TABLE MOUNTAIN PINE. 129 



of tlie short-leaf pine. The rate of growth is very rapid, but the 

 tree is short-lived. 



The leaves are short, 2^ to 8 inches long, rigid, in short sheaths, 

 and usually in twos. The cones are light brown, solitary, curved, 

 and oblong-conical, the scales armed with a rigid prickle. The 

 root system is inclined to be somewhat heart-shaped, with a well 

 developed tap-root. 



The wood is light, soft, not strong, brittle, close-grained and 

 durable ; light orange in color ; the thick sapwood nearly white. 

 It is used for fuel, water pipes, and pump logs. In North Caro- 

 lina it is used in the manufacture of charcoal, and to some extent 

 for fencing. 



Pinus pungens, Michaux. 



(table mountain PINE.) 



A tree, with rough reddish-brown bark and a large spreading 

 crown, reaching a height of 60 and a diameter of 3j feet. 



It occurs along the Alleghany mountains from Pennsylvania to 

 Tennessee, where it reaches its best development. A common 

 tree, sometimes forming pure forest. 



In North Carolina it attains an average height of 30 to 50 feet, 

 and an average diameter of 12 to 20 inches, and is found only 

 along the Blue Eidge and the ranges immediately eastward on 

 the driest, most barren ridges, usuallj^ associated with the pitch 

 pine, and the chestnut and scarlet oaks. It is most abundant in 

 the southeastern parts of Macon and Jackson counties. (Fig. 36, 

 p. 128.) 



It bears seed abundantly ; seedlings are common in open woods 

 near the old trees, and in abandoned fields. 



The leaves are 2 to 2h inches long, stout, and generally in twos. 

 The light yellow very compact cone, 3 inches long and 2 inches 

 broad at the base, has very broad strong sharp spines, 1-6 inch 

 long, bent toward the top of the cone. 



The wood is light, soft, not strong, brittle, coarse-grained ; light 

 brown in color; the thick sapwood nearly wjiite. It is used for 

 charcoal and to some extent in construction. 



9 



