The Black Spruce. By Charles H. Peck. a.m. 



[Read before the Albany Institute, May 4, 1875.] 



If we should consider merely the intrinsic beauty of the 

 black spruce, its ornamental character and its botanical 

 relations, we would not hesitate to bring it forward as an 

 object worthy of the contemplation of the intelligent and 

 the learned ; but when we remember the important part 

 it plays in the formation of our primeval forests, its great 

 value to man, its applicability to building purposes and its 

 utility in the arts, with much more confidence do we 

 bespeak your indulgence while we briefly notice some of 

 its general characters, its peculiarities, its variations and 

 its enemies. 



The common name " black spruce" has reference to the 

 very dark green hue of the foliage. Botanically it is known 

 as Abies nigra. It is neatly contrasted with Abies alba, the 

 white spruce, n closely related tree whose foliage is 

 tinged with a glaucous or silvery hue. Double spruce and 

 single spruce are terms applied respectively to these two 

 trees in some localities. 



The home of the black spruce is in the northern and 

 eastern parts of North America. It is said by Michaux to 

 be found in its greatest abundance between the 44th and 

 53d degrees of north latitude, and the 55th and 75th degrees 

 of west longitude. This would include the southern part 

 of Labrador, the Rupert river region, the provinces of 

 Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, all of Maine 

 and the northern part of New Hampshire, Vermont and 

 New York. Its real range, however, is much greater than 



