TREES OF NORTH CAROLINA 23 



7. Pinus palustris Mill. Long-leaf Pine. 



This well known and very valuable timber and 

 turpentine pine has been in great measure destroyed 

 in our state. Leaves in threes, ten to fifteen inches 

 long; cones very large, six to nine inches long, ap- 

 pearing in abundance only at intervals of several 

 years. It is confined to the coastal plain and adja- 

 cent areas as far west as Gary in Wake, and Troy in 

 Montgomery Counties. The young trees stand fire 

 well, and with slight protection would soon recover 

 a large part of their original habitat. The Loblolly 

 Pine (Pinus Taeda) is now largely taking its place. 



8. Pinus Strobus L. White Pine. 



Needles delicate bluish-green, borne in groups of 

 five or rarely more ; branches smooth, cones long and 

 slender, with thin scales. This beautiful and valu- 

 able pine is found principally in the mountains, but 

 occurs as far east as Davie County. In addition to 

 its great importance as a timber pine, it is much 

 used as an ornamental tree in cultivation. 



9. Picea mariana (Mill.) B S P. Black Spruce. 



This is a fine, large tree of the mountains, making 

 up a large part of the Balsam groves of Grandfather, 

 Mitchell, Clingman, the Black Mountains, etc., and 

 often called "He Balsam." It is usually mixed with 

 the true Balsam or Eraser's Fir, from which it can 

 be easily distinguished by its squarish leaves extend- 

 ing in all directions around the twigs, and by the 



