126 



Trees, Stars, and Birds 



and along the coast of 

 Oregon, Washington, 

 and British Columbia, 

 where it grows taller 

 than any tree in the 

 Eastern forests. In the 

 interior of the continent 

 it is not a remarkably 

 large tree, but on the 

 Pacific coast it fre- 

 quently exceeds 250 feet 

 in height and 10 feet in 

 diameter. Ladders used 

 by fire departments are 

 made from its wood, 

 for it is light, straight 

 grained, and free from 

 knots. Large quantities 

 of this wood are used for 

 building and other pur- 

 poses. Many masts and 

 flag-poles are made of it. 

 When the Douglas fir 



grows in open places, the lowest branches, like those of 

 various spruces, touch the ground. It grows rapidly and 

 is a handsome tree. In the moist, mild atmosphere of 

 England it was found to thrive as soon as introduced, but 

 in our Northeastern states the climate is too severe for it. 

 It has been found recently that stock from the mountains 

 of Colorado is perfectly hardy, so that the tree may now 

 be successfully planted in various parts of this country. 



U. S. Forest Serolce 



FIG. 83. Red fir forest on Mount Shasta 

 at an elevation of 5000 feet. 



