EVERGREENS OF COLORADO 47 



is likewise adapted to such use, but is more difficult to transplant and has 

 a tendency to lose the lower branches after it acquires considerable size. 

 The red cedar is objectionable in some cases on account of a parasitic 

 fungus which it harbors and which works upon the pear and the quince. 

 On this account it is unwise to use the red cedar along orchards where 

 these fruits are grown. The Douglas fir and the blue spruce are desirable 

 for such purposes where a moderate amount of irrigation can be given 



a 



Fig. 31. White Fir. a. Twig showing circular needle-scars, xl .%. b. 

 Cross-section of a needle, x8. 



them. They should be planted at least eight or ten feet apart, which will 

 give them room in which to develop. If a denser growth is desired, two 

 rows, with the trees alternating in each row, may be planted, with the rows 

 from eight to twelve feet apart. Where a low hedge or hedge-like effect 

 is desired, much closer planting should be done. Thus little trees may be 

 set one or two feet apart and cut back or sheared each season, which will 

 soon establish a dense and uniform wall of evergreen foliage. 



As most of our native evergreens require plenty of sunlight in order 

 to retain their vigor and health, it is nearly useless to try to form good 

 hedges in the shade of large trees. Thorough cultivation is as desirable 

 in securing a vigorous, healthy growth of these trees as in that of other 

 plants, at least until they are well established, which may require a num- 

 ber of years. 



FOREST PRODUCTS. 



While Colorado is not ordinarily classed with the heavy lumber pro- 

 ducing states, still the amount of such material which is annually taken 

 from the mountain forests of this state has a value of several million 

 dollars. The principal timber products are sawn lumber, railway ties, 

 mine props, telephone and telegraph poles, fence posts and fuel. The total 

 production of such material for the year 1911, as shown by the reports of 

 the national forest officers, amounted to 222,808,000 board feet, worth in 

 round numbers, $5,000,000. Of this amount the yellow and lodgepole 

 pine lead, with spruce second, and Douglas fir third. 



The two trees which furnish the largest proportion of sawed timber 

 are yellow pine and Engelmann spruce. On account of its straight, slender 

 trunks, lodgepole pine is extensively used for mine props, poles and posts, 



