PINACE.E 347 



2,500-7,500 ft. It appears to have been introduced into England 

 in 1839 and has proved one of the most successful conifers in 

 cultivation. 



Wood similar in appearance and uses to P. excelsa. It does not 

 appear to be of any economic importance in N.W. Europe, but 

 takes the place of P. excelsa in the E. Mediterranean region. 

 Young trees are used for Christmas trees in common with P. 

 excelsa. 



As a cultivated tree in Britain it gives excellent results, but 

 is usually planted more for ornamental than for commercial 

 purposes. It might well be grown under forest conditions, 

 however, particularly in the warmer parts of the country where 

 the results might be expected to equal those of common spruce. 

 It is less susceptible to insect attack than P. excelsa. The dwarf 

 forms are excellent plants for rock-gardens. 



Elwes and Henry, loc. cit. vi, 13G2 (1912). 



Picea polita, Carriere. (Fig. 79.) 

 Tiger-tail Spruce. 



Abies Torano, Siebold ; A. polita, Siebold and Zvxccarini. 



The tallest of the Japanese spruces, sometimes attaining a 

 height of 130 ft. but usually only about half that size, with a 

 girth of 3-9 ft. Bark rough, pale grey, hghtly furrowed, breaking 

 into small irregular-shaped flakes. Branches numerous, horizontal, 

 forming a tree of pyramidal outline. Young shoots stout, yellow- 

 ish brown, shining, without hairs. Buds ovoid, with obtuse, 

 reddish brown, closely pressed scales. Leaves spreading all round 

 the shoot, |-| in. long, with their tips pointing upwards, stout, 

 curved, sickle-like, four-sided, but shghtly compressed in section, 

 ending in a spine-like point, stomata on each surface. Cones 

 ovoid or cylindrical, stalldess, 3-4 in, long, 1| in. wide, shin- 

 ing yellowish-green when growing, reddish brown or cinnamon- 

 coloured when mature ; scales roundish with the upper margin 

 rounded and minutely toothed ; bracts minute. Seed | in. long, 

 with a wing | in. long. 



The stout, stiff, sickle-shaped leaves, ending in prickly points, 

 resemble those of no other spruce. 



As a native tree, P. polita is confined to the main island of 

 Japan, where, according to WUson, it is distributed from the 

 Nikko region southwards, being apparently always found in 

 volcanic soils of recent formation. It is nowhere common except 

 at the northerly end of Lake Yamanaka, where there is a pure 

 forest growing on an old lava flow. This spruce is much culti- 

 vated in Japan for decorative purposes. It was introduced into 

 cultivation by John Gould Veitch in 1861. 



