PINACE^ 445 



The following varieties have been described, but are not 

 in cultivation in Britain. 



Var. aurea. 



Golden-leaved Monterey Pine. 

 A golden-leaved variety raised in New Zealand. 



Var. binata. 

 Two-leaved Monterey Pine, 

 Differs from the type in its leaves being usually in pairs. 



P. radiata is distinguished from all other three-leaved pines 

 by its slender, bright green leaves, and large, oblique, persistent 

 cones. 



Native of Monterey County, California, where its distribution 

 is limited to a very small area of hilly ground near the sea. It 

 was introduced to England by Douglas in 1833. 



Wood light, 25-28 lb. per cubic ft., soft, brittle, with con- 

 spicuous resin ducts, fine medullary rays, and often very wide 

 annual rings, sometimes f-lj in. apart. Heartwood Ught brown 

 or brownish purple, sapwood white or pale yellow, comparable 

 with P. Pinaster in quality. The species is of little commercial 

 value in its native country, but is an important timber tree in 

 several countries to which it has been introduced, notably, S. 

 Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, where its rapid growth 

 adapts it for a short rotation crop. Although the timber is 

 inferior in quality to that of several other species, there are many 

 purposes for which it can be utihzed, notably indoor work in 

 building construction and box-making. 



The principal advantages of this species are rapid growth, 

 dense leafage, and ability to withstand considerable exposure to 

 strong sea winds. The cheerful, bright green, luxuriant foliage 

 makes it a favourite tree for shelter and ornamental planting, 

 but it is only adapted for the warmer, maritime counties of the 

 British Isles, although good trees are occasionally found else- 

 where. Well -grown examples of full size occur in the S. and W. 

 of England, but at Kew and in other inland gardens growth is 

 slow, and the foliage is frequently browned by cold winds during 

 winter and early spring. In Devonshire and Cornwall, trees 50 

 years old may be 70-80 ft. high, and of massive proportions. The 

 Monterey pine grows best in light, moist, but well-drained loamy or 

 sandy soil, whilst trees in disintegrated granite are very vigorous, 

 often adding 3 ft. or more to their height in the year. Planting 

 in permanent positions whilst the trees are very small, preferably, 

 less than 1| ft. high, is very necessary. Although it has not been 

 used as a forest tree in the British Isles, its rapid growth warrants 

 it a trial in the milder maritime counties, for there are many pur- 



