22 CONIFEROUS TREES 



tree is 42 feet high, the branches being so 

 pendulous that no part of their spread exceeds 



4 feet in diameter, while they hang down parallel 

 to the main stem for from 3 to 5 feet in length. 

 The leaves are much shorter than those of the 

 species, rarely more than from one-half to three- 

 quarters of an inch long, but are characterised by 

 the same silvery bands on the under and deep 

 green on the upper surfaces. 



A. PiNSAPO, Boissier. Spanish Silver Fir. 

 (Synonyms : Pinus Pinsapo, Antoini ; Picea Pin- 

 sapo, Loudon.) Southern Spain. 1839. — The 

 short and prickly foliage, extreme density and 

 rigidity, combined with compact growth and a 

 unique appearance, at once distinguish this from 

 all other silver firs. When favourably situated, 

 few trees are more ornamental and effective ; but 

 to see it in its beauty it must be planted singly, or 

 sufficiently apart from others so that the branches 

 may have room for full development. It is most 

 attractive during late spring or early summer, for 

 then the young growths make a striking contrast 

 with the older fohage, the whole forming a regular 

 and compact cone of the finest colour. There is 

 also a stately and dignified air about this tree that 

 one cannot help admiring, and which is further 

 enhanced by the regularly whorled branches, as 

 well as the brightly tinted rigid leaves, which 

 are short, sharp or blunt, and thickly arranged 

 all round and at right angles to the stem. The 

 numerous beautiful purplish green, ovate-cylin- 

 drical cones stand well out and are often fully 



5 inches long. The latter constitute a striking 

 feature of the tree. In so far as the economic 



