136 TIMBER TREES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 



The Carolina hemlock bears seed frequently, but usually not in 

 abundance. Seedlings are common in dense woods. 



The leaves are longer and more scattered than those of the 

 common hemlock, to which the tree bears a general resemblance. 

 The cones are larger, drooping, and with spreading scales. 



The coarse-grained brittle wood is light and soft ; light brown 

 tinged with red ; the sapwood nearly white. 



Abies fraseri, Lindley. 



(BALSAM.) 



A tree, with conical crown, numerous spreading branches, and 

 light gray rather smooth bark, reaching a height of 80 and a 

 diameter of 2 feet. 



It occurs on moist slopes at an elevation of 5,000 to 6,500 feet, 

 upon the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee, often form- 

 ing considerable forests.^ 



In this State, where it reaches an average height of less than 

 40 feet and an average diameter of 12 to 15 inches, it is common 

 on the highest summits of the mountain region, but it does 

 not occur below 4,000 feet. It usually forms pure forest, but 

 is found mixed with the black spruce, and to a less extent with 

 beech and the birches. 



It bears seed at rather long intervals, but seedlings are com- 

 mon under the shade of the old trees. The growth in youth is 

 rapid. 



The leaves are somewhat two ranked, linear, flattened and 

 obtuse, and remain on the trees for several years. The cones are 

 1 to 2 inches long. 



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

 brown in color ; the sapwood nearly white. It is little used. A 

 thin, clear liquid called turpentine or balsam, derived from blisters 

 on the bark, is used for cuts and sores. 



Sabal palmetto, Loddiges. 



(PALMETTO.) 

 An endogenous tree, destitute of branches, with a small oval or 



