UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
BULLETIN No. 544 
Contribution from the Forest Service 
HENRY S. GRAVES, Forester 
Washington, D. C. 
PROFESSIONAL PAPER 
October 31, 1917 
THE RED SPRUCE: 
ITS GROWTH AND MANAGEMENT 
By 
LOUIS S. MURPHY, Forest Examiner 
CONTENTS 
Page 
Introduction . 1 
Uses of Spruce . . g 1 
Amount and Value of Spruce Cut and Im- 
ported . . . 3 
Present Stand of Spruce 7 
Value of Spruce and Spruce Stumpage . 7 
Range and Distribution 10 
Forest Type . . 11 
Second Growth Stands of Spruce ... 14 
Soil and Moisture Requirements ... 14 
Light Requirements 15 
Windfirmness 15 
Reproduction 16 
Form 22 
Length of Life and Maximum Size ... 22 
Susceptibility to Injury 23 
Growth 20 
Stands and Yields 41 
Methods of Cutting 45 
Brush Disposal 59 
Sowing and Planting 64 
Rotation 67 
Appendix 68 
WASHINGTON 
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 
1917 
