* Hais'dbook of Trees of the Xoktii];i;x States axd Ca^s^ada. 



29 



Tlie Black Spruce in forest growth, where 

 climate and conditions are most favorable, is 

 fnuiul Mimetinies attainin^^- the hei^L^nt of 80 - 

 100 ft., with a trunk 2-:] ft. in diameter, hut 

 such conditions are only found in regions 

 north of the Ignited States where the climate 

 is too severe for the endurance of most of oar 

 trees. 



This tree with the Tamarack marks the 

 limit of tree growth in the far north and 

 e>tends in range nearly across the continent, 

 growing alike on bottom-lands and mountain 

 sk")pes. W'ittiin the limits of the United 

 States, liowever. conditions seem to be ]e^^ 

 favorable. Here it is ei)ntiiu^<l to low bottom- 

 hinds, sphagnum swamjis and the margins of 

 ponds, where its dwarfed and picturesque 

 narrow forms with gracefully curved brandies 

 and bluish green foliage are pleasing and 

 characteristic features. It is found even 

 growing to great age in the lioati::;: liog^ a^ o;:t 

 the shores of small lakes in nortl;ern !Minne- 

 sota and producing cones in abnmlance, even 

 though no uiDre than 2 m- 3 ft. in height. 



The wood of the Pdack Spruce is light, a en. 



ft. weighing 32.S(.i lbs., soft and useful for 



paper pulp and lumber when of su!licie:it siz ■.- 



Considerable spruce gum is also ilerived from 



tliis tree. 



Leaves usually \i-^^ in. Innij, crowded and mnrr' 

 or less curved, "stiff and with sharp callous tifis. 

 blue-green with uumi'mus stoma ta aliovp aud 

 fewer beneath : brancliU'ts puboscpnt. Flmm-s : 

 stamioato oblong with n'ddish anthers: pistillalc 

 oblon^? with thin reflexed scales and round-'d prnsc 

 bracts. Fruit : coups ovatP. pprsistint: often 11 or 

 more seasons, strongly rpflexpd upon the branch- 

 lets, %-lV2 in- long. "narrowiuT to a strontrly in- 

 curved stalk, with scab's roundpd and more or 

 less orose-dentatp at aii^'X : seeds about ^s in- 

 lonT with ample pa'e limwn win:^ widest above the 

 p- ■ ' .-■ 



1. Syu. F. I) rev I folia Peck. 



