406 TREES AND SHRUBS OF MASSACHUSETTS 



Lifit of the native trees of Massachusetts, icitli riotes upon certain natural- 

 ized species.^ 



L— CONIFERS : The Pine Family. 



SECTION 1.— The Pine and Fm Tribe. 



Pinus strohiis (White Pine). Sometimes growing 130 or 140 feet high in 

 the western part of the State and 100 feet to first limbs. They 

 were formerly found larger, and fifty [now seventy] years ago sev- 

 eral trees on rather dry land in Blandford measured, when felled, 

 more than 220 feet. This tree is of rapid growth. In 1809 or 1810, 

 a belt of pines and other trees were planted on two sides of the 

 Botanic Garden in Cambridge, to protect it from the northwest 

 winds. In 1841 and 1842, 10 measured 20 inches in diameter at the 

 ground, showing nearly two-thirds of an inch annual growth in 31 

 years. The largest were 4 feet 8 inches around at 3 feet from the 

 ground. They measured in 1874 6 feet 8 inches. 



Fimis rigida (Pitch Pine). Commonly 40 to 50 feet high and 1 and 2 

 feet in diameter. Around Plymouth it grows larger; some 70 

 feet high, and one measured 5 feet 7 inches around at 3 feet from 

 the ground. One measured 6 feet 7 inches. On the hills, in the 

 southwest part "of the State, they grow to 100 feet, and they have 

 been seen in Massachusetts and Maine 4 to 5 feet in diameter. 

 This tree grows more rapidly during the first 16 to 25 years ; after 

 which the circles of growth are narrower, there being rarely less 

 than 10 and often 12 or 13 to an Inch. When self-planted on the 

 poorest of sandy land, it grows at the rate of an inch of diameter 

 in 3 or 4 years in the first 25 years. This tree is somewhat difiicult 

 to transplant, but a person who had been very successful in this, 

 recommended that the transplanting should be done when the new 

 growth was about half an inch in length. The growth is most 

 rapid after the third year and the best age for transplanting is 2 or 

 3 years. This tree has a greiat advantage in being able to endure 

 salt water, and it is therefore desirable for sea-side planting. It is 

 also useful as a nurse for tender deciduous trees. 



Finns resinosa (Red or Norway Pine). Not abundant, but in little de- 

 tached clumps in various parts of the State. It grows as rapidly 

 as the pitch-pine, and usually to greater height. 



Abies Canadensis (Hemlock). Found in almost every part of the State, 

 and in all varieties of soil. Very hardy, and highly suitable lor 

 hedges. It is at first of slow growth and very delicate, requiring 

 shelter, but when once started, it grows with great rapidity. 



Abies nigra (Black or Double Spruce). Hardy. Earely grows to a large 

 size. 



Abies alba (White or Single Spruce). Rarely over 40 or 50 feet. Con- 

 siderably rapid of growth, and its timber, like that of the preceding 

 species, light, strong, elastic, and durable. 



Picea balsamifera (Balsam Fir). The wood of this tree is defij^ient in hard- 

 ness, strength, and elasticity, and the tree does not often attain a 

 large size. It is hardy, easily transplanted, and grows with great 

 vigor, but is short lived. It stands well against the wind, except 

 from the sea. Of several planted in Cambridge in 1809 or 1810, the 



1 This list is derived almost wholly from the valuable report of Mr. Emerson, to which 

 refereDce may be had for uumeroucs impoi'taut details, and full descriptions. In cases 

 where other information is introduced, credit is given to the authorities from whence 

 derived. 



