A MANUAL OF FORESTRY. 



height of the indigenous trees of temperate Europe, up 

 to 150 feet, with a diameter up to 5 feet. 



In volume-growth it is only surpassed by Silver and 

 Douglas Firs. 



Its maximum age may be placed at 300 years. 



e. Reproductive Power. 



Spruce begins bearing full crops of seed after the age 

 of 50 years ; they are heavy, and, under favourable 

 conditions, occur about every 3 to 5 years. On the 

 whole, reproduction by seed is favourable, more so than 

 that of the other shade-bearing species. There is no 

 reproduction from the stool. 



/. Character and Composition of Woods. 



Spruce occurs in extensive pure woods, for which it 

 is well adapted ; it has a dense foliage, and preserves a 

 complete cover for a considerable time, in fact until near 

 maturity. Under its shelter a heavy growth of moss 

 springs up, which keeps the soil moist ; at the same 

 time the shallow root- system of the Spruce is liable to 

 drain the upper layers of the soil. 



It is a suitable tree for mixture with many species, 

 such as Silver Fir, Beech, Larch, and Scotch Pine, but 

 less so with Oak, which is liable to become stag-headed 

 in mixture with Spruce. It is not so well suited for 

 underplanting as Beech and Silver Fir. If mixed with 

 Silver Fir and Beech it is apt to outgrow and injure 

 them. 



