Larches 229 



Fir, is one of the most important, large timber trees of the West, with a 

 wide range, from the arid slopes of the Rocky Mountains in Mexico 

 and Arizona to the humid shores of the Pacific in British Columbia. 

 For eastern planting it is most important to secure plant material from 

 the proper region (high northern slopes of eastern Rocky Mountains) 

 in order to secure hardiness. For lack of proper selection of seed, 

 many failures in all points for which the species is famous have occurred. 

 Otherwise it is one of the finest conifers, rivaling the hemlocks which 

 it resembles in the pendulous habit of its branchlets and in its flexible 

 foliage, while in the greater length of the latter it resembles the firs 

 (but its purple bud is the sure mark of distinction). Its pendent cones 

 with trident bracts extending from under the scales add to its interest 

 and beauty. It varies greatly in pendulousness and in length and color 

 of the foliage, which sometimes is as silvery blue as the blue spruce. 

 The mountain form is best, hence selection is necessary. It is adaptive 

 to all soils, but prefers lighter ones. In suitable localities it is one of 

 the most rapid-growing conifers, and easily transplanted, being shallow- 

 rooted like the spruce and, also like the latter, tolerant of shade. To 

 emphasize its beauty it is best planted in single trees. 



P. macrocar pa L.emm.on. {42 bis), a species lately differentiated from 

 the former, comes from southern California, and hence is not fit for 

 eastern planting, at least not in the North. 



LARCHES 



Larix and Pseudolarix. Ten species of tall and medium-sized trees, 

 of northern and alpine range. What the white birch represents among 

 the broad-leaved trees, the larch represents among the conifers, namely, 

 the elements of delicate feminine grace, especially when the soft feathery 

 light green foliage of earliest spring appears on the small protuberances 

 or spurs of the slender branches. It is the first tree to leaf out (these 

 being deciduous-leaved conifers), turning into golden yellow autumn 

 tints, and adding beauty by the cones, which are purple red when young. 

 The branch system is slender, sometimes pendulous; its conical outline 

 is often straggling and not very beautiful, but if placed against a bold 

 backgrotmd is striking and picturesque with its spiry top. They are 

 very rapid growers and most light-needing, and hence fit only for open, 

 sunny positions. Unfortunately they are subject to insects (leaf miners) 

 and fungus diseases. They should be used with greatest discretion 



