RED SPRUCE (Picearubens,Sa,Tg.). 70 to 100 feet. Pyra- 

 midal or conical tree, with long-persistent lower branches. 

 Bark thin, scaly, reddish brown; branches scaly; twigs stout, 

 downy, and green, becoming smooth and bright red the second 

 year. Wood light, soft, close-grained, pale red, used for 

 lumber and paper pulp. Leaves dark, yellow-green, shining, 

 4-sided, curved, sharp, less than an inch long, in spiral line, 

 or horny projections of twig. Flowers staminate spikes oval, 

 solitary, lateral, scarlet; pistillate oblong cones, purplish, with 

 rounded, reflexed scales, separated by fringed or notched 

 bracts. Fruits oblong-ovate, 1 to 2 inches long, purplish to 

 brownish red, pendant, on stalks, opening in fall, and shed 

 with the winged seeds. Dist.: New England and following 

 the mountains to North Carolina. 



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