REFORESTATION IN MASSACHUSETTS. 7 



sirable for underplanting in hardwood stands, a good combina- 

 tion being spruce and hemlock. 



Red Spruce (Picea rubra) . This tree is the timber spruce 

 of the northeast, and is now the most important species in 

 New England in size of cut. It will grow in northern Massa- 

 chusetts on the higher elevations, preferably in mixture with 

 pine and hemlock. It will grow in the shade of other trees for 

 many years, and shows marked recuperative ability when sud- 

 denly exposed to the light. 



Growth is not rapid, and large size is not reached by this 

 species; but good straight timber is produced, which finds a 

 ready market. The limbs persist, as in the case of white pine, 

 and the best clear timber is grown in mixed stands. 



The tree reproduces itself well when the leaf litter on the 

 ground is not too thick, and seedlings start readily under the 

 mature trees of the same species, forming a stand containing 

 trees of all ages. 



The uses of the w*ood are well known, building timber, 

 piano sounding-boards, inside finish, clapboards and pulp-wood. 



American Larch (Larix laricina) and European Larch (Larix 

 decidua, Mill). The American larch, also known as tamarack 

 and hackmatack, is the only native deciduous conifer in Massa- 

 chusetts. In winter, after the needles have been shed, it pre- 

 sents the appearance of a dead tree. It bears little resemblance 

 to any of our native conifers, but closely resembles the Euro- 

 pean larch (Larix decidua, Mill), which may be distinguished 

 by its larger cones, stouter twigs and more abundant leaves. 

 The European larch is the more rapid grower, and will thrive 

 in a less moist and less fertile soil than the native species. 

 Larch should be planted in mixture with other trees, among 

 which are recommended spruce, balsam, fir and hemlock. The 

 principal uses are ship and boat timber, telegraph poles, fence 

 posts and railroad ties. 



Balsam Fir (Abies balsamed). This tree is of small com- 

 mercial importance in Massachusetts, but is recommended for 

 certain areas where other more valuable species are hard to 

 propagate, notably in swampy land, and for use in underplant- 

 ing. It is sometimes planted in mixture and thinned out later 

 for Christmas trees. Tolerance and comparative freedom from 



