30 



Native Trees of Canada 



but develops best in well-drained, moist valleys. It forms pure stands but is often 



found mixed with balsam fir, hemlock, white birch, yellow birch, and sugar maple. 



On account of its fine grain and textiu-e, and its distinct reddish tinge, the wood 



of this species is often preferred to that of the other spruces, especially for interior 



finish. The wood is stronger and more durable than white spruce, but is not always 

 separated from the other species when sawn into lumber. It is a valuable pulp 

 species and is used as lumber much in the same way as white and black spruce. 



PICEA CANADENSIS (Mill.) B. S. P. WHITE SPRUCE 



Common names: White spruce, single spruce, skunk spruce, 

 northern spruce (Labrador), pine* (Hudson Bay), cat 

 spruce (Nova Scotia). 

 French names: Epinette blanche, epinette grise, epinette a biere, 

 sapinette blanche (France), sapin blanc. 

 In favourable situations the white spruce reaches a height of 100 ft. and a 

 diameter of 4 ft. The average height is much less, however, being about 50 ft. 

 with a diameter of 1}^ to 2 ft. 



The trunk is often branchy, and the crown is deep except in very dense stands. 

 The crown is also very symmetrical and narrow and at a distance has a very spire- 

 like appearance. It is very shallow-rooted. 



