220 TREES OF MINNESOTA. 



uneven margin; seeds small, with rigid wings. In Maine and 

 elsewhere a large tree, forming valuable forests. In this section 

 occasionally a large tree, but generally small, and seldom cut for 

 timber. 



Distribution. Northern United States, Canada and northward, 

 forming large forests in some sections. In Minnesota it is found 

 in the White Pine belt, though most common in the extreme 

 northern portions. Generally found in swamps known as mus- 

 kegs, on which the trees, with their roots half submerged, make 

 a very slow growth. One specimen, the rings of which showed 

 it to be seventy-three years old, was only one and one-eighth 

 inches in diameter. 



Propagation. By seeds. When plants are desired they may 

 be easily gathered from the woods in this state. 



Properties of Wood. Light, soft, strong, compact and satiny; 

 color, reddish with nearly white sapwood. Specific gravity, 

 0.458; weight of a cubic foot, 28.57 pounds. 



Uses. The Black Spruce is a poor ornamental tree, as it soon 

 loses its lower branches, which with its dead persistent cones 

 and dark-colored bark makes it appear unsightly. It is also a 

 short-lived tree on dry land in this section. Most of the Christ- 

 mas trees in our market of recent years have been of this kind, 

 although the Balsam Fir is also used. The wood is used here to 

 some extent and elsewhere in large quantities for paper pulp, for 

 which purpose it is highly esteemed. In the eastern range of this 

 tree its wood is largely used for flooring, masts, spars, general 

 house and ship building, sounding boards for instruments, and 

 for any other purpose where a light, stiff wood is needed. The 

 gum which this tree exudes is valued as chewing gum, and the 

 gathering of it is quite an industry -in some sections. The 

 essence of spruce is made by boiling the young branches in water 

 and evaporating the decoction. It is used in the manufacture of 

 spruce beer, which is a pleasant and wholesome beverage, and 

 it is sometimes useful on long sea voyages as a preventive of 

 scurvy. 



