ADAPTATION OF CONIFERS 91 



should be more satisfactory on the west coast. The var. 

 hondoensis has made a better specimen tree, being much more 

 clothed with foliage than the species. 



Picea SchrenJciajia is an attractive looking spruce of py- 

 ramidal habit and quite hardy at Ottawa. The foliage, while 

 rather dull in color, is quite distinct from other species. It is 

 uncommon in Canada as yet, but is well worth having where 

 one has room for a number of species. 



Picea ohovata is much like the many small-leaved and slow- 

 growing varieties of Norway spruce and has been called a 

 variety of it. The cones are, however, much smaller than those 

 of the Norway spruce. It is hardy at Ottawa. 



Some specimens of the small-foliaged Picea orientalis have 

 proved hardier than others at Ottawa. In most cases it has 

 killed back considerably and is not satisfactory on the whole. 



The Douglas fir. 



Douglas fir, Pseudotsuga taxifolia, is one of the most 

 valuable Canadian trees. It reaches a great size in British 

 Columbia, where it is native, and it grows also in Alberta in 

 the Rocky Mountains. Its use as a timber tree is well known, 

 but where it is native it is not prized as an ornamental, except 

 that huge specimens are admired in the parks or native wood- 

 lands. In eastern Canada, however, where it has been planted 

 for ornament, it has proved to be very desirable. After thirty 

 years it is better clothed with foliage and branches at Ottawa 

 than almost any other conifer, and from this experience it is 

 highly recommended. Trees are now nearly fifty feet in height. 

 It is important when growing this tree in eastern Canada to 

 obtain seed or plants from the colder or interior parts of its 

 range. If obtained from the west coast, it will not do well. 

 The color of the foliage varies considerably. 



