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THE CORNELL READING-COURSES 



rings. Size by itself is not a sure sign of ripeness. When in doubt it is best 

 to keep the tree ; the rise in the value of timber will warrant doing this. 



Desirable trees for New York State 



The species of trees to be planted or favored in the cutting will 

 depend on what kind of product is desired and on the conditions under 

 which the tree is to be grown, especially the climate, soil, and amount of 



shade the tree will 

 have to endure. The 

 following list is by no 

 means complete, and 

 is intended only to 

 suggest some of the 

 best trees for general 

 use in this State and 

 to point out some 

 troubles with certain 

 of our trees : 



Among the ever- 

 greens, white pine 

 and Norway spruce 

 are the best trees for 

 general use under 

 most conditions in 

 New York. Both of 

 these will endure the 

 climate in any part of 

 the State. White pine 

 grows slowly for the 

 first few years, but 

 after that it grows 

 well. It is not suit- 

 able for very dry sand 

 or gravel, or for heavy, wet land, but is at home on all other soils. It 

 grows well on sandy soils if they are not unusually dry. Although it 

 will endure shade at first, it will not grow well under other trees after 

 the first few years. 



Norway spruce will do well on any moist soil, provided the soil is fairly 

 well drained; it should not be planted on dry soil. Starting very slowly, 

 its growth after the first few years is good. It will endure heavy shade 

 and is therefore a good tree to use in planting land already partly 

 wooded. It is able to grow on very shallow soil if such soil is moist. 



FIG. 220. A stand of Norway spruce. Some of the lower 

 dead branches could be easily knocked off 



