26 CONIFEROUS TREES 



A. WEBBIANA, Lindley, Webb's Silver Fir. 

 (Synonyms : Picea Webbiana, Loudon ; Pinus 

 Webbiana, Wallich ; Abies chiloensis, of gardens.) 

 Eastern Himalayas. 1822. — This is one of the 

 handsomest denizens of the Himalayan forests ; 

 but, unfortunately, it is not well suited for the 

 climate of this country, being what is usually 

 termed *' spring tender.'' By careful choice of 

 soil and situation, many fine specimens have, 

 however, been reared, principally in seaside parts 

 of the country, and these have amply rewarded 

 the trouble taken to suit their particular wants 

 by their stately grandeur and distinct appearance. 

 The leaves are deep glossy green above, with two 

 broad and very conspicuous silvery bands beneath, 

 very variable in size and arrangement, usually 

 bifid, and about 2 inches long. The cones, before 

 becoming ripe, and when they have attained to 

 full size, are highly ornamental, and remarkably 

 weighty from the great quantity of resin they con- 

 tain. They are about 7 inches long, of a deep 

 purple colour, and generally several occur on the 

 same branch ; indeed, with their number and 

 weight, I have more than once seen large branches 

 broken off the trees. So strikingly different in 

 general appearance is this tree that no mistake 

 can ever occur in confusing it with any other 

 species. Where it does well, the growth is long 

 and stout, but too frequently the tips of the 

 branches are bitten by frost in early spring, and 

 when this has occurred several times the tree 

 wears a by no means pleasing appearance. Usually 

 the tree does well and escapes frost-bite when 

 planted in cold and stiffish soil and facing north 



