18 TREES AND SHRUBS 



distribution and scarcity, with the possible exception that lo- 

 cally it is used for mining timbers where it is the most con- 

 venient tree. 



The two remaining species, Pinus arizonica and P. chihua- 

 huana, occur only in the mountains of the extreme southwest- 

 ern corner of the State, coming into our area from northern 

 Mexico. It is possible that these species may prove to be of 

 some value as decorative trees at the lower levels, since they 

 have a more southerly natural distribution. No attempts to 

 use them have yet been made. 



Spruce (Picea). There are two species which should 

 properly be called spruce growing in New Mexico. They are 

 conical trees with short, stiff, sharp-pointed leaves which grow 

 out in all directions from the stem but turn upwards; they 

 have pendulous cones consisting of thin persistent scales that 

 conceal shorter bracts. They have soft white wood that is 

 valuable for box making. The trees are nowhere very large, 

 rarely reaching the height of 75 feet. Both species are valu- 

 able as decorative trees for the higher levels in the State, and 

 one of them has been introduced rather extensively into culti- 

 vation. Both occur naturally in the high mountains, often 

 forming dense pure forests at elevations of 9,000 feet and 

 over to timber line. 



Engelmann's Spruce {Picea engehnanni) is dark green 

 in color and frequently very slender in form, especially near 

 the top of its distribution area. On the faces of cliffs and on 

 high mountain peaks it is frequently dwarfed and straggly as 

 the result of wind action. The cones are small and purplish 

 until maturity, when they become dry and brown; its leaf 

 bases are rough hairy. 



The Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea parryana) is similar 

 to the preceding, but the young leaves are covered with a 

 whitish "bloom," which gives rise to the common name. Its 

 cone is almost twice as large as that of the other species and 

 its leaves are smooth. It makes a very beautiful decorative 



