742 



AMERICAN FORESTRY 



occur in every country in the northern hemisphere. Eight of them are na- 

 tive to North America, three being found in the eastern part and five in the 

 western part of the country. The three eastern species are : 



1. White Spruce, 



2. Black Spruce, 



3. Red Spruce. 



All three of them are at home in the Northwoods, where they have a 

 very wide distribution, one of them extending from the Atlantic Coast clear 

 across the continent. Our native Spruces have so many characteristics in 

 common with one another that it is not necessary to point out the fine lines 



of distinction 

 that exists be- 

 tween them, 

 for the average 

 house holder 

 who desires to 

 know the name 

 ji the Christ- 

 mas tree that 

 adorns the 

 home, will be 

 satisfied to 

 know that the 

 tree is a 

 Spruce, or 

 some other 

 kind of tree. 

 One may read- 

 ily recognize 

 the spruce 

 trees by their 

 needles, which 

 are not flat 

 like the Bal- 

 sam Fir, but 

 4-sided. The 

 needles are at- 

 tached to the 

 trees by means 

 of tiny brown 

 stalks, which 

 are entirely ab- 

 sent in the Bal- 

 sam Fix. This 

 difference be- 

 t w e e n the 

 Spruces and 

 the Firs is the 

 reason why the needles of the Spruce fall off from the twigs so much sooner 

 than do the needles of the Fir. It follows that in selecting a Christmas 

 tree it is recommended to procure a Fir whenever possible, for they have 

 a beautiful foliage and the leaves will remain on the trees much longer 

 than those of most other evergreen trees. 



Our forests have been depleted of Christmas trees to such an extent that 



it is now imperative to take measures to insure a future supply. The first 



step that is necessary is the proper protection of our forests from forest fires. 



The planting of evergreen trees for Christmas purposes is now an estab- 



Courtesy Amawatk Xuiseries 



NORWAY SPRUCE 



Beautifully symmetrical, this species is a great favorite foi 

 as a Christmas tree. 



Courtesy Amawalk Nurseries 

 HEMLOCK 



Popular as a Christmas tree in some sec- 

 tions, the chief objection to it is 

 that it does not live long after 

 it is cut ; dropping quickly. 



IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS 

 OF NORWAY SPRUCE 



The Norway Spruce is being planted ex- 

 tensively for Christmas trees. Its cones 

 are about 5 inches long, its leaves 

 are short and 4-sided. 



