424 SYLVICULTURAL NOTES ON TIMBER TREES 



THUYA. 



Thuya gigantea =The Giant Arborvitse, or the Red 



"Cedar" of British Columbia. 

 Thuya occidentalis = The American, or Common Arborvitae. 



Only the Thuya gigantea will be considered, as the T. 

 occidentalis is of little sylvicultural importance in this 

 country. 



The Thuya gigantea is a native tree to British Columbia, 

 and grows most luxuriantly near the damp Pacific Coast. It 

 is said to have been introduced in 1854. 



As to Seed. It bears abundant crops of seed from about 

 the 3Oth year onwards. Home-grown seed is likely to prove 

 satisfactory in all respects. Imported seed from European 

 continental countries is likely, in time to come, to cause some 

 disappointment, and may with advantage be avoided. 



All seed should be obtained from near the sea coast of 

 British Columbia. 



One pound of seed contains about 341,000 seeds, and the 

 germinative capacity is about 60 to 65 per cent. 



The timber is soft and very resinous, brownish in colour, 

 and splits well. It is a very durable timber, and, for outdoor 

 fencing, gate posts, etc., is invaluable. In its native country, 

 huge quantities of the timber are split or sawn into 

 " shingles," which take the place of roofing tiles or slates. It 

 is largely used for weather boarding. It is not much used 

 for interior house work, except for " match lining." 



The value of its timber on the British market has yet to 

 be proved ; but it should be worth about 6d. to pd. a cubic 

 foot, according to the current level of prices. 



Soil and Situation. A moist, porous soil is most suitable 

 for its growth. It will succeed on almost any soils, except 

 very dry or water-logged soils. It grows fairly well on stiff 

 clay soils, or on thin clays resting on disintegrated limestone 

 rock, though in such localities its development is not rapid. 

 It is a storm-proof tree, and fairly hardy as regards spring 

 and autumn frosts. It is apt to be much injured by a hot 



