The Trees of Vermont 33 



PINACEAE 



Eed Pine. Norway Pine 

 Pinus resinosa Ait. 



Habit. — A large tree 50-75 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 2-3 

 feet ; stout, horizontal branches form a broad, rounded, rather open 

 crown. 



Leaves. — In clusters of two; 4-6 inches long; slender, straight, 

 needle-shaped, sharp-pointed, flexible, from elongated, persistent 

 sheaths ; lustrous dark green. Persistent 4-5 years. 



Flowers. — April-May ; monoecious ; the staminate in oblong, 

 dense clusters, Yz-Ya inch long, composed of many sessile, purple 

 anthers imbricated upon a central axis ; the pistillate single or few- 

 clustered at the end of the branchlets, subglobose ; scales ovate, scarlet, 

 borne on stout peduncles covered with pale brown bracts. 



Fruit. — Autumn of second season, falling the next summer; 

 ovate-conical, nearly sessile cones, about 2 inches long ; scales thickened 

 at the apex ; seeds oval, compressed, light mottled-brown, with wings 

 Y2-Ya i"ch long. 



Winter-buds. — About ^ inch long, ovoid or conical, acute, red- 

 brown, with rather loose scales. 



Bark. — Twigs orange-brown, becoming rough with the persistent 

 bases of leaf-buds ; thick and red-brown on the trunk, shallowly fissured 

 into broad, flat ridges. Plate I. 



Wood. — Light, hard, very close-grained, pale red, with thin, 

 yellow to white sapwood. Page 217. 



Distribution. — Scattered groups or small groves occur on the 

 dry, rocky headlands of Lake Champlain and it may be found in similar 

 soils in the river valleys throughout Vermont, although it is less fre- 

 quent in the southern counties. 



Habitat. — Poor soils ; sandy plains and dry woods. 



Notes. — The red pine makes a rapid growth on our better soils. 

 It is difficult to transplant but should be used extensively. 



The name "red pine" is appropriate both because of the pale red 

 color of the heart wood and the distinctly reddish cast of the bark. 

 This species does not grow in Norway or elsewhere in Europe, and it 

 is said that it received the name from the town of Norway, Maine. 

 The name "Norway pine" has so little fitness as applied to this tree, and 

 evidently is so misleading that its use is to be discouraged. 



The picturesqueness and individuality of the red pine commend it 

 for wider use as an ornamental tree. 



