055. Its soil and site, are nearly similar to those most desirable
for the common spruce; but it requires a climate
rather milder, and a more loamy earth. On poor sand»,
where the common pine and larcu will thrive, it dies off in
a year or two after planting. None of the genus are more
m^estic on a lawn; but Its characteristic or natural situation
is in dells, and on Uie sides of sheltered rocky steeps.
6054. The Balm of Gilead Fir (P. balsdmea) (Lam. Pin.
48. t. 31.) (fig. 974. 5) is an American tree of much smaller
stature, and more delicate habits, than the silver flr. Its
timber is of little value: nor can the tree be reckoned very
ornamental, though frequently planted for the sake of variety.
The balm or resm procured from it possesses no medical
OT--OT- -- ________________________________on turpentine ; b
tree during summer sends out a pleasing terebinthinate odour.
6055. Among the Silver Firs, the foUowing maybe mentioned
as likely to become useful as timber trees; but they
, ,t the present time, too rare to bo planted for that purpose,
and are only to be found in piiietums, or iu pleasure-
grounds.
6056. r/ícCcjJialoftíouSiíiJerí’ir (Piceacephalónicaioud.).
A tree from 60 f t to 70 f t high, from Ccplialonia, on the
Blaek Mountain. Of this species nnd the following there are a
great many in this country. P. cephalónica was introduced
by General Sir Charles Napier.
6057. The Pinsapo Silver Fir (Picea Pinsàpo Loud,). A
tree from 60ft. to 70ft. high; a native of Spain, on the
Sierra de la Nieve, and on other mountains between Ronda and
Malaga.
6058. The great Silver Fir (Pícea grándis Dotto.). A tree
from 100 ft. to 200 f t high. It was found by Douglas, in
1831, in Northern California, in low and moist valleys.
6059. The lovely Silver Fir (Picea amàbiiis
tree from 80 ft. to 100 f t high. Cones of it w.
by Douglas, in 1851, from California.
6060. 7'he noble or large-bracted Silver Fir (Picea nóbilis
Doug.). A tree from 80 ft. to 100 ft. high, from Northern
California, where it forms vast forests on the mountains.
m i: 7’he purple-coned or TF«65’s SUvei- Fir (Pícea M’elib-
iána Wall.), and the Pindrow or Tooth-leaved Silver Fir
(Picea Pindrow Royle), are two species from the Himalayas,
both of them from 60 ft. to 100 ft. in height. Thoy are both
perl’ectly hardy, and are very ornamental.
0062. Nordmann's Silver Fir (Picca Nordmaunídna Stev.).
From the north of Asia, on the summit of Adshar; the hoiglit
of the tree is from 80 f t to 90 ft.
6063. Several species of fir belonging to this division have
lately been introduced from North America and Nepal; some
of which are rapid-growing trees, which will attain a height
still greater thau that of the silver fir, Various particulars
respecting those trees which interest the cultivator will be
found in our Arboretum Britannicum, and also in our Ency-
cloptedia of Trees and Shrubs.
6064. Collections of coniferous trees, commonly called pine-
tums, have of late becomo very fashionable; the first which
were formed were those at Dropmore and Fonthill; but now
there is hardly a first-rate residence, and not many spcoiid-
ratc estates, where a pinetum has not been planted. Among
tho most complete collections of coniferous trees, wo may
enumerate tho following: — The Earl of Harrington’s, at Elvaston
Castle, Derbyshire; and Lady Grenville’s, at Dropmore,
Buckinghamshire; also those of W. H, Baker, Esq., at Bay-
foidbury, Hertfordshire; Duke of Devonshire, at Chatsworth,
Derbyshire; the Horticultural Society of London; the
Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew; Duke of Bedford, at Woburn
Abbey; Sir Charles Lemon, at Carclew, iu Cornwall; and
several others.
6065. The Common Larch is the Ldria: europcFa Deo. (Lam.
Pin. 53. 35.) Dari* or Métise, F r.; L&rchenbaum, Ger.;
Lorkeiiboom, Dutcli; and Lárice, Ital. It rises to 80ft. or
100 ft. high, forming a narrow cone of small white-barked,
caducous, pendulous branches, with delicate drooping spray.
It is a native of the alpine monntains, on tho north sides of
which, in hollows and chasms, it attains to its greatest height
and thickness, and most durable timber. Its timber is said
to last four times longer than that of the pine grown at the
same elevation. In returning from Italy by tlie Simplon,
the silver fir will be found iu great perfection in the hollows
on the south side, the common Scotch pine on the summit,
and the larch in descending to the Valíais. It appears to
havo been cuitivatcd by i’arkinson in 1629; and Evelyn, in
1 C6Í, speaks of a treo of good stature, “ not long since to be
seen at Clielmsford, in Essex (also mentioned by Hartc),
which sufficiently reproaches our not cultivating so useful a
material for many purposes.” Harte, in his excellent essays,
published in 1715, gives a figure of the larch, and strongly
rccoininends il is first introduced into Scotland
in 1741, planted by the Duko of Athol at Dunkeld ; and these
last trees have prospered so astonishingly, .and tho timber produced
from sucli as have been cut down has so fully answered
all the eulogiuins that have been bestowed on it, that the
larch is now considered, on the whole, as decidedly the most
valuablo timber tree, not even excepting the oak. Some of
the first-planted larches in the low grounds, near Dunkeld,
have grown to the height of 120 ft. iu fifty years, which gives
au average of 2 ft. 4J in. a year. It is stated by the Duite of
Athol, ill a communication to the Horticultural Society, made
in .Tune, 1820, tliat on mountainous tracts, at an elevation of
1500 ft or 1600 ft., the larch, at eighty years of age, has arrived
at a size to produce six loads (500'cubic ft.) of timber, appearing,
in durability and every other quality, to be likely to
answer every purpose, both by sea and land. (Hort. Trans.,
vol. iv. p. 416.) Professor Martyn (Miller's Diet, in loco) has
brought together a mass of valuable information respecting tlic
history of the larch of this country, and its uses in others.
Tliat singularly accomplished agricultural writer, Dr. Anderson,
did much to promote its increase by his essays and other
works from 1750 to 1790 ; and, subsequently, the Bishop of
Llandaff, Marshall, Nicol, Pontey, and Sang have each, in
practice, aud by thoir popular publications, contributed to
spread the tree ; and now several millions are annually planted
in the mountainous districts of the empire. The larcii, Sang
observes, passes all other timber trees, for the first ten or
twenty years after planting, and will arrive at a timber size in
almost any situation or soil. It boars, he says, “ the ascendency
over the Scotch pine in the following important circumstances:
that it brings double the price, at least, per measurable
foot; that it will arrive at an useful limber size in one
half or a third part of tbe time, in general, which the flr requires
; and, above all, that the timber of the larch, at thirty
or forty years old, when placed in soil and climate adapted to
the production of perfect timber, is in every respect superior in
quality to that of the flr al a li undred years old. In short, it is
probable that the larch will supersede the Scotch pine in most
situations in this island, at no very distant period.” The
greatest practical source of information respecting the larch
which exists, is to bo found in the Transactions of the Highland
Society of Scotland, vol. ix., in which the whole history
of the larcn culture, aud uses, at Dunkeld, is detailed from
authorities furnished by the Duke of Athol. We have given
the essence of this paper in the flrst additional Supplement
to OUT Eneyclopeedia of Agriculture, to which we refer the
reader.
6066. Use of the tree. Much has been said of the durability
of larch timber in Italy : its resistance to fire, according to some
(Matthiolus), and its gi eat combustibility, according to others
(Du Ilamel) ; its durability under water (at Venice), and even
its not being liable to warp (Harte), thougli this liability constitutes
its great and almost only defect. We shall confine
ourselves to its uses, as experimentally proved, in B ritain; and
perhaps wo shall do this ivith most effect by stating that It
may be used for all the purposes for which tho best foreign
deal is applied ; for many of those of the oak ; and that it is
more durable than any other timber when placed in a situation
between wet and dry, especially if the bark be not removed,
it being still more incorruptible than the wood. The
hark is also of considerable value io tanning ; a circumstanco
of great importance, since it is found thatdisbarking a year or
more prenously to felling is the best mode of seasoning the
timber, and preventing it from warping, or being attacked
by the dry or n et rot. One property almost peculiar to the
t i r é !