THE GRAY PINE OR JACK PINE 



IN idea of the general appearance of this Pine as it grows toward the southern 

 /-\ limit of its range may be obtained from the tree pictured on the plate. The 

 -*- -V- bizarre scragginess so noticeable in isolated pines of other species seems here 

 carried to an extreme and the tree has consequently a picturesque effect that seems well 

 suited to the banks of northern lakes and rivers. For this is the most boreal of our native 

 vines extending far toward the Arctic Circle and finding its southern limit in the northern 

 Xew England states, Michigan, and Minnesota, though touching the northern counties 

 >f Illinois. A notable development of it occurs in the Jack Pine barrens of Michigan, but 

 it is much farther north that it reaches its best estate. In the great region north of Lake 

 Superior extending far up to the valleys of the Mackenzie and Athabasca Rivers it is an 

 important timber tree reaching a height of seventy feet and yielding fuel and lumber 

 where these are invaluable . In the more southern parts of its range it commonly occurs as 

 a scrubby growth that is often of value as a nurse-crop for the other sorts of pines. 



The distinguishing characters of the Gray Pine may be seen in the plate. The 

 pairs of short, broad leaves of a gray-green color are thickly clustered on short branches. 

 The pollen-bearing flowers encircle the twigs at the base of the new season's growth, while 

 the stemless cones are pointed and conical or oblong, and generally more or less curved; 

 they are held erect on the branch, and are seldom more than two inches long. As in the 

 case of the Pitch Pine these cones remain upon the branches for years after the seeds have 

 been scattered from them, and their presence adds to the characteristic appearance of 

 the trees. 



The Jack Pine is recommended by the Forest service for planting in regions 

 where better trees cannot be grown. It serves well in the Dakotas and the sandy 

 regions of the North Central states for wind-breaks and shelter belts. It is very hardy 

 and thrifty under adverse conditions of soil and moisture. 



An interesting division of the native pines is made by Professor Sargent in his 

 "Manual of the Trees of North America:" twelve species are classified as Soft Pines, and 

 the other twenty- two species as Pitch Pines. The characteristics of the Soft Pines are 

 given in these words: "Wood soft, close-grained, light colored, the sapwood thin and 

 nearly white ; sheaths of the leaf-clusters deciduous ; leaves with one fibro- vascular bundle." 

 The White Pine is a typical example of this group. The characteristics of the Pitch Pines 

 are given in these words: ' Wood usually heavy, coarse-grained, generally dark colored, 

 with pale often thick sapwood ; cones green at maturity, becoming various shades of brown ; 

 cone-scales more or less thickened, mostly armed; seeds shorter than their wings; leaves 

 with two fibro-vascular bundles." The Pitch Pine is a typical example of this group. 



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