HABITS AND GROWTH. 



Few trees can endure such variable moisture conditions, but despite 

 the ability to live on either wet or dry soils, the form of growth is 

 greatly influenced by the site. By far the better trees are found on 

 the rich, light soils of the upland, though they occur in greater 

 abundance on wetter, stiffer soils, where competition with the spruces 

 and other species is not so keen. In swamps where standing water 

 covers the roots and excludes the air from them, the tree little more 

 than maintains its existence. The tamarack will not endure drought, 

 however, and the soil best adapted to it is rich, moist, alluvial loam, 

 such as occurs along the banks of streams and on the borders of lakes 

 and marshes. 



The tamarack is very intolerant, and to maintain itself must out- 

 strip its competitors in height growth. In plantations, when mixed 

 with other trees, it should always form the upper story. 



In the Northeastern States the rate of growth of this species is 

 more rapid than near the southern limits of its range. Under favor- 

 able conditions the tamarack will grow to a height of 45 feet in thirty 

 years, and at forty-five years after planting should be about 60 feet 

 in height with a diameter of at least 18 inches. 



In addition to more rapid height growth the tamarack has a slight 

 advantage over coniferous associates in that its foliage is deciduous. 

 The returning of the leaves to the ground each year tends to improve 

 the site. 



About twenty-five years ago much of the mature tamarack of the 

 Northeast was killed by the larvae of a saw fly. The ravages then 

 ceased and a large quantity of second growth replaced the original 

 stands. In 1901, however, this sawfly reappeared and did serious in- 

 jury to the young trees of .the Adirondacks. Tamarack is often at- 

 tacked, in very wet situations, by a fungus which so honeycombs the 

 wood that the tree blows down. 



ECONOMIC USES. 



The wood resembles red pine, but is somewhat stronger and stiffer. 

 It is fairly hard, resinous, rather coarse-grained, and durable in con- 

 tact with the soil. It is used in shipbuilding and for fence posts, ties, 

 telegraph and telephone poles, and in the manufacture of canoes. 

 The tall, slender boles of the mature trees make excellent spars and 

 masts, and have been extensively used for that purpose. 



Lumbermen recognize two varieties of tamarack, the red and the 

 white, the distinction being based on the color of the heartwood. 

 The red-hearted trees have less sapwood and are produced on colder, 

 less favorable soils than the white tamarack. 



[Cir. 89] 



