Complimentary 
NEW SERIES VOL. II 
NO. 18 
ARNOLD ARBORETUM 
HARVARD UNIVERSITY 
BULLETIN 
OF 
POPULAR INFORMATION 
JAMAICA PLAIN, MASS. NOVEMBER 10, 1916 
The Pinetum. After two seasons of abundant rain the conifers are 
in good condition this autumn, and the Pinetum is now perhaps the 
most interesting part of the Arboretum to visit. At one time or an- 
other every conifer which had any chance of surviving has been tried 
in the Arboretum, and some useful information on the value of the 
different exotic and American species, with the exception of the new 
introductions from China, as ornamental trees in this climate has been 
obtained from the Arboretum experiments. Considering how generally 
unfavorable the New England climate is for trees of this class, the 
large number that succeed here is surprising, although it must be re- 
membered that in this climate many conifers, especially Spruces and 
Firs, are often at their best when not more than forty or fifty years 
old and that as they grow older they gradually fail and lose their value 
as ornamental trees. This is true of the so-called Colorado Blue Spruce 
{Picea pungens), which is still one of the most popular conifers in the 
northern United States, where it is propagated and planted in immense 
numbers, in spite of the fact that it early loses its value as an orna- 
mental tree. The Blue Spruce is very hardy, is easily raised and 
grows rapidly; young plants are of good shape and dense habit with 
their lower branches resting on the ground. There are two forms, 
one with dull green and the other with blue leaves, and the latter 
especially appeals to persons who are fond of unusual looking and 
sensational plants. For the nurseryman the Blue Spruce has every- 
thing to recommend it, easy germination of the seed, quick growth 
and unusual beauty in the young plants, and therefore a certainty 
of a quick sale. For the planter looking for something more impor- 
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