126 TIMBER TREES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 



rather long close sheaths. The cones are ovate-oblong and 3 to 4 

 inches long ; the scales terminate in short rigid spines. This 

 species has a tap-root and many strong deeply penetrating lateral 

 roots. 



The wood is light, not strong, brittle, very coarse-grained and 

 not durable ; light brown in color, the very thick sapwood orange 

 or often nearly w T hite. It is used for lumber and fuel. Turpentine 

 is sometimes obtained from this tree. 



Firms rigida. Miller. 



(PITCH PINE. BLACK PINE.) 



A tree, with an oblong crown, spreading branches, a cylindri- 

 cal, and often crooked stem, and rather flaky dark reddish-brown 

 bark, reaching a height of 80 and a diameter of 3 feet. 



It occurs from New Brunswick to the northern shores of Lake 

 Ontario, south through the Atlantic states to northern Georgia, 

 and westward to West Virginia and Kentucky. A very common 

 tree. 



In this State, where it reaches an average height of 50 to 70 

 feet and an average .diameter of 18 to 24 inches, it is found in the 

 western part of the Piedmont plateau region and in the moun- 

 tain counties south of the French Broad river. (Fig. 31, p. 120.) 

 It grows on dry, often sandy or gravelly ridges, mixed with the 

 short-leaf and scrub pines. 



It produces seed often and in abundance, and the seedlings, 

 which require a good deal of light, are common in dry open situ- 

 ations, and in old fields. Young trees sprout from the stump to 

 some extent, but the sprouts are phort-lived. The resistance of 

 the pitch pine to fire is exceptionally great. 



The rigid flattened leaves are usually in threes, from short 

 sheaths, and 3 to 5 inches long. The cones are ovate and from 2 

 to nearly 4 inches long, the scales armed with a short recurved 

 spine. 



The wood is light, soft, not strong, brittle, and coarse-grained ; 

 light brown or red in color; the thick sapwood yellow or often 



