144 2 The Trees of Great Britain and Ireland 



In some parts of Germany the tree grows very well, but does not seem to have 

 any economic value, and in Dr. Mayr's opinion is only likely to be useful in the 

 south of Europe. 



Timber 



The timber of the common and of the southern species present no essential 

 difference and are not distinguished in commerce, though at the present time the 

 greater part of that imported to Europe comes from the Southern States, that from 

 Florida produced by J. barbadensis being considered the best. 



Its great resistance to decay makes it very valuable, and formerly, when com- 

 moner, it was largely used in America for fencing, telegraph poles, boat- and house- 

 building. Now, however, trees large enough for such purposes can hardly be found 

 in the north, and the principal use for which it serves is to make the casing of lead- 

 pencils. Mohr states that for this purpose alone 500,000 cubic feet are annually used 

 in the United States, and 75,000 more exported, most of this going to Germany. 



At Greenville, Alabama, the logs are cut into pieces of five standard sizes, 

 varying from f to 2\ in. thick, which are packed for shipment in square wooden 

 cases. The waste and sawdust from the mills is made into fine shavings, used for 

 protecting furs and woollen goods against moths, and into paper for underlaying 

 carpets. 



Cigar-boxes are also made from this wood in Germany ; but most of the 

 so-called cedar in which Havana cigars are packed is the wood of Cedrela odorata, a 

 very different tree of the West Indies. 



Though in former times the wood was commonly used in this country for the 

 finer kinds of joiner's work and interior decoration, under the name of cedar, red 

 cedar, or pencil cedar, yet it has, during the last generation, become so scarce 

 and dear, that its use is almost confined to the making of pencils. The greater 

 part of the logs imported at present are from Jamaica, Alabama, and Georgia ; 

 and are usually small and faulty. The few large and clean ones which arrive are 

 worth from 6s. to 8s. per cubic foot, whilst small logs and billets are sold at 2s. to 

 6s. per cubic foot in London. 



The heart-wood is of a pinkish brown, becoming darker with age, and fading on 

 exposure to the sun, and the sap-wood is whitish. It is distinguished by its 

 fragrance, which, however, is fainter than that of Lebanon cedar, Lawson cypress, 

 or camphor wood ; and not too strong to use for the panelling or ceilings of living 

 rooms. No wood is better adapted for delicate mouldings or carvings, though it is 

 too soft to be used in any positions exposed to friction or contact with furniture. 

 In some cases the heart- wood of old trees is beautifully variegated and twisted, 

 and such pieces would be of the highest value for cabinetmaking, if procurable ; but 

 I have hardly ever seen the waved or curly grain, which is so ornamental in some 

 other conifers, as pitch pine, redwood, or American cypress. 



One of the best examples of the use of this wood for ornamental work is in the 



1 Fremdldnd, IVald- u. Parkbaume, 292 (1906). Cf. Schwappach, in Zcitschr. Forst- u. Jagdwesen, xliii. 602 (1911), 

 and in Mitt. Dettt. Dend. Ces. 1911, p. II. 



