Handbook of Trees of 'riiF Xoktiikkx States and ("anada. 



The Arbor- Vitse is a tree commonly from 

 50-00 ft. in lu'i"ht and 2-:) ft. in di.inicttT of 



41 



trunk, or sometinies larj^cr, and dexelops a 

 wide-based pyramidal lu-ad wlu-n growing 

 apart from otlier trees. ll soin<'tinii's forms 

 exclusive and dense forests in swampy locali- 

 ties and along the banks of streams, but is 

 oftener in company with the Black Ash, Swamp 

 Spruce, Canoe Birch, Red and Silver Maples, 

 Tamarack, Balsam Fir, etc. It is abundant 

 and of quite general distribution in sudiciently 

 moist localities throughout the northern jjart 

 of its range, but in the southern Alleghenies 

 occurs only at high altitudes. 



The fragrant light wood of the Arl)or-Vitie, 

 of wiiich a cubic foot when absolutely dry 

 weighs 19.72 lbs., is highly valued in the con- 

 struction of light boats, canoes, etc., and is 

 one of the best woods within its realm for 

 shingles, and from the slim forest-grown trunks 

 of this tree more than any other come the fence 

 posts and telegraph poles of the northeastern 

 states and Canada. It is often jjlanted for 

 ornamental purposes and several nursery 

 forms are found. Medicinal properties are 

 ascribed to its leaves.i 



Leaves of the ultimate branchlets scale-like, ap- 

 pressed. about Vs in. long apiculate and glandular, 

 the 2 lateral rows .strongly keeled and the other 

 two rows flat, forming a very flat branehlet. 

 Floicers in April and May, inconspicuous ; stami- 

 nate yellow ; pistillate purplish green. Cones ma- 

 ture in early autumn, %-% in. long; seeds about 

 % in. long with wings about as broad as the body.= 



1. A. W., I, 24. 



2. Eor genus see p. 421. 



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