78 FARM FORESTRY 



tree it is probable that the native white spruce will in the end 

 be a better tree to plant. Trees at about 40 or 50 years of 

 age begin to grow ragged in the tops, showing that the tree 

 is not especially adapted to the climate. 



European Larch (Larix Europea). European larch is a 

 native of the northern part of Europe, growing in the cooler 

 and higher altitudes. It has been planted extensively in this 

 country for ornamental purposes, and also for posts and poles. 

 It is a fast grower, but seldom reaches more than a height 

 of 80 feet and a diameter of 2 to 3 feet. At 40 years of age 

 trees often reach 50 to 60 feet in height and 6 to 7 inches in 

 diameter. It is an intolerant tree, and so does not cast a 

 heavy shade on the ground or maintain good forest condi- 

 tions. It should be mixed with some other tree that will fur- 

 nish the necessary shade, as white pine, white spruce or red 

 oak. The larch should be spaced about 10 feet by 10 feet 

 and rilled in with the other species. It requires a fresh, well 

 drained, moderately heavy soil. It does not do well on sand 

 or gravel or on wet situations. The wood is heavy, fairly" 

 hard, and durable in contact with the ground. It would be 

 a good tree to plant for fence posts were it not for the danger 

 of the larch sawfly, which attacks and kills the trees by de- 

 foliating them. Seedlings for planting can be purchased from 

 nurserymen. 



Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) . The red cedar is the 

 most widely distributed coniferous tree in the United States, 

 being distributed throughout the forests east of the Dakotas 

 and Texas. In the region of its best development it forms 

 pure forests, but it usually grows in association with a large 

 number of hardwood trees. It grows under almost any con- 

 dition of soil and moisture, from dry rocky ridges to fertile 

 bottomlands. It is particularly well adapted to the semi-arid 

 plains, where but few other trees will succeed. In the South 

 it sometimes grows 100 feet high and 3 feet in diameter, but 

 usually it does not exceed 30 feet in height. The growth is 



