SILVICULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS 35 



this country are few. Aside from the damage by the larch saw- 

 fly, to which it is subject with the tamarack, the larch appears 

 to be very free from enemies. 



Larch is a rapid grower, exceeding white pine in height growth 

 but not in diameter growth. This quality combined with the 

 durability of the wood in the soil makes it an excellent tree to 

 plant for the raising of posts, ties, poles, etc. 



ARBORVIT^: OR NORTHERN WHITE CEDAR (Thuja occidentalis) . 



This is a northern species common throughout eastern Canada 

 and as far west as Minnesota and extending south in the Appa- 

 lachians to northern Georgia. It is confined to the northern 

 portions and seldom is found in Connecticut. It usually grows 

 in wet areas forming dense thickets known as cedar swamps, but 

 also frequents hillside pastures in Vermont. It is intolerant of 

 shade as is shown by the characteristic death of the lower limbs 

 when grown close together. 



Cedar produces an abundant crop of seed almost every year. 

 It prefers for a germinating bed bare mineral soil or old pasture. 

 As the tree advances in age it is apt to be affected by a fungus 

 which causes the red rot of the heartwood, and renders it useless. 



The cedar is very slow growing, although in swamps it grows 

 as well or better than other conifers. As the wood is very dur- 

 able in the soil it may be encouraged in wet situations for the 

 production of posts and poles. 



JUNIPER OR RED CEDAR (Junipirus mrginiana). 



This is one of the mostly widely distributed conifers, being well 

 scattered over the United States from New England to North 

 Dakota and Texas. In New England its range is restricted to 

 the southern portion. It is characteristic of abandoned pastures 

 in Connecticut and parts of Massachusetts where it is easily 

 recognized by its picturesque conical form similar to the cypress 

 of the Mediterranean. It is very intolerant and slow growing, 

 often being killed out by faster growing and more tolerant trees. 



