THE SCOTCH PINE 



We might think because of the name that this pine came from Scot- 

 land, and that Scotland was its home, while in fact it is found all over 

 Europe. This tree resembles in general appearance our white pine, 

 but upon closer examination we find that the needles are only two in 

 a sheath, are coarse and of a bluish tint, also somewhat shorter than 

 the white pine needles. The cones are very much shorter, and re- 

 semble those of the scrub pine, for which it is sometimes mistaken. 



We have adopted this European tree because it is very hardy and 

 can stand variations of climatic conditions. It is also a rapid-growing 

 tree, and since it is not particular as to soil and moisture, it can be 

 used almost anywhere both for windbreaks and for ornamentation. 



THE PITCH PINE 



To this pine the name of pitch pine was given because it has always 

 a large amount of resin upon its buds and branches making them very 

 pitchy. Another peculiar thing about the tree is that it has many short 

 branches on the ends of which the needles, three in a sheath and from 

 three to fine inches long, are arranged in groups, having the appearance 

 of needles growing on the large branches. 



The cones, from one to three inches long, and comparatively broad, 

 are often found in clusters, and their sharp spined scales distinguish 

 this pine from the Jack pine and the Scrub pine as well as from the 

 Scotch pine. These cones stay on the trees, as do also the cones of its 

 brothers, the Jack pine and the Scrub pine, for ten or twelve years, 

 even after the seeds have long escaped. 



There is not much symmetry or beauty about the tree. It is, how- 

 ever, planted or left standing for the protection of the soil, or for 

 windbreaks. Another reason for allowing it to stand or for planting it 

 is that it occupies ground of a sandy and sterile nature on which 

 hardly any other plant will grow. 



Fire may sweep through the forest of pitch pine and destroy the 

 old trees, and yet a new crop will spring up, because many of the cones 

 retain their seeds for a number of years, and open them only by going 

 through extreme heat or on account of old age. The heat of the fire 

 opens the cones and sets free the seeds, which then fall on fertile soil 

 that has been enriched by the ashes from the old trees. 



