It is a strong reproducer where conditions are at all favor- 
able, especially over moist ground, not overrun by fire. It 
endures shade in the dense forest wonderfully well, and is 
holding its own in the struggle for existence amongst the tree 
life of the coast. It is rapidly growing in importance as a 
commercial wood. 
MENZIES OR SITKA SPRUCE (Picea sitchensis) 
Also called tideland spruce on account of its frequent 
occurrence on the tidal flats of most of our rivers. It is fre- 
quently a very large handsome tree, reaching, when fully 
grown in favorable localities, 15 feet in diameter and 250 feet 
high; but usually four to six feet in diameter. 
It is a strikingly round tree, and in dense stands carries 
its size wonderfully well with trunk clear of branches, for up- 
wards of 100 feet. 
This spruce is a very light soft wood, and very useful for 
certain purposes, such as boxes, boat lumber and shelving, 
and especially valuable for pulp. On the northern coast of 
B. C. it is used almost entirely for building purposes. It grows 
to a great age, the largest trees being about 700 years old. It 
grows rapidly for the first 100 years, and reaches four feet in 
diameter in about 300 years. 
It has a strong tendency to develop large low limbs in 
open stands, thus rendering it unsuitable for the lumberman. 
Very often along the water front, the exposed side will have 
immense limbs, while the other side may be clear. 
Menzies spruce is confined to the Pacific slope region of 
great humidity. It is to be found all over Vancouver Island in 
limited areas, along the banks and deltas of rivers, but most 
plentifully on the west and northern coast of the Island. It 
flourishes best and is the most abundant on higher ground in 
northern latitudes of the coast region. It is plentiful on the 
Queen Charlotte Islands, especially around Masset Inlet. 
It thrives best upon sandy river bottom land, slightly 
elevated, and a short distance from the water’s edge, with the 
