THE

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION

FOREST TREES OF CANADA

EOBEET BELL, M.D., F.G.S., C.E.,

Assistant Director of the Geological Survey op Canada.

{FROM THE REPORT OF THE SURVEY FOR 1880.)

1882.

MONTREAL :

PRINTED BY THE GAZETTE PRINTING COMPANY.

1882.

The EDITH and LORNE PIERCE
COLLECTION of CANADI ANA

Queens University at Kingston

THE

GEOGR API IIC AL DISTRIBUTION

FOREST TREES OF CANADA.

ROBERT BELL, M.I)., F.G.S., C.E.,

Assistant Dikectok of the Geological Survey of Canada.

{FROM THE REPORT OF THE SURVEY FOR 1SS0.)

1882,

MONTREAL:
PRINTED BY THE GAZETTE PRINTING COMPANY.

1882.

Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2013

http://archive.org/details/geographicaldiOObell

\

THE NORTHERN LIMITS OF THE PRINCIPAL FOREST TREES
OF CANADA, EAST OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.

(Represented on the accompanying Map.)

On the accompanying map the general northern limits of the princi-
pal forest trees of Canada, east of the Eocky Mountains, are repre-
sented. The lines have been laid down chiefly from observations made Authorities for

ti*oo~ lines

by the writer during the last twenty-five years, extending from New-
foundland nearly to the Eocky Mountains, and from the northern
United States to the eastern and western shores of Hudson's Bay. The
limiting lines of the speeies which extend into the far North-west are Far North-wes t
drawn from information received from various officers of the Hudson's
Bay Company, and from the data furnished by the accounts and maps
of the different scientific travellers who have penetrated these regions.
In the more southern regions, many details have been obtained from
lumbermen and botanists which have helped to determine the lines
with great accuracy in certain localities. Among the botanists may be Botanist.?,
mentioned Mr. A. T. Drummond, the late Dr. John Bell, Professors
Lawson, Bailey, Macoun and N. H. Winchell, also the older botanists
who have written on our flora. Thanks are due to my colleagues on
the Geological Survey, Messrs. Eichardson and Webster, for some facts Geologists,
on the distribution of trees in the Province of Quebec, and to Messrs.
Fletcher, Ells and Broad, for others as to the Maritime Provinces,
while Mr. A. S. Cochrane has made careful notes on this subject during
our explorations in the North-west territories. To Captain William
Kennedy, the Arctic explorer, now residing in Manitoba, thanks are Capt. Kennedy,
due for valuable information as to the trees of the peninsula of Labra-
dor, in different parts of which he spent a number of years in the
Bervice of the Hudson's Bay Company. The Hon. D. A. Smith, Mi*.
Robert Crawford, and others wTho have resided in the Labrador coun- Labrador,
try, have also given notes on the timber, which have greatly facilitated
the approximate determination of the limits of the species found in
that large peninsula. Nearly all the reports of the Geological Survey,
from 1857 to 1879, contain more or less information on the distribution
of timber trees, but previous to the former year the writer had studied
the forests of -out hern Ontario and the Ottawa valley. In a paper on
the " Trees and Shrubs of Lake Superior," published in the Transac- Lake Superior,
tions of the Botanical Society of Canada in 18G1, he pointed out a
number of facts in regard to the geographical distribution of trees in

Original

Thirty species
shewn on map

Forty other
species east of
the Rocky Mts.

Occasional
occurrence
beyond limits.

Southern
boundaries

Prof. Sargent.

Other praotica
\ alue of this
information.

that region, which had not been previously observed. In 1873, the
northern limits of our principal timber trees in the provinces of]
Ontario, Quebec, Now Brunswick and Nova Scotia were laid down in
colored lines on a large Bheet, to illustrate a lecture before the Natural
History Society of Montreal, by Mr. A. T. Drummond, on the distribu-
tion of plants in Canada. This sheet was loaned to tin' Department of
the Interior, Ottawa, and some of the lines were transferred from it to
the large map exhibited by the Department at the Paris International
Exhibition of 1878. A reduction of the same sheet was published
in 1870, to accompany a paper by Mr. Drummond in the report of the
Montreal Horticultural Society and FruikGrowers' Association. In the
portion of the present map which includes the four provinces referred
to, the tree-lines are all carefully revised and corrected. The northern
limits of thirty of the principal species of our forest trees are outlined
on this map, being' as large a number as can be conveniently repre-
sented on so small a scale. About forty other species, however, besides
shrubs, occur within the limits of the Dominion east of the Rocky
Mountains. A list of these, with notes on their geographical distribu-
tion, is added to that of the species mentioned on the map.

One of the principal uses of this map is to indicate the area within
the Dominion throughout which each kind of timber exists. The
abundance and quality of each kind varies much, of course, within
these boundaries. Occasional or chance trees and depauperated repre-
sentatives of some of the species shown on the map are known to occur
beyond the limits laid down, but as these lines are intended to repre-
sent the general boundaries, they could not fairly be extended so as to
include such cases. More or less extensive outliers or colonies, of some
trees occur in situations entirely separated from the main areas occu-
pied by the species to which they belong. The southern boundaries of
some of the more northern species, such as the white spruce. Banksian
pine and balsam poplar, might be nearly included within the map, but
to avoid confusion it is considered best to show only the northern
limits. Most of our forest trees extend far to the south of the confines
of Canada, so that at any point which we choose to select within the
Dominion we are apt to find in the forest nearly all the species Avhose
northern limits lie to the north of it. Professor Charles S. Sargent, of
Harvard College, a special commissioner in connection with the tenth
census of the United States, is preparing maps illustrative of the dis-
tribution of the woods, prairies and barren grounds of North America,
and at his request the writer has had much pleasure in assisting him
in this work as far as Canada is concerned.
l A knowledge of the limits of our different forest trees is also valuable
as indicative of climate. Some of these will be found to correspond

5

with the northern Limits of the successful cultivation of particular
crops. Certain trees cease to exist when they come to regions subject
to severe spring or summer frosts, or where early autumn frosts pre-
vent them from maturing their fruits. Locally, the presence of a par-
ticular group of trees is serviceable as a guide to the quality of the
soil, hut owing to differences in the character of the elimate and other
circumstances, it is obvious that such a test, although quite reliable
within a limited area, may not be at all applicable to another region.

Some species appear to find their appropriate conditions in different Situation and
latitudes by a change in their habitat: for example, the larch, balsam
fir and white birch, which in the north grow freely on dry or hilly
ground, towards the southern limits seek the cold ground in* swamps.
The white eedar and white pine in some places manifest the same
tendency.

The appropriate temperature for the growth of a number of species Effect of
is carried far to the south of their normal latitudes, along the elevated
parts of the continent, especially the Alleghanies and the Rocky
Mountains.

The range of any species is evidently not governed entirely by the Causes
mean annual temperature. The extremes of heat and cold in the west, fang™1" g
as compared with the milder winters and cooler summers in the east, spec
with about the same mean temperature for the year, appears to be the
chief cause of the marked difference in the character of the woods in
the two regions, since there is not a sufficient disparity in the amount
of the annual precipitation to account for it. A great difference in the
moisture of the air in two regions, otherwise resembling each other in
climatic conditions, has also a powerful effect upon the growth of
forests ; and the dryness of the air in the western prairie and arid
regions is, no doubt, the chief cause of the absence of timber. The
proximity of the sea, especially where fogs or cold winds are of fre-
quent occurrence, has a great influence upon the kinds and the size of
the timber, and, in the north, upon the very existence of trees near
the coast. Differences in the composition of the soil apjDear to have
only a local effect upon the distribution of forest trees.

The study of the geographical distribution of the various forest trees Geological
of North America possesses a certain interest to the geologist as bear-
ing upon questions in regard to the condition of the continent in later
geological times. The outlines of the areas occupied by the different
species, and other circumstances connected with their character and
distribution, may throw some light on their dispersion from certain
centres or lines, or possibly, in some cases, their contraction from
wider Limits; or we may find that some of them have still a tendency
i«> advance or retire.

Great variety of
trees in North
America.

Great areas
occupied by
northern
species.

Causes.

Peculiarities.

The continent of North America possesses a greal variety of forest
trees. About 340 different species occur within the United Slates.
All the kinds which we have in Canada, amounting to about ninety,
including those of the Pacific slope, are also met with in that country.
Some species arc not only very widely diffused, but are also persistent
over great areas, being found almost everywhere within the limits of
their distribution, while others, although having an extensive range,
are nowhere very common, and arc sometimes absent for considerable
intervals. Others, again, are confined to comparatively small tracts.
As a general rule, the more northern species occupy the greatest
extent of country, while the southern ones are progressively more and
more restricted, even in a more rapid ratio than would be implied by
the narrowing of the continent from north to south. This is owing to
the great differences experienced in climatic conditions in going from
east to west in the more southern latitudes. Along the northern bor-
ders of the forests of the continent the elevation of the land above the
sea is comparatively slight and regular, and the other physical condi-
tions are tolerably uniform. As a consequence, we find the most
northern group of trees extending from Newfoundland into Alaska, a
distance of about 4,000 miles.

An inspection of the accompanying map will show some interesting
features as to the general distribution of our forest trees, as well as
regarding almost every individual species of timber. For example, it
will be observed that there is no material change in the woods through-
out the great triangular area embracing about 600,000 square miles, of
which the national boundary line between the Eocky Mountains and
Lake Superior forms the base, and the Eocky Mountains and Lauren-
tian hills respectively the west and east sides, the apex being at the
mouth of the Mackenzie Eiver. In the southern part of this area, a
number of species are added to the kinds which everywhere through-
out it make up the bulk of the forests, and again, few trees of any kind
are found to the south of the North Saskatchewan ; still, making allow-
ance for local peculiarities of condition, there is a remarkable uniformity
in the timber of this enormous area. It includes, however, only a few
species, of which the aspen, balsam poplar and willows are more
abundant towards the western, and the spruces, larch, balsam fir and
Banksian pine towards the eastern side of the area.

It will be observed that the lines marking the northern limits of

River.

Limiting lines
turn southward

about a dozen species turn southward and become their western limits
on reaching the eastern side of the valley of Lake Winnipeg and the
Red River ; while the boundaries of the species occurring next to the
south of these also manifest a tendency to turn southward in approach-
ing the prairies of the west. The species above referred to are the

white cedar, black ash, white pine, rod pine, sugar maple, yellow
birch, red oak, white ash, hemlock, beech, ironwood, red cedar (arbor-
escent variety) and white oak. They are to a great extent replaced
by other species before the region of open plains is reached. Had the Replaoed by
great forests originally extended further west, and been destroyed by ^f™
fire or other causes, in comparatively recent times, we should have
found the northern limits of these species continuing their general
course to the prairie region, and ending abruptly there, instead of
which they all curve gradually round, in a more or less concentric
fashion, and other trees occupy the intervening ground. These well-
marked features of forest distribution show that the present divisions
of prairie and woodland are of very ancient date. The evidence of the
smaller plants, and also of certain superficial geological conditions, all
point to the same conclusion.

The state of Minnesota is situated in a very interesting region in
regard to forest distribution. Here we find the northern limit of theForest
group to which the most southern trees of Ontario belong, such as the Minnesota" m
black walnut, shell-bark hickory, hackberry and Kentucky coffee tree ;
the north-western limit of the commoner trees of the northern states
and of Quebec and Ontario, such as the white oak, red cedar (abor-
escent variety), ironwood, beech, hemlock, white ash, rock elm, red
oak, yellow and black birch, sugar maple, red maple, wild plum, &c. ;
the western boundaries of some of the trees whose northern limits pass
through northern Ontario, such as the white cedar, black ash, white
pine and red pine ; the southern limits of the most northern group,
including the white spruce, the larch, Banksian pine, balsam fir, balsam
poplar and canoe birch; and the general eastern limits of some of the
western species, such as the ash-leaved maple, green ash, bur oak and
cottonwood.

It will be observed that in the Labrador peninsula the tree-lines Trend of tree-
trend northward mid-way between the eastern and western shores. Labrador.
This is due partly to the unfavorable influence of the sea on either side,
and partly to the beneficial effect of the central depressions in which
the rivers run northward into Ungava Bay. From Mingan to Lake
Superior, the height of land, north of the St. Lawrence, is rudely Height of land
parallel to the general course of the lines marking the northern boun- nnes!lel t0 tree
daries of the trees, and it may have had some effect in limiting the
northward range of a number of species. A southward curve in the
watershed about the longitude of Ottawa is marked by a corresponding
curve in the tree-lines, Again, where a great depression occurs in this Effect of
dividing plateau, some of the trees, which in such places may hedepre83ions'
approaching their northern boundaries, are found to extend, in the
lower levels, beyond their general outline on either side. As examples

9

of this, the Lake Temiscaming and Abittibi district, and the valley of
the Kenogami, or principal south branch of the Albany, may bo men

MooseWver. ftoned. On the ftftssinaibi, or wesl branch of the Moose River, the
while elm reappears 130 miles north of its general boundary <>u
descending to a sufficiently low elevation above the sea. The Sague-
nay, for about 100 miles from the St. Lawrence, is really a narrow arm

LukoSt. John. 0f tfte Sl,.u an(j ,(,,. ,.()imt,y m the vicinity of Lake St. John, at the head
of the river, is only slightly elevated above its level, and has a fertile
soil, although surrounded by a mountainous region. Here we find an
isolated colony of bass-wood, sugar maple, and other trees, considerably
removed 1'rom the rest of their species. On the north side of Lake
Huron and to the north of the city of Quebec, the land rises somewhat
rapidly, and in both instances the tree-lines near these latitudes are
more closely crowded together than elsewhere.

northern limits. Some kinds of trees, in approaching their northern limits, show a
tendency to diminish gradually in size, and to become more and more
scattered, rendering it difficult to draw any definite boundary of the
species, while others vanish abruptly. The latter habit is more charac-
teristic of southern than northern species, as far as the Dominion is
concerned. The various species appear to die out more gradually as
they range northward in the western than in the eastern regions.

Forest trees east of the Eocky Mountains may be divided into four
groups, as regards their geographical distribution within the Dominion :
(1) A northern group, including the white and black spruces, larch,
Banksian pine, balsam tir, aspen, balsam poplar, canoe birch, willows
and alder. These cover the vast territory down to about the line of
the white pine. (2) A central group of about forty species, occupying
the belt of country from the white pine line to that of the button-wood ;
(3) a southern group, embracing the button-wood, black walnut, the
hickories, chestnut, tulip-tree, prickly ash, sour-gum, sassafras and
flowering dog-wood, which are found only in a small area in the south-
ern part of Ontario ; (4) A western group, consisting of the ash-leaved
maple, bur oak, cotton-wood and green ash, which are scattered sparing-
ly over the prairie and wooded regions west of lved River and Lake
Winnipeg.

In the western peninsula of Ontario the forests present a remarkable
richness in the number of species to be found growing together. In
some Localities as many as fifty different kinds may be counted on a
single farm lot. A more varied mixture is probably not to be met with
in any other part of the continent, or perhaps in the world.

[n tracing the tree-lines across the continent in the comprehensive
manner shown on the map, it will be found thai mosl of them alto rd
interesting peculiarities for study. A few facts will now be given in

Four groups.

Richness in
species.

regard to fche geographical distribution of the % thirty species whose Thirty species

. ., tn . . . ,i mi enumerated in

northern limits, within the Dominion, are shown upon the map. 1 hoy their order
will be noticed in the order of their occurrence from north to south, and j£uthUortlt°
the linos traced from east to west. The common names used are those
by which they are known in Canada.

1. White Spruce, Single Spruce, Sea Spruce — Pine of the Hud- White spruce.
son's Bay Company's people, — (Albiesalba, Michx.) — This and the next

are the most northern trees of North America. Abundant and of good

size in Newfoundland and the Maritime Provinces, where it is sawn into province.

deals. The Indians of these provinces call it " sea spruce" to distinguish

it from the next. Captain Kennedy informs me that south of the limit

shown on the map it is common in valleys and sheltered places through- Labrador-

out the Labrador peninsula. It nowhere reaches the Atlantic coast,

receding further and further in going north. On the south side of

Ungava Bay it is found at the mouths of Whale, George's and Ungava

Rivers, large enough for building boats, but the trunks are short and apt

to be knotty. In going up the east coast of Hudson's Bay it vanishes Hudson's Bay.

about latitude 57°, or a few miles above Richmond Gulf, but it is said

to extend further north at a distance inland. On the west coast of the

bay it extends to Seal River, in latitude 59°, from which the northward

limit runs apparently almost directly north-west to near the mouth of Mackenzie

the Mackenzie River, or about latitude 68°. According to both Hearne

and Sir John Richardson, it is found on the Coppermine River to within

twenty or thirty miles of the sea. Around James' Bay, and between

this bay and Lakes Huron, Superior and Winnipeg, it attains a good

size for lumber, and even on the Hayes and Nelson Rivers I have seen

good, sound logs cut upwards of two feet in diameter, and showing from

100 to 140 lines of growth. Common throughout Quebec and Northern

Ontario, but rare in the southern parts of the latter province. In the

prairie country I have not seen it further south-west than Pine Creek,

about 100 miles w^est of Winnipeg.

la. Black Spruce, Double Spruce (Abies nigra, Poir.) — Professor Black spruce.
Gray regards the white and black spruce as probably only varieties of one
species, and there certainly appears to be every gradation between the
two. The white spruce grows on rich intervale grounds, or near the Differences,
shores of lakes and rivers ; it becomes a moderately large tree, while
the black spruce is found on hills and in cold swamps, and is a smaller
tree than the other. The bark of the white spruce, when young, is
smooth and grey, while that of the black spruce is brownish, and is
always covered with small, loose scales, even when the trees are young.
The two kinds have the same geographical range northward.

2. American Larch, Tamarac, Red Spruce, Juniper (Larix Ameri- American
cana, Michx.) — All the way from Newfoundland to near the mouth of '

10

the Mackenzie River, the northern Limit of this tree is only a little to
the southward of that of the spruce. It is found along with this tree
on the shores of Qngava Bay. In Newfoundland, New Brunswick^nd
the Gaspe* peninsula it attains a good size, and is a valuable timber-tree
on all the northern branches of the St. Lawrence and throughout the
ported.**" Ottawa valley, from which large quantities have been exported for
ship-building, &c. It has an equally thrifty growth in the country to
the south of James' Bay, and westward towards Lake Winnipeg. In
this great region it attains its greatest perfection on the dry uplands
and in good soil near the rivers, but smaller trees, with small black
spruces, grow everywhere on the level or swampy grounds. South of
the Ottawa it grows principally on low and level land.

Balsam poplar. 3 BALSAM POPLAR, BALM OF GlLEAD, BOUGH-BARKED POPLAR,

Cotton Tree, White-Wood, &c, (Populus balsamifera, L.) — Abundant
everywhere around the Gulf of St. Lawrence and throughout a great
part of the Labrador peninsula. Luxuriant, but not of large size, along

Hudson's Bay. all the rivers of James' Bay and of the south-west side of Hudson's
Bay, disappearing about Fort Churchill, from which its northern limit
runs to about latitude 65° on the Mackenzie. On the east side of the
bay small trees were seen as far north as Richmond Gulf. It is a very

BJverenzie common tree, and of large size in the valley of the Mackenzie, espe-
cially on the Riviere aux Liards. It attains a considerable size around
Lakes Huron and Superior, where the thick bark of old trees is used by
the fishermen as a subsitute for cork m making net-floats.

Aspen. 4. Aspen, Common Poplar, Trembling-Leaved Poplar (Populus

tremuloides, Michx.) A rather more southern tree than the last;
very common throughout the whole region from the Gulf of St.
Lawrence to near the mouth of the Mackenzie River. It extends

Labrador. over the southern half of the Labrador peninsula, and around
James' Bay. On the south-west side of Hudson's Bay it keeps
some distance back from the coast. It is the commonest tree in

North-west the prairie and half- wooded parts of the North- West territories.

territories. Throughout the Hudson's Bay Territory it is the principal fuel used by
Indians and for open fires at the Company's posts, as it does not throw
out sparks like the spruce and larch. In the Eastern Townships and
elsewhere it is used for the manufacture of paper. Although the most

Most widely widely diffused tree of North America, it is relatively most abundant in

North6 America the west, where it ranges from the Arctic regions to California.
Professor Sargent remarks that it has "not yet been seen on the
high peaks of the southern Alleghany Mountains, to which it might
naturally extend."

Canoe birch. B. Canoe Birch, White Birch (Betula Papyracea, Ait.) — A very
common tree along the northern tributaries of the St. Lawrence, and

11

ranging as tar north in the Labrador peninsula as Lake Naskopie, and Labrador.

to within 250 miles, or perhaps less, of Ungava Bay, on t he river of the

same name. It attains its greatest perfection around the (Julf of St. Greatest

■v ,. i • i • i ,. i • pertection.

Lawrence ami in the Ottawa valley, and is also iound of large size near

Lakes Huron and Superior. In Labrador, on both sides of James' Bay
and north-westward to the Mackenzie River, it affords sufficiently large
sheets of bark for canoe-building. From James' Bay to the Mackenzie, Can°e building,
which it Btrikes beyond the Arctic Circle, its northward boundary keeps
near that of the aspen, being sometimes on one side of it and some-
times on the other. In the most southern parts of Ontario it is rare, of
small size, and found only in swamps. In the Bed River region it
ranges as far south as the United States' boundary, and is found along
the Assiniboine valley as far west as the Qu'Appelle lakes.

6. Banksian Pine, Scrub Pine, Jack Pine, Cypress (Pinus Banksiana, Banksian pine.
Lamk.) — This tree has not been noticed in Newfoundland, on the north

shore of the Gulf of St. LawTrence, nor in the interior of Labrador be-
yond Lake Mistassini, although it may possibly have a somewhat more
northern range in this peninsula than represented on the map It
occurs throughout Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Starting from
the head of the Bay of Chaleur, its northward limit appears to cross the Northern limit,
other tree lines to the lake just named, from which it runs west to the
Moose River, keeping about 100 miles south of James' Bay. From
Moose River it runs north-west to the Mackenzie, which it crosses about
the Arctic Circle. It does not touch either James' or Hudson's Bay.
Southward it is common on the north shore of Lake Huron and
around both shores of Lake Superior, whence it is met with all through
the country to Lake Winnipeg. The area over which it is distributed Area of distri-
appears to be in the form of a belt, with a breadth equal to five or six
degrees of latitude, running across the continent. Although a small and
scrubby tree in the southern and eastern parts of its range, in the
central part (both as regards latitude and longitude) it attains much
greater perfection. On the southern branches of the Albany I have
seen large groves of these trees about seventy feet in height, and two
feet in diameter at the butt, with straight trunks nearly free from
branches for the first twenty or thirty feet.

7. Balsam Fir, Fir, Var, Silver Pine, Blister Pine — "Palm" inBalsainfir
Cape Breton — {Abies balsamea, Marshall.) — The Maritime Provinces,
Newfoundland and the southern half of the Labrador peninsula, its
northern limits in this region being on Naskopie Lake and the Ungava
River. It flourishes best in the Gaspe peninsula, where I have seen Gaspe\
many trees from twenty inches to two feet in diameter, with trunks

tall enough to atford one good sawlog — about fifteen feet. It occurs
around James" Bay, but its northern limit keeps to the south-west of

12

Nelson River-

Ontario-

White cedar.

Cedar absent.

James' Bay/

Lake
Winnipeg.

Outlier.

Labrador.

Supposed
cause-

Hudson's Bay, where it passes between Fori Severn and Trout Lake,
and reaches the Qeighbourhood of the junction of 1 1 10 Shammattawa
and Steel Rivers, which form the Haves' River. Prom this point it
turns south-west, and crosses the Nelson River at the outlet of Sipi-
wesk Lake, from which it runs north-west to the Mackenzie River,
crossing it about latitude 05°. South-west of Hudson's Bay it grows
only in the warmest and best, soils, and is entirely wanting in the cold,
swampy tracts. In Ontario, where it is cultivated as an ornamental
tree, 1 have not observed it growing naturally south of the latitude of
Toronto. In the North-West territories it appears to be absent to the
south and west of Lake Winnipegosis.

8. White Cedar, Cedar, Arbor Vit^e {Thuya occidentalis, L.) — The
geographical distribution of this species presents some very interesting
features. In the Gulf of St. Lawrence region its boundary runs south-
east from Anticosti to the Bay of Fundy, directly acros sail the inter-
vening tree-lines. It is absent from Newfoundland, Caj)e Breton, Nova
Scotia, and the eastern half of Prince Edward Island, but is unusually
large and fine in New Brunswick and the Gaspe* peninsula, in which
the climate, soil, &c, are the same as in the adjacent regions, where
not a trace of the species is to be found. From Anticosti the limit runs
south-westward to a point about 200 miles north of Montreal. Thence
it turns north-west and. reaches Eupert's House, on James' Bay. From
the neighbourhood of Moose Factory the line crosses the Albany Eiver
at some distance from the sea, and continues westward to a point about
seventy-five miles south-west of Trout Lake, where it turns south-west
and reaches the southern extremity of Lake Winnipeg ; thence it turns
southward to the United States boundary, keeping to the east of the
lied Eiver all the way. There is a remarkable outlier of white cedar
brushwood around Cedar Lake, on the lower part of the Saskatchewan
Eiver, at a distance of 190 miles to the north-west of the nearest point
of the main area covered by the species, and a few cedar trees are said
to occur on Lake Winnipeg, not far from the mouth of the Saskatche-
wan. Captain Kennedy informs me that he believes the white cedar
occurs in Labrador west of the head of Hamilton Inlet, If so, this
outlier would occupy a position with regard to the north-east promon-
tory of the cedar-line which would correspond to that of the Cedar
Lake one to its north-western promontory. We might account for the
singular fact that the white cedar has not yet extended itself eastward
into Newfoundland and Nova Scotia by supposing that, in compara-
tively late geological times, when the land was lower or the sea higher,
the Arctic current, which now flows through the Straits of Belleisle into
the Gulf, passed on over the isthmus separating Nova Scotia
from New Brunswick, and flowed through the Bay of Fundy. This

13

Steady current of Arctic water, which would itself carry no seeds ot
trees, mighl prevent those of the cedar from crossing to the islands
beyond it. But on this hypothesis it would be difficult to understand Difficulty.

why the white pine, yellow birch and other trees, which arc even
more southern in their general habit than the species in question,
should be found in these provinces.

9. Black Ash. Swamp Ash (Fraxinus sambucifAia, Lam.) — In Anti- Black ash.
eosti and southern Newfoundland. From the neighbourhood of Seven
Islands the northern limit runs west (curving slightly to the southward)

to Lake Winnipeg. It is common, hut of small size, along the different
branches of the Moose River, especially towards the height of land. Moose River>
St. Peter's portage, on the Missinaibi branch is the most northern
point at which I have seen it in this region. I have found small trees
around the southern part of Lake Winnipeg, but have never noticed it
further west.

10. White Elm, S\vaml> Elm, Grey Elm, American Elm (t77nws white eim.
Americana, Willd.) — With the exception of the northern group, this
species has the widest range of any tree in Canada. It extends from

the southern part of Newfoundland to the base of the Eocky Mountains.
It occurs at the head waters of all the principal branches of the Moose
Biver, and on one of them, the Missinaibi, I found an outlier within 120 outiier
miles of James' Bay. On the Ivenogami it extends to a point about
halt-way from Long Lake to the Albany. The northern limit intersects Most northerly
the east shore of Lake Winnipeg, and gains its highest latitude (about raDge-
54^°) on the main Saskatchewan, where Mr. A. S. Cochrane last sum-
mer observed some good-sized trees not far from Cumberland House.
Professor Macoun says he has " found it on Tail Creek, which discharges
Buffalo Lake into Bed Deer Biver, a branch o£ Bow Biver." In the Eow River,
plain country, near the United States boundary line, the writer met jn t^e piajn
with fair-sized trees in valleys in the Wood Mountains, and in different country-
valleys to the northward of them. The trees in such situations are not
visible from the table-lands until the brink of the valley is reached, and
are locally known as " sly-wToods." It grows to a large size along the
Bed and Assiniboine Bivers.

11. Ash-Leaved Maple, Box Elder, Bed Biver Maple (Kegundo Ash-leaved
aceroides, Mcench.) — Does not appear to have been found native in Quebec map e

or Ontario, although occurring in the eastern states. Young trees

raised at Montreal from seeds brought from Manitoba are growing very Montreal.

rapidly, and bearing seeds in the eighth year from sowing. In the

North- West, Professor Winchell gives it as reaching the western

extremity of Lake Superior. It is abundant in the Bed Eiver valley, l!Vi{c superior.

and extends north to the Dog's Head on Lake Winnipeg, beyond which

the writer has not found it in that direction. It occurs along the main

14

Buffalo Lake.

(Jrccn ash.

Saskatchewan.

Owen Sound.

Bur oak-

Dakota.

Winnipeg
River.

N. and W.
limits.

"White pine.

Area of pine.

Lowest and
highest lati-
tudes.

Newfoundland.

Saskatchewan and the south branch. The most westerly locality
known is Tail Creek, which discharges Buffalo Lake, where it was
found by Professor Macoun, along with the white elm. It is difficult
to draw the geographical boundary of* any tree in the prairie couutry,
where timber of all kinds is so scarce, and therefore the lines on the
map in this region are subject to correction.

12. Green Ash, Western Ash (Fraxinus viridis, Michx.) — Com-
mon along the Red River in Manitoba, and extends north-westward as
far as the Saskatchewan, in the neighborhood of Cumberland House.
Mr. A. S. Cochrane writes that he found it abundant, but of small size,
at the Birch portage, in this vicinity. I have met with it at the elbow
of the South Saskatchewan, and Professor Macoim says he has not
seen it west of the Cypress Hills, but that it extends east as far as
Owen Sound, on the Georgian Bay. Jt occurs on the Lake of the Woods
and along the Rainy River.

13. Bur Oak (Quereus macrocarpa, Michx.) — The limit of this species
in Canada extends from the international boundary on Lake Superior
north-westward to the north end of Lake Winnipegosis, from which it
drops south to the Dakota line, in the vicinity of the Souris River.
Professor Winchell writes that it is scattered all over the state of
Minnesota. It attains a good size on the Rainy River and in the
district between Lake of the Woods and Winnipeg River and the Red
River ; also along the Red and Assiniboine Rivers. On the English
River it was first observed about half-way from Lonely Lake to the
Winnipeg River. It extends northward on Lake Winnipeg as a tree
to the Loon Straits, and as a bush to Bcren's River. Small trees occur
along the Swan River and north branch of the Assiniboine. Professor
Macoun has not noticed it west of Spy Hill, near the Qu'Appelle River.

14. White Pine — " Yellow Pine" of the British markets — (Pinus
strobus, L.) — This and the next species have so nearly the same limit
throughout the greater part of their northward range, that they are
represented on the map both by one line. The red pine, however,
does not extend so far east as the white, so that in this direction the
line represents only the boundary of the latter. Contrary to popular
belief, the white pine is confined to a comparatively small part of the
Dominion, as will be observed by an inspection of the map. Jts north-
ern limit in Canada extends east as far as Mingan, while to the west it
does not reach Lake Winnipeg, or Red River. It reaches ite lowest
latitude opposite to Ottawa City, about 48^°, and its highest, about 52°,
in the Lonely Lake region. It occurs in favorable situations through-
out the greater part of Newfoundland, but it is of best quality and
most abundant along the Gander and Exploit Rivers on the north, and
the llumber on the west side of the island. On the last named stream,

15

I have ciu into tlu1 centres of several good-sized trees, and found the

wood of excellent quality. In the country immediately north of Lake

St. John, the Messrs. Price have cut Large quantities of fine white pine Lake St. John.

timber tor export. When coming from Lake Mistassini to Ottawa, by

way of the (Jatincau River, Mr. Richardson, of the Geological Survey, (j^tinciiu

first met this species at 230 miles north of that city. It occurs of fair

size on the head waters of all the principal branches of the Moose Moose River.

River, and in former times is said to have extended considerably further

north along these streams; hut having* been entirely destroyed by

extensive forest tires, it has been replaced by other trees. Owing to

these tires it is now very scarce in mos{, of the region north of Lake

Superior, but small groves of it have been observed as far north as Lake Superior.

represented. It is scattered over the country between Lake Superior

and the Winnipeg River and around Lonely Lake, but it is of rather

small size. In approaching Lake Winnipeg the limiting line of this .

Winnipeg

tree curves south-westward, and crosses the Winnipeg River about River.
fifteen miles above Fort Alexander, and then runs south to the United
States boundary at some distance east of Red River.

15. Red Pine, Norway Pine (Pinus resinosa, Ait.)— As above stated, tied pine,
the northward range of this species and the white pine correspond so
nearly, except towards the east, that for the present their limit is repre-
sented by a single line. It is not so common a tree in Canada as the
white pine, and is usually found in rather small groves, although in the
Ottawa valley they are sometimes pretty extensive. The white pine,

on the other hand, may be found mixed with all other kinds of trees.
It begins to disappear from the northern parts of the region of the range,
white pine east of the longitude of Quebec, and is absent from Anticosti
and Newfoundland. I have observed it in the Province of Quebec on
the upper part of the Patapedia River, in the Gaspe peninsula, and Mr.
Ells informs me that it is found on the Tobique River and on the New
Brunswick and Canada railway fifty miles from St. Andrew's.

16. Yellow Birch (Betula excelsa, Ait.) — The 49th parallel forms Yellow birch,
the average northern limit of this species from Newfoundland to the

Red River valley, in which it curves round and runs southward. It

grows to a good size in Newfoundland and the Maritime Provinces, Newfoundland.

where it is used in ship-building. Some of the trees whose northern

boundaries are near that of the yellow birch in the east, gain much

higher latitudes in the west. It ranges north of the height of land at

Lake Abittibi, but is not found on the north shore of Lake Superior Lake Superior.

from Michipicoten to the United States boundary, and only small trees

are found on the Canadian side of the line from this point to the Rainy

River.

VI

Lake of the
Woods.

Red oak.

Sugar maple. 17. Suoab Maple, Habd Maple, Rock Maple (Acer saccharinum,
Wang.) — Tliis tree, which was adopted as emblematic of Canada, is
confined to the south-eastern borders of the Dominion. It is rather

more southern in its tendency than the \vllow birch. Some small

trees have been noted at the head of Bay St. George, Newfoundland.

Gasp& It is found in sheltered places on the north side of the Gaspe* peninsula,

and is common in its southern parts, thrives well on the fertile lime-
stone land of Lake St. John, and readies Lake Temiscamang on the
Ottawa; is abundant, bu1 of a dwarfed description, on Michipicoten

Lake Superior. Island and the hills on the east side of Lake Superior. Going north in
this region, the last trees were seen south of the Long portage, on the
Michipicoten River. Jt is absent from the northern parts of the shores of
Lake Superior and northward. On the west side of the lake it re-appears
on the south side of the lower part of the valley of the Kaministiquia
River, and thence the limit keeps westward, a little to the north of the
boundary line, as far as Lake of the Woods, where it turns south. Sir
John Richardson mentions this tree as occurring in the Saskatchewan
region, but this is probably an error.

18. Red Oak (Quercus rubra, L.) — Nova Scotia, NTew Brunswick
south of the Bay of Chaleur, Province of Quebec south of the city of the
same name, and in Ontario to latitude 46°, On the north side of Lake
Huron it is found for only a short distance inland. South Bhore of
Lake Superior and at the eastern and western extremities. It has been
said by one writer to occur on Michipicoten Island, but others familiar
with the island have not observed it.

19. Hemlock, Hemlock-Spruce (Abies Canadensis, Michx.) — East-
ward the northern limit of this species is at the Bay of Chaleur, but it is
scarce near the eastern sea coast of New Brunswick. Very abundant in
the northern part of Nova Scotia. It crosses the St. Lawrence a short
distance below Quebec, extending further down on the north than on
the south side. Thence it readies the north end of LakeTemiscaming
and the eastern extremity of Lake Superior at Agawa, south of the
Michipicoten River. On the south shore of Lake Superior it does not
reach the western extremity, turning southward in the neighborhood
of Ashland. I am informed, however, that there is an outlying grove
of hemlock at Thompson, about twenty-five miles west of Duluth.
This tree maintains a good size to the verge of its range, and always
appears to terminate abruptly. Sir John Richardson states that it
grows on the Kaministiquia River. This, however, appears to be an
error. 1 have never seen it or heard of its occurrence near this
locality.

Ba^swood 2^* BassWOOD, Lindbn, White Wood (Tilia Americana, L.) — Com-

mon in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, except the northern part, not

Hemlock.

Maritime
Provinces

Lake Superior.

IT

having been noticed beyond the southern branches of the Restigouche. (jujf ()f St
The northern limit seems to reach the Gulf sonth of Miscou, from which La,wrenoe'
it runs west to near Quebec, and thence in a pretty direct course to the
eastern shore of Lake Superior. It is wanting around the northern
parts of this lake, but re-appears just south of Thunder Bay, from which
it nearly follows the international boundary to Lake of the Woods.
Here it bends north-west, and almost gains the southern extremity of
Lake Winnipeg, the last trees seen in that direction being at East
Selkirk-, on the Red River, where they are very small. Westward it isRedRiver.
found along the Assiniboine to a short distance above Port Ellice.

21. Beech ( Fagus ferruginea, Ait.) — Throughout Nova Scotia and inBeech
New Brunswick t<> the Hay ofChaleur, except on the coast of the Bay

of Pundy. The northern boundary crosses the St. Lawrence a short Bay of Fundy.
distance below Quebec, and thence runs west to Lake Nipissing and
the outlet of Lake Superior. On the south shore of this lake it occurs Lake Superioi
as tar west as Grand island, but it seems to disappear from the imme-
diate neighborhood of the lake before reaching L'Anse. Sir John
Richardson says this tree occurs on Hed River of Lake Winnipeg. If
so, it must be south of the Canadian line.

22. White Ash (Fraxinus Americana, L.) — Found throughout Nova White agh>
Scotia and in New Brunswick, except the northern part ; also in the
southern parts of Quebec and Ontario, its northward range correspond-
ing nearly with that of the beech. It occurs along the southern, but

not on the northern side of Lake Superior.

23. Iron-wood, Hop Hornbeam — Lever-wood of the Eastern Town- r

Ironwood.

ships (Ostrya Virginica, Willd.) — Nova Scotia and the greater part of
New Brunswick, the northern limit being on the Bay of Chaleur, from
which it runs to near the city of Quebec, and reaches Lake Huron at
the mouth of the French River. It has been seen on the Manitoulin
Islands, but not to the north of Lake Huron. Sir John Richardson men-
tions it as occurring on the Winnipeg and Red Rivers, and I have noticed
it on Lake of the Woods and the lower part of the Assiniboine River.

24. Blue Beech, American Hornbeam (Carpinus Americana, Michx.) BIu ,
— This small tree does not range quite so far north as the last. It has

not been noticed on the north side of Lake Huron, nor anywhere
around Lake Superior.

25. White Oak (Quercus alba, L.) — In the southern parts of Nova„„.

x White oak.

Scotia and New Brunswick, in both of which it is rare. More common

in the southern districts of Quebec and Ontario. A very valuable

timber tree in the Ottawa valley, below the Mattawa, and throughout

south-western Ontario, from botli of which regions large quantities

have hitherto been exported to foreign markets.

2

I

Red cedar.

Former abun
dance near
Kingston.

Prostrate

variety.

Butternut.

18

26, Red Cedar (Jimiperus Virgimana, L.) — The arborescent form of
this species is found in none of the provinces except Ontario. Its
northern limit begins on the Atlantic coast aboul the eastern part of
ilic state of Maine, and runs \Ves1 near the parallel of Latitude 45°,
cro sing the St. Lawrence about mid way between Montreal and Lake
Ontario, and reaching Lake Huron at Parry Sound. In the early days
of the settlement of Upper Canada Large quantities of this wood were
cut in the neighborhood of Kingston and the Bay of Quints, and shipped
out of the country. The prostrate variety (J. hum-Ms, Hook.), is found
in all the provinces, and is common in sandy and gravelly soil in the
North-west prairie country. It also occurs in dry and rocky places
along rivers and lakes in the wooded regions of the Hudson's Bay terri-
tories, as far north as the mouth of the Nelson River.

27. Butternut (JugUms cinerea, L.) — Said to be found in Nova Scotia
on the east side of the Bay of Fundy. Occurs in the southern counties
of New Brunswick, especially King's, and along the St. John River
above Woodstock ; absent from the coast and northern part of this
province; in the St. Lawrence valley, nearly as far down as the city
of Quebec, and along the Ottawa up to the Madawaska, from which the
northern boundary runs to the Georgian Bay. Large trees are found
in a few places in the county of Grey, not far from this Bay.

Bitter hickory. 28. Bitter Hickory (Carya amara, Nutt.) — Ranges over a much
larger area in Canada than the shell-bark hickory, being found around
Montreal, in the Eastern Townships and along the lower part of the
Ottawa valley, and thence westward throughout the southern part of
Ontario to Lake Huron. ,

29. Black Walnut (Juglans nigra, L.) — This tree is confined to the
tract lying south of a line drawn from the head of Lake Ontario to near
the outlet of Lake Huron.

30. Chestnut (Castanea vulgaris, Lam., var. Americana, A. DC.) — In
the district along the north side of Lake Erie, and north-eastward to
the north shore of the head of Lake Ontario.

Black walnut.

Chestnut.

The Geographical Distribution op Trees Occurring in Canada
but not Represented upon the Accompanying Map.

1. Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera, L. — At Niagara Falls and in
some localities westward near Lake Erie.

2. Silver Maple, White Maple (Acer dasycarpum, Ehrh.) — Eastern
Townships and province of Ontario south of latitude 45°. Generally
confounded with the red or soft maple.

3. Striped Maple (Acer Pennsylvanicum, L.) — This small tree,
although everywhere scarce, has much the same range in Canada as the

19

ingar maple, being found from Gaspe to the outlet of Lake Superior ; also
with the sugar maple at Lake St. John.

4. Mountain Maple (Acer spicatum, Lam.) — The mosl northern
species of maple. Ranges from Newfoundland to James1 Bay, and
Eorth-westward to [sland Lake on the waters which reach the sea at
York Factory. The last locality at which it was seen in this direction is
George's Island, in Lake Winnipeg.

5. Hi a.ok Maple (var. Acer nigrum, Michx.) — Identified by the late
Dr. John Bell as occurring at Grenville, on the Ottawa.

6. Soft Maple, Red Maple (Acer rubrum, L. — A common tree
throughout the Maritime Provinces, and in Quebec and Ontario south of
latitude 49°; has a slightly more northern range than the sugar maple.

7. Kentucky Coffee Tree (Gymnocladus Canadensis, Lam.) — Said
to occur in southern Ontario. Professor Winchell informs me that it is
found in the southern part of Minnesota.

8. AVild Plfm (Prunus Americana, Marshall.) — The northern limit
runs from near the city of Quebec to the eastern extremity of Lake
Superior. It occurs on the Rainy and the Red River and the lower
part of the Assiniboine, and at the south end of Lake Manitoba.

9. Pigeon Cherry. Smalt, Red Cherry (Primus Pennsylvania, L.)
— Very widely diffused ; has a high northern range, small examples
extending in most regions nearly to the verge of the timber.

10. Black: Cherry (Primus serotina, Ehrh.) — Formerly a valuable
timber tree in the lower Ottawa region and south-western Ontario;
very tine in the county of Bruce ; now nearlyBexhausted.

11. Mountain Ash, Rowan (Pyrus Americana, Be C.) — Abundant
and of good size in all the Maritime Provinces, Anticosti and Gaspe* ;
thence it extends westward, the northern limit touching James' Bay.
Further west it is found of small size as far west as Island Lake, on the
Shamattawa, and to AVhite Mud Falls, on the Nelson River, seventy or
eighty miles below Lake Winnipeg. This tree, which is of a northern
habit, probably attains its greatest perfection around the Gulf of St.
Lawrence and Lakes Huron and Superior.

12. Scarlet-Fruited Thorn (Crataegus coccinea, L.) — Common in the
southern and central latitudes of Quebec and Ontario, but its northern
limits have not been accurately ascertained. Between Lake Superior
and Manitoba thorn bushes grow as far north as the international
boundary, but not much beyond it. Thorn bushes, apparently belong-
ing to this specie.-, were found by Mr. Cochrane on the Grassberry
River, twenty or thirty miles uorth-west of Pine Island Lake.

13. Cockspur Thorn (Crataegus crus-galli, L.) — Ontario, except the
more northern parts. In Manitoba a thorn which appears to be iden-
tical with this species is abundant.

20

14. Black Thorn (Crataegus tomentosa, L.) — In the southern parts of
Quebec and ( Ontario.

15. Flowering Dog- wood (Com/us floridaj L.) — [n southern Ontario
only. Rfosl common apparently a1 Niagara Falls, and westward to the
valley between Dundas and A.ncaster, bul rarer on the higher grounds.

16. Sour-gum (JVyssa wultijiora, Wang.) — Dr. Eurlberl informs me
that t his tree grows in some parts of southern Ontario. bu1 I have not
observed it myself.

17. Sassafras (Sassafras officinale, Nees.) — From the Niagara River
to Ancaster, near the head of Lake Ontario, and probably other parts
of southern Ontario.

18. Slippery Elm (Ulmusfulva, Michx.) — Southern parts of Quebec.
Along the Ottawa River for 200 miles, above Montreal; small and
rather scarce. In Ontario as far north as Georgian Bay.

19. Eock Elm (Ulmusracemosa, Thomas.) — Eastern Townships, Lower
Ottawa valley and province of Ontario south of latitude 4p*°. Formerly
common, hut most of the finest trees in all these regions have been cut
for export.

20. Buttonwood, American Plane-tree (Plat anus occidentalism L.) —
Around the head of Lake Ontario and in the western peninsula, espe-
cially along rivers such as the Grand, Thames and Saugeen.

21. Shell-bark Hickory (Carya alba, Nutt.) — In the southern part
of Ontario; rather common in some localities. The brown hickory
(C. porcina) and the white-heart hickory (C. tomentosa) are also
believed to occur in the same region.

22. Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor, Willd.) — The white oak of
the low lands in the Ottawa valley and southern Ontario appears to
belong to thie species. Near Dundas I have also seen what 1 took to
be the black oak (Q. tinctoria, Bartram.)

23. White Birch (Betula alba, L.) — This species, which is often
mistaken for the canoe birch, occurs in tin1 Maritime Provinces, and in
Quebec as far west as Montreal, and probably further.

24. Black Birch {Betula lenta, L.) — Often confounded with the
yellow birch. Occurs in both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Iden-
tified in Graspe* and other places in the Province of Quebec, and in
Ontario as far west as the .Manilonlin Islands.

25. Black Alder (Alnus incana, Willd.) — Abundant along streams
everywhere from Newfoundland to the Saskatchewan, and as far north
as the forests extend, but not in the southern parts of Ontario. In the
Hudson's Bay territories it is often called • black willow.'' The green
alder (A. Vlridis) has also been noticed, although not so common as the
black, from Newfoundland to Lake Winnipeg, and northward to the
verge of the forests around Hudson's Bay.

21

26. WlLLOWS. — The willows have not been identified with sufficient
specific accuracy in the various regions in which the aborescent forms
cm i or to map the geographical range of the different species.

1:7. I ak'.k toothed PoPLAB (Populus grandidentata, Michx.) — Of a
southern habit compared with the aspen. Its northward range is
Bomewhere between that of the sugar maple and the white pine.
Abundant in Xew Brunswick and Gasped It does not extend west as
far afi Manitoba.

28. Cotton-wood (Populus monilifera, Ait.) — Large trees occur along
the Assiniboine River.

29. Phius contort a (Dougl.) — Western part of the North-west Terri-
tories.

30. Pitch Pine (P. rigida. Mill.) — In some places in the Ottawa
valley, and at the Thousand Islands on the St. Lawrence.

31. Engblmann's Spruce (Abies Engelmanni, Parry.) — This tree,
which is known to extend as far east as the Black Hills of Dakota, is
said to occur also on the upper waters of the South Saskatchewan.