Tolerance. Very shade enduring; does not clean well. 



Wood. Light, soft, not strong; like red spruce; 28 pounds. 



Reproduction. Cones mature by the first of September and shed 

 the seeds within a few weeks. Seeds small and winged; germination 

 percent medium; vitality great. Germinates best on moist humus and 

 mineral soils; can grow on moss, etc. Seedlings require shade for the 

 first two years. 



Range. Labrador to Alaska, northern Alberta, Manitoba and 

 Saskatchewan to Wisconsin and Michigan to the northeastern states; 

 north to the tree limit. 



Soil. Well drained bottom lands and stony barrens in the north. 

 Commonly a tree of swamps and muskegs in its median and southern 

 range. 



Association. Large pure stands often sparse and straggly, with 

 tamarack, hemlock, balsam, and hardwoods. 



General. Its commercial importance is small on account of its 

 small size. 



PICEA RUBENS, Sarg. 



PICEA RUBRA, Link. 

 Red Spruce. 



Size. 40 to 75 ft. by 12 to 18 in. Occasionally over 100 ft. by 3 ft. 



Growth. Rate medium but persistent. 79 trees in Nova Scotia 

 grew 6 inches in 87 years, and 12 inches in 130 years; another study of 50 

 trees showed growths of 6 inches in 67 years, and 12 inches in 117 years. 

 Life 200 years. 



Root System. Tracing. 



Bole. Medium taper. 



Crown. Non-spreading. 



Tolerance. Tree is tolerant and does not clean well. 



Wood. Soft, not strong; 32 pounds. 



Reproduction A little seed is produced every year, but heavy 

 seed years occur at irregular intervals varying, with the locality, from 

 3 to 10 years. The cones ripen and begin to discharge seed at the end of 

 September, and continue to shed seed throughout the winter. One 

 bushel of green cones yields 1 7/8 pounds of seed; one pound of seed 

 contains 120,000 grains. The germination percent is moderate; vitality 

 is medium. Prefers fresh mineral soil but will germinate on humus or 

 moss. 



Range. Limited; Maritime Provinces of Canada; south from the 

 St. Lawrence down the Appalachians to North Carolina. Optimum in 

 Maine. Sea-level to 2000 feet. 



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