OUR NATIVE TREES. 51 



observer would probably mistake it for an elm, unless he noticed 

 the stone-like fruit upon it in autumn and winter. It is, however, 

 a round-headed tree, completely filled with small, fastigiate 

 branches. Body and limbs are thickly studded with corky knots. 

 It is a singular tree, worthy of special notice. Massachusetts is 

 probably its northern limit. There is a fine tree of this species 

 near the canal in Lowell, which, with a few smaller ones near b}', 

 is the only one that I have seen. 



I must pause here in my notice of our native deciduous trees ; 

 having reserved time for but brief reference to our native ever- 

 greens. In the central parts of New England we have three 

 species of native Pines, all worth}- of cultivation for use and orna- 

 ment. The White pine, Pinus strobus, is a handsome and useful 

 tree in all stages of its growth. Wherever the seeds are planted, 

 by nature or the hand of man, the young saplings will quickly 

 cover with a protective garment of cheerful green even bleak hill- 

 tops, sand wastes, or neglected gravel-pits. For a complete, 

 quick growing windbreak, no tree equals it. Developed singly, or 

 judiciously grouped with other species, this tree produces fine 

 landscape effects. 



The Pitch pine, Pinus rigida, has a stiffness and often scraggi- 

 ness in its aspect in open ground, which makes it undesirable as 

 an ornamental tree. But its usefulness in redeeming sand wastes 

 and its fair proportions in good ground should secure it from neg- 

 lect b}' the tree culturist. 



The Red pine, Pimis resinosa, is a tree of pleasing effects. It 

 reminds one of a pitch pine, but is in every prominent aspect a 

 far handsomer ti'ee. It grows erect, tall, rather slender, with its 

 branches in distinct whorls, curving slightly upwards towards the 

 ends. A marked beauty of the tree is seen in its long leaves, 

 which grow in twos, and are grouped in distinct " brushes." It is 

 of quite rapid growth, and considering its fine qualities should be 

 highlj- esteemed as an ornamental evergreen. I have met with 

 fine natural clumps of this species in the northern part of Middle- 

 sex count}', Mass. 



The three species of Spruce native in Massachusetts are found 

 in most districts of New England. The Black spruce, Abies 

 7ugra, is a hardy tree, common in the cooler hill regions. It has 

 a close thick-leaved head of symmetrical conical shape. The dark 

 green hue of its foliage gives it a sombre effect when viewed by 



