Soil. Rather exacting as to moisture. Rich bottoms to poor 

 slopes. 



Association. It is grouped in nature. The associated species are 

 white spruce, hemlock, balsam, black spruce, beech, yellow birch, and 

 sugar maple. 



General. Of great commercial importance. On Canadian Atlan- 

 tic sea-board it is the chief lumber tree. 



PICEA CANADENSIS, (Mill.) B.S.P. 

 White Spruce. 



Size. Maximum 100 to 150 ft. by 3 to 4 ft.; rarely over 60 to 80 

 feet east of the Rockies. 



Growth. Medium but persistent. 30 trees in the Riding Moun- 

 tains, Manitoba, on poor soils grew 6 inches in 49 years, and 12 inches 

 in 88 years; 46 trees on good soil grew 6 inches in 47 years and 12 inches 

 in 79 years. Life is 250 to 350 years. 



Root System. Shallow, tracing, easily transplanted. 



Bole. Straight, smooth, medium taper, clear one-half to two-thirds. 



Crown. Broad-based open pyramids; long stout branches sweeping 

 out in graceful curves. 



Tolerance. Very shade enduring; dead limbs persist. 



Wood. Light, soft, not strong; valuable for construction; 25 pounds 



Reproduction. Moderately prolific seeder with full seed years, 

 about 8 years apart in New England. Flowers in April and May, and 

 the cones mature and shed seed in September. Seed is small, light 

 winged; moderate germination percent but persistent vitality. Prefers 

 fresh humus or mineral soil. Reproduces in its own shade, but poorly 

 on hardwood litter. Seedlings are very tolerant, more so than most of 

 its associates. 



Range. Labrador timber line to Bering Strait; Rocky Mountains 

 to northern fringe of United States. Very wide range of soil and climate. 



Soil. Shores of streams and lakes, and rocky slopes of low hills. 

 Thrives on light sands, requiring better soils in the north (finely divided 

 but porous soils). Mesophytic. 



Association. Aspen, paper birch, balsam, etc. Forms compact 

 groves. 



General. Commercial importance is i;n-.ti. Spruces lead in the 

 Canadian lumber cut, and white spruce is the chief of the spruces. 



18 



