SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART VIII 153 



The tree will withstand wet situations but not stagnant or swampy 

 areas. The growth during the first 10 or 12 years is rather slow but 

 the rate increases after that time and continues until the trees are 

 about thirty-five years of age. The length of life when grown in Iowa 

 under good conditions is not definitely known. 



The Wood: The wood is light, soft, non-resinous and moderately 

 durable. It has been little used in this country because it has not been 

 extensively planted for commercial purposes. In Europe it is used 

 very commonly for lumber, paper pulp, and fuel. Bcause of the persist- 

 ence of the side branches even in a dense stand, the lumber is generally 

 knotty. 



Planting: The Norway spruce is one of the most efficient of the 

 trees used for windbreaks in Iowa. It has a rather dense foliage and 

 the branches remain intact for a number of years, even in a relatively 

 dense shade. Space the trees about 10 by 14 feet apart, when so placed, 

 a very effective windbreak is produced in a few years. A desirable 

 combination is to alternate rows of white cedar and Norway spruce. 



For commercial planting, an 8x8 foot spacing is desirable. The 

 presence of side branches on trees grown in an open stand, decreases the 

 technical value of the lumber produced. Three to five year-old trans- 

 planted stock is proper for windbreak or woodlot planting. Because 

 of the compact root system the trees are easily handled in the plant- 

 ing operation. 



For lawns, the Norway spruce is one of the most beautiful trees avail- 

 able for Iowa. The drooping branchlets on trees thirty to forty years old 

 make them very attractive. 



The tree is suitable for planting in all portions of Iowa except the 

 drier, more exposed localities in the northwestern part. 



RED CEDAR ( JUNIPER) — (Juniperus virginiana). 



The Tree: The red cedar is one of the most widely distributed of 

 the American evergreen trees. It is native to Iowa and has in the 

 past been found in considerable quantities along the rivers in the eastern 

 part of the state. The native timber has been cut for fence posts and 

 few of the original trees remain. Open grown trees on good soil are 

 spire shaped while those grown on exposed, wind swept situations are 

 more scrubby and irregular in growth. It is one of the least exacting 

 of the American trees in regard to soil and climate conditions. It is 

 found on soils ranging from the best to those of poor quality in the 

 semi-arid regions of the country. On wet soils the growth is retarded. 

 The tree seldom attains a height greater than 50 feet in Iowa. The 

 crown is less dense and the rapidly tapering trunk is generally more 

 or less fluted at the base. Full sunlight is required for best development, 

 although the trees in central Iowa make a height growth of 25 to 35 feet 

 in 30 years. It is classed as strong grower. In native groves the trees 

 reproduce under the shade of broadleaf trees. 



The Wood: The red cedar or juniper wood is one of the most durable 

 of the American woods. It is light and soft with a fine compact grain. A 



