Handkook of Treks of tjib Nortiiekn States and Canada. 



Tlie Black Spruce in forest {growth, wlicre f 

 climate and conditions are most favorable, is 

 found sometimes attaining tlie height of Sd - 

 100 ft., with a trunk "2-3 ft. in diameter, hut 

 sucii conditions are only found in regions 

 north of the United States where the climate 

 is too severe for the endurance of most of our 

 trees. 



This tree with the Tamarack marks tlie 

 limit of tree growth in the far north and 

 e> tends in raiigi» nearly across the continent, 

 growing alike on holtom-lands and mountain 

 slopes. Within the limits of the Tnited 

 States, however, conditions seem to be Ifss 

 favorable. Here it is confined to low bottom- 

 lands, sphagnum swamps and the margins of 

 ponds, where its dwarfed and picturesque 

 luirrow forms with gracefully curved branches 

 and bluish green foliage are pleasing and 

 characteristic features. It is found even 

 growing to great aga in the floating bogs about 

 the shores of small lakes in northern Minne- 

 sota and producing cones in abundance, even 

 though no more than 2 or 3 ft. in height. 



The wood of the Black Spruce is light, a cu. 



ft. weighing 32. SG lbs., soft and useful for 



pa])er pulp and lumber when of sullicient siz:^.2 



Considerable spruce gum is aho derived from 



this tree. 



Leaves usually M-% in. long, crowded and more 

 or loss curved, stiff and with sharp callous tii)s. 

 hluc-ffrcon with n\uiiorous stoma; a above and 

 fcwiT Ix'noatli : liranchlois iiuhoscciit. Flowers: 

 sinminnic iil)l(iii.<r witli rrddisli anthers: pistillate 

 otilotT,' will] tliin rcllcxi'd scales and rounded erose 

 hracts. Fruit: cones ovnto. porsistin',' often 2 or 

 more sonsons. strongly roflexod noon the Itranch- 

 lots, %-lV2 in. long, narrowing to a strongly in- 

 curved stalk, with scales rounded and more or 

 less erose-dentate at noex : seeds about '/s in. 

 leng with ample pale brown wing widest above the 

 middle. 



1. Syn. P. hrcvifolia Peek. 



29 



