THE NORWAY SPRUCE. 859 



spruce. These three species, together \vith hornljeam, are the 

 principal shade bearing timber species of temperate Europe. 

 Spruce demands moist air to do well ; hence, in tlie centre 

 of its natural home, it prefers north-easterly aspects. It is 

 the least storm firm species of the trees mentioned in this 

 book. 



Soil. — Spruce is satisfied with a shallow soil of middling 

 porosity, which must be at least fresh, and may be moist, or 

 even wet, provided it is not actually swampy and acid. It 

 does not stand inundation, and absolutely avoids dry soils. 

 It is moderately exacting as regards the chemical composition 

 of the soil, and reaches its greatest perfection on loams and 

 shales. 



(1. Shijie and Developmeni. 



Spruce develops a straight, undivided stem, with thin 

 branches, which become somewhat drooping with advancing 

 age. The crown retains a conical shape throughout life ; in 

 crowded woods it is restricted to the upper third of the stem. 

 Spruce has a shallow root system. 



Spruce grows at first rather slowly, but faster than silver 

 fir ; when 10 to 15 years old its height growth becomes rapid, 

 and it ultimately reaches the greatest height of the indigenous 

 trees of temperate Europe, up to 150 feet, with a diameter up 

 to 5 feet. 



In volume growth it is only surpassed by silver fir and 

 Douglas fir. 



Its maximum age may be placed at 300 years, 



e. Repntductitu' Paicor. 



Spruce begins l)earing full crops of seed after the age of 

 50 3'ears ; they are heavy, and, under favourable conditions, 

 occur about every 3 to 5 years. On the whole, reproduction 

 by seed is favourable, more so than that of the other shade 

 bearing species. There is no reproduction from the stool. 



