472 FOREST RESOURCES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 



7. Long-Leaf Pine (Phtus analralis). Often called the "Yellow Pine," and fonnd from 



.Southeastern Virj^inia southward to Florida, and westward across the Gulf States. 

 Heif^ht, GO to 70 feet ; diameter, 15 to 20 inches. The wood contains but little sap, 

 and the resinous matter is distributed very uniformly through it, rendering the 

 timber durable, compact, and strong. In richer soil it is less resinous, and it is 

 sometimes of a reddish hue, and hence is called "Red Pine," and is deemed better 

 than other varieties. A tree with a small top is said to indicate the best heart- 

 wood. It is the principal source of the turpentine of the Southern States. Tar 

 is made by burning the dead limbs and wood in kilns. Large tracts of this pine 

 are sometimes destroyed by insects which penetrate the bark and wood, and against 

 which no remedy is' known. The yellow pine (P. mitia) is subject to the same 

 casualty. 



8, White Pine (P. sfrohun). Grows on mountains, and not accessible to markets. Its 



timber is valuable, and has a local use. Found in this State GO to 70 feet high and 

 well proportioned. 



FIRS AND SPRUCES. 



1. BAT.SAM Fir (Jhies FraserU). Much like the silver fir of Europe, but smaller, sel- 



dom reaching 40 feet, with a diameter of 12 to V) inches. Occurs on the highest 

 mountains, over 4,000 feet above the sea, where it sometimes forms forests. Its 

 daik foliage gives name to Black Mountain. Scarcely available for timber, being 

 generally inaccessible for market and too small for use. 



2. Black Spruce (A. nigra). Common on mountains, and found at a lower level than 



the preceding. It is here a small tree, and of but little economical use. 



3. White Spkuck {A. alba). Rather rare in the mountains, being found in similar 



localities as the black spruce, and the wood serving the same uses. 



4. HEftiLOCK Spruce {A. Cavadensis). Universally known in the mountain region as 



" Sproce Pine," and in the Northern States as " Hemlock." Found on the mount- 

 ains, on the borders of torrents and cold swamps, but extending down to their 

 base. Larger than the spruces, but much smaller than in northern localities. • 



White Cedar {Cupresaus thnyoides). Confined to swamps in the lower district, where 

 it is sometimes abundant, growing 70 to 80 feet high, with a diameter of 2 to 3 

 feet. This is one of the most valuable timber trees of the country, the wood being 

 fine-grained, soft, light, and easily worked, with a strong aromatic odor. It is used 

 for frames of buildings, shingles, and cooper wares, and its charcoal for gunpowder. 

 Lampblack of best quality is made from this wood. 



Cyi'ukss {Taxodium distichum). Deciduous, and abounding along the lower region of 

 the Atlantic and Gulf States from Delaware to Texas, having in this State about . 

 the same range as the long-leaf pine, but always confined to swamps. Height, GO 

 to 100 feet ; girths above the swolleu base, often 20 to 30 feet. Wood strong, elastic, 

 fine-grained, and lighter and less resinous than the pines. Very durable, and much 

 used as frames, shingles, and fencing. There are three varieties of this species known 

 in the trade — the Bed, Black, and White Cypress, from the color of the heart-wood. 

 The red is most valued ; is less liable to split, and grows with a straight trunk, 

 always swollen at the base. Top small, and the wounded bark reddish. The other 

 varieties grow in similar localities, and are scarcely distinguishable until cut. 

 OAKS. 



1. White Oak (Qnerctis alba). From the coast to the mountains, but most abundant 

 in the middle district. In the lower it grows on the borders of swamps. In the 

 most favored places it grows 70 to 80 feet high, with a diameter of 4 or 5, but it is 

 usmilly not more than 2 feet through. Timber highly valued for frames, ship- 

 building, cairiage-work, agricultural implements, staves, &c. ; in short, wherever 

 strength and durability are required. Bark used in tanning. 



2. Post Oak {Q. obtusiloba). Enters largely into the composition of the forests of the 

 middle district. Less common in the lj> />-er, where it is mostly confined to the 

 swamps and lands that have gone out of cultivation. Rarely .'iO I'eet high ; diam- 

 eter. Id inches or less, but it has been seen 26 inches. Superior to white oak for 

 fineness of grain, strength and elasticity, and highly valued as fence-posts, and for 

 WHgons, staves, and knees in ship-building. 



3. Over-cup Oak (Q. lyraia). In the rich,swampy lands of the Nense and Cape Fear 

 and their tributaries, up as far as Chatham and Orange. Sometimes 80 feet high 

 and 2 to 3 feet in diameter. Wood inferior to the preceding, but serviceable. 



4. Swamp Chestnut Oak (Q.priniis). Met with in the rich soils of the river swamps 

 in the lower district, 80 to 90 feet high, and well proportioned. Timber strong and 



8d feet in length, squared on an average about 26 inches, the largest being 31, and 

 averaged about 343 feet, the largest being 537. A piece previously cut in Bertie 

 County was 80 feet long, 36 inches square at the lower end and 28 at the top, and was 

 sold ior $G00. All these stocks were nearly all of heart-wood. The grain of this heart- 

 wood is generally not very coarse, but more so than the long-leaf, and still more than 

 the yellow pine. 



