78 HAND-BOOK OF TREE-PLANTING. 



for the white pine. For joists and roof-beams 

 it is preferred, as also for the lighter spars of 

 vessels, because it is stiffen For boards also the 

 spruces are extensively used in place of pine. 

 The Norway spruce is completely naturalized in 

 our country, and deserves consideration by the 

 tree-planter. It is one of our largest and finest 

 trees, and second only to the hemlock in beauty 

 and for ornamental purposes. When allowed 

 sufficient space it spreads its branches widely 

 and in a downward direction, so that after a few 

 years they rest upon the ground, and the tree 

 rises thence, as almost a solid cone, to a height 

 of seventy feet or more, forming at all seasons 

 of the year a delightful object. This spruce 

 will be found among the best trees for making 

 shelter-belts on the exposed prairies and along 

 the sea-coasts, and wherever there is occasion 

 to form screens to protect from troublesome 

 winds. 



In speaking of planting by the sea-coast, 

 however, it ought to be borne in mind that 

 many trees will not bear the exposure to winds 

 which are not only severe in themselves but are 

 also laden with salt-spray. It is thought that 



