(38) 



It is the only native pine in this section of the country with 

 leaves in threes, which, consequently, is an unfailing mark of 

 identity if it is certain that such a tree has not 'been imported from 

 outside the region. Furthermore, as may be observed on the speci- 

 mens at hand, the trunk may be covered with great masses of 

 leaves. The Pond Pine of the South, P. serotlna, shows this 

 peculiarity, too. This feature is evidence of a trait peculiar among 

 conifers to this species, namely, that of producing sprouts. It is 

 characteristic of broad-leaved trees, but rare among the conifers. 

 The Redwoods of California exhibit the same ability to a very 

 marked degree. The sprouts of Pitch Pine, however, are short- 

 lived and do not constitute a very successful method of reproduc- 

 tion as sprouts do in the Redwoods. 



The Pitch Pine is a typical hard pine of the northeastern United 

 States, ranging from Maine westward to Ontario and Ohio and 

 southward along the Appalachians to northern Georgia and Ten- 

 nessee. In New Jersey and the Delaware Peninsula it forms exten- 

 sive forests. It may attain a height of 80 feet, though usually is 

 not over 50. 



The wood has always held a secondary place on the market in 

 comparison with better species, such as White Pine. But with the 

 disappearance of those better woods and with improved forestry 

 practice Pitch Pine as well as other less important pines in the 

 East will undoubtedly gain in favor. 



One of the common names of this species, Torch Pine, arose 

 from the extensive use by early settlers of the pitchy pine knots 

 for torches about homesteads and for traveling at night. It 

 formerly was the chief source of turpentine and rosin but is now 

 superseded in this respect by the Longleaf Pine of the south, 

 P. palustris. This latter is the American pitch-pine found in 

 European markets. Tar made from the true Pitch Pine was the 

 pioneer's axle grease. 



In Delaware it is called Longleaf Pine, since its needles are 

 longer than those of the Scrub Pine, P. virginiana (p. 39), asso- 

 ciated with it. For the same reasons it is known in some localities 

 as Longschat Pine. In Massachusetts it is Hard Pine ; in Penn- 

 sylvania, Yellow Pine ; in North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, 

 Black Pine ; and in New York, Black Norway Pine. 



