ADAPTATION OF CONIFERS 121 



bility to a great variety of soils and climates, even on the dry 

 hillsides of forest reserves in the south end of the State. 

 Another handsome conifer also growing well in similar situa- 

 tions is Pinus canariensis. Single conifers are seldom planted 

 primarily for shade, but P. Pinea has received such con- 

 sideration and may occasionally be seen in garden or farm- 

 yard, singly or in groups of three or more. It is the only 

 round-topped or umbrella-shaped conifer. 



A few species are planted because of the oddity or beauty 

 of the leaves, such as Agathis robusta, the Dammar-pine from 

 Australia. Its thick flat leaves are two inches wide and three 

 inches long. Species of Podocarpus are also provided with 

 leaves similar to those of the blackwood. Acacia melanoxylon. 

 More nearly needle-like, yet somewhat "leafy," is the foliage 

 of Sciadopitys verticillata, the Japanese umbrella-pine, a species 

 not common on the south Pacific Coast, but more popular 

 northward in more humid atmospheres. All conifers on the 

 Pacific Slope thrive better the farther northward they are 

 planted, except those requiring subtropical winter tempera- 

 tures. So favorable are the climates of Oregon and Washington 

 to the growth of conifers that the planter need consider but 

 the one point of hardiness to cold. 



