SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART VIII .47 



pearance and somewhat resembles that of the red pine. The needles are 

 sometimes 8 inches in length. 



This pine has been planted extensively in the western part of the 

 country. The seedlings develop a long tap root and nursery stock, un- 

 less transplanted, is very difficult to handle successfully. The initial 

 growth of this pine in central Iowa is considerably slower than the red 

 pine but, without question, it will resist drier situations than the latter 

 after being successfully planted. 



The Wood: The wood is strong, rather light and is not durable, except 

 after treatment with a preservative. The timber is one of those most 

 extensively used for lumber. 



Planting: The western yellow pine is very serviceable for windbreak 

 and shelterbelt planting in Iowa. For this purpose the trees should be 

 spaced from 10 to 12 feet apart in the rows. If more than one row is 

 planted, it is often desirable to use also a second species, such as the Nor- 

 w^ay spruce, which might make up the interior portion of the windbreak. 

 Use only well-rooted, transplanted stock from 8 to 12 inches in height. 

 This variety is especially adapted to northwestern Iowa. 



It is questionable if the western yellow pine should be used to any 

 great extent for commercial planting in the state, since in most localities 

 faster growing trees are available. 



The tree is used extensively for ornamental planting. Open grown 

 specimens are symmetrical and the coarse, long needles often give a 

 pleasing contrast to the foliage of the broadleaf trees or other ever- 

 greens. 



AusTiuAx rixi-: — (Pinus nustriaca). 



The Tree: The Austrian pine is a native of Europe but has been 

 widely planted in the United States with splendid results. Iowa grown 

 trees form a straight, stocky trunk with heavy limbs, when open grown. 

 The branches do not appear in such distinct whorls as is the case with 

 the white pine, consequently the ornamental value is somewhat less 

 altho the tree has a beautiful dark-green, coarse foliage very closely re- 

 sembling the red pine. The growth of the tree during the first ten years 

 in central Iowa is more rapid than that of the western yellow pine; is 

 less rapid than that of the white, red or jack pines, and is almost equal 

 to that of the Scotch pine. In hardiness the tree compares favorably 

 with the yellow and Scotch pines. Many growing specimens of this 

 species thruout the state would indicate that the Austrian pine makes a 

 good growth for 40 years or more, altho it is generally classed as a 

 short-lived species. 



The tree is a tap rooter and, as a result, is more difficult to handle 

 in planting than those with a spreading root system. It is well adapted 

 for planting in the drier portions of the state, although in these localities 

 the growth is somewhat slower. It is a tree which thrives on rocky 

 locations both in Europe and in this country. 



The Wood: The wood is coarse, soft, rather brittle and of inferior 

 value. It is not durable except after treatment with a preservative. The 

 wood has been used very little in the United States, although if grown 



