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A.D.Webster

Presented to the

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
LIBRARY

by the

ONTARIO LEGISLATIVE
LIBRARY

1980

EDWARD BAKER

It A Ifl lOilM HRIiill T Si H

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HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES

r' . < .

ardy ' Coniferous 1 re^*^

BEING A CONCISE DESCRIPTION OF EACH SPECIES AND ^^^
VARIETY, WITH THE MOST RECENTLY APPROVED ^

NOMENCLA TURE, LISTS OF S YNONYMS, AND V^^

BEST METHODS OF CULTIVATION

211S0 Cbapter6 on

The Commercial Aspect of Conifers;^' ''Quality of British-grown Coniferous
Timbers ;" " Conifers for various Soils a7id Situations ;'^ " Conifers
of Different Characteristics f ''Propagating Conifers;''^
'■'Enemies of Coniferce ;'' 6fc. b'c. &c.

^PuV^^jft

BY

A. D. WEBSTER

AUTHOR OF

Practical Forestry;" "Hardy Ornamental Flowering Trees and Shrubs;"
"British Orchids;" &c. &c.

EARTH SCIENCES
LIBRARY

LONDON

HUTCHINSON & CO.

34 PATERNOSTER ROW, E.G.
1896

Printed by Cowan &» Co., Limited, Perth.

PREFACE

3>»SC

The following notes on Coniferous Trees, which have
been compiled as opportunity offered during the past
twenty-two years, are taken in the main from speci-
mens cultivated at Penrhyn Castle, Woburn Abbey,
and other places of which the writer has been in
charge. To the owners of several well-known Pineta
and nurseries throughout the country and on the
Continent, I am indebted for specimens and informa-
tion regarding some of the rarer species and varieties.

Numerous articles, monographs, and essays on
Hardy Conifers have, at various times, been contri-
buted by the author to The Garden, The Gardeners
Chronicle, and " Transactions of the Royal Scottish
Arboricultural Society," and from which Professor
Hansen in " The Pinetum Danicum," Nisbet in the
last edition of ** Brown's Forester," Ravenscroft in
" The Pinetum Britannicum," and other writers, have
done me the honour of quoting. Condensed notes
from some of these papers are included in the present
work.

As regards general nomenclature, I have followed
the now almost universally adopted plan of Bentham

VI PREFACE.

and Hooker, while the synopsis of tribes and genera
and lists of synonyms are mainly from Masters' " List
of Conifers and Taxads."

The generally accepted names of both species and
varieties have received special prominence, and are
printed in conspicuous type, while the lists of synonyms
have been made as inclusive as possible, owing to many
of these being still in common use.

In order to facilitate reference, the arrangement of
both genera and species is alphabetical throughout the
work.

This book being mainly intended as a cheap, handy,
and exhaustive popular guide to Hardy Conifers as
cultivated in this country, the descriptions are neces-
sarily brief but nevertheless comprehensive ; while, as
far as is consistent with a full and clear explanation
of each species, technical terms have been avoided.

A. D. W.

BOXMOOR,

Herts,
November, 1896.

CONTENTS

PREFACE.
• CHAPTER I.
Hardy Coniferous Trees,
classification — description— cultivation.

Natural Order Comfer<s.
I. CYPRESS TRIBE ( CupressinecB ) ,

Including— Juniperus, Cupressus, Fitzroya, Libocedrus, Thuya.
H. TAXODiUM TRIBE (Taxodiex).

Including — Athrotaxis, Cryptomeria, Sciadopitys, Sequoia, Taxodium.

III. FIR TRIBE (Abieiinece).

Including — Abies, Cedrus, Larix, Picea, Pinus, Pseudolarix, Pseudo-
tsuga, Tsuga, Keteleeria.

IV. ARAUCARIA TRIBE (Araucarzece).

Including — Araucaria, Cunninghamia.

Natural Order Taxacece,

I. SALISBURIA TRIBE (Salisburiece).

Including — Ginkgo, Cephalotaxus, Torreya.

II. YEW TRIBE (Taxea).

Including — Taxus, Dacrydium.

III. PODOCARPUS TRIBE ( PodocarpecB ) .

Including — Podocarpus, Prumnopitys, Saxegoths.

CHAPTER II.

Propagating Conifers.

From seed— from cuttings— by grafting— by layering— table of weights of coniferous
tree seeds.

CHAPTER III.

Conifers and Soils.

For chalky or calcareous— for gravelly and sandy— for peaty— for clayey.

vii

viii CONTENTS.

CHAPTER IV.

Conifers for Various Positions.

For avenues — for the seaside — for exposed situations— for smoky localities — for
confined spaces — for hedge purposes.

CHAPTER V.
Conifers of Different Characteristics.

Weeping conifers — fastigiate conifers — variegated conifers — conifers of low,
spreading habit — pigmy conifers.

CHAPTER VI.
Conifers for Economic Planting.

CHAPTER VII.
The Quality of British-grown Coniferous Timbers.

CHAPTER VIII.
Commercial Aspect of Conifers.

Timber — tar — pitch — turpentine — resin — balsams — spirits — paper — tannin
matter — pulp — edible conifer seeds.

CHAPTER IX.

Enemies of Coniferous Trees.

(i) Insects. — Pine beetle — pine weevil — pine sawfly — pine shoot moths — larch
miner — bostrichus typographus — larch aphis — sprucegall aphis —
pissodes notata — giant sirex — wire worms.

(2) Animals. — Hare and rabbit — squirrel — rat — mouse — vole.

(3) Birds. — Blackgame— crossbill — bullfinch— capercaillie.

(4) Diseases of Conifers.

CHAPTER X.
Variability of Coniferous Trees.

INDEX.

HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

CHAPTER I.

CLASSIFICATION AND DESCRIPTION.

Natural Order CONIFER.E.

The conifers (cone-bearers), one of the most important
families of the vegetable kingdom, are for the most part ever-
green, resin-bearing trees or shrubs. They belong to the
Gymnosperms, or naked seeded plants, the ovule being naked
on the face of the ovary. The male and female flowers are
separate, either on the same tree or on different trees.
Stamens in catkin-like masses; female flowers in cones.
Seed furnished with a hard, crustaceous covering. Wood
resinous, with the ligneous tissue marked with circular discs.
This order may, for convenience, be subdivided as follows : —

I.— Cypress Tribe
{CUPRESSINEyE).

1. JUNIPERUS.

2. CUPRBSSUS. 4. LIBOCBDRUS.

3. FITZROYA. 5. THUYA.

II. — Taxodium Tribe
{TAXO.DIEyE).

6. ATHROTAXIS.

7. ORYPTOMERIA. 9. SBQUOIA.

8. SCIADOPITYS. 10. TAXODIUM.

HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

III.— Fir Tribe
{ABIETINE^y

11. ABIES.

12. CEDRUS. 16. PSEUDOLARIX.

13. LARIX. 17. PSEUDOTSUGA.

14. PICEA. 18. TSUGA.

15. PINUS. 19. KETELEERIA.

IV.— Araucaria Tribe

{ARA UCARIEyE),

20. ARAUCARIA. 21. CUNNINGHAMIA.

Natural Order TAXACEiE.

With one exception (Ginkgo), these are evergreen trees or
shrubs. Flowers unisexual, mostly axillary and dioecious.
Male flowers in catkins ; females naked, solitary, or rarely in
twos. Fruit more or less drupaceous, the seed coat being
either dry or eventually fleshy. This order may be sub-
divided as follows : —

I.— Salisburia Tribe
{SALISBURIE^),

22. GINKGO.
23. CEPHALOTAXUS. 24. TORRBYA.

II.— Yew Tribe

{TAXE^),

25. TAXUS. 26. DACRYDIUM.

III.— PoDOCARPUS Tribe.
{PODOCARPE^y

27. PODOCARPUS.
28. PRUMNOPITYS. 29. SAXEGOTHEA

GENUS ABIES. 3

ABIES (Linnaeus).
THE SILVER FIRS.

Pre-Linnean botanists distinguished the genera Picea and
Abies, placing the spruce in the former and the silver fir in the
latter genus. Linnaeus, however, reversed the terms, and the
confusion in botanical nomenclature has continued to the
present time. In accordance with the universally adopted
plan of Bentham and Hooker, the silver firs are here in-
cluded under Abies, and the spruces under Picea.

Flowers monoecious ; male catkins scattered, axillary or
terminal.

Cones erect, cylindrical or nearly so, maturing the first year.

Scales deciduous, falling off when ripe from the persistent
cone-axil.

Bracts free from the scales except at their base, and
longer or shorter than these.

Seeds somewhat triangular, with a large usually wedge-
shaped inseparable wing.

Cotyledons leafy, entire, flat, and from four to eight in
number.

Leaves flat, solitary, more or less in two rows, silvery below,
leaving a circular indentation on the branch when they fall.

Abies ainabEliS, Forbes. Red Fir. {Synonyms: —
Pinus amabilis, Douglas ; P. grandis, Lambert ; Picea
amabilis, Loudon ; Abies grandis, Murray ; A, grandis
densiflora, Engelmann ; A. magnifica of some gardens.)
Fraser River Valley to Oregon. 1831. — This handsome
tree is by no means common in the British Isles,
probably owing to the confusion which until recently
existed respecting the identity and nomenclature of this and
others of the North American firs. As an ornamental
tree it is second to no other conifer, the easily-arranged
semi-decumbent branches with the flattish shoots given off

4 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

nearly at right angles, and great wealth of intense bluish-green
fragrant foliage, rendering it as unique as it is beautiful. The
leaves, which are nearly of equal length, and about an inch long,
are densely clustered on the upper side of the branches. They
are of a dark, glossy green above, and with two broad glaucous
lines beneath. The cones are very beautiful, being of a rich,
deep purple, 4J inches long by about half that in width;
while the broadly bell-shaped scales arc nearly double the
length of the abruptly pointed bracts. The pretty pinky
male catkins are quite a feature of the tree in spring. ,From
the nearly allied but perfectly distinct A.grandiSyit may at
once be distinguished by the more crowded, darker and
usually shorter foliage, and particularly by the deep purple
cones. When planted in suitable soil (the finest specimens
I have seen are growing in reclaimed peat bog on an estate
in the North of Ireland^), this tree is of rapid growth, one
specimen in particular, growing under very favourable con-
ditions, having for several consecutive years made an upward
growth of fifteen inches.

A. ba,lsamea., Miller. Balsam Fir. {Synonyms: — Pinus
baisa7?ieay Lihnaeus ; Picea balsamea, Loudon.) Canada and
North-East United States. 1697. — In a young state and
when grown under favourable conditions, this is by no means
an inelegant species, but before the age of twenty years the
lower branches have usually given way, and, in consequence,
the tree wears a scraggy and bare appearance. Unfortun-
ately, too, it has the tendency to form early growths, which
are not unfrequently destroyed by frost. It is of medium
height, and slender growth, with flat regularly arranged leaves,
about \\ inches in length, and purplish or violet cones, each

1 As I will often have occasion to refer to the trees on the Churchill estate, in
the County Armagh, Ireland, I may here take the opportunity of mentioning that
the c ^llection is unique in its way, comprising, as it does, unusually large specimens
of many of the rarer and less known conifers. The various species of Cephalo-
taxiis, Torreya^ Athrotaxis^ and the Fitzroya^ all revel in the peaty soil and
humid atmosphere of this part of Ireland ; while many of the rarer species of
Pinus and Abies have attained to unusual dimensions. Here the first cones
of the true A. viagnifica were produced ; also those oi A. nobilisy the latter being
sold at a guinea each.

GENUS ABIES. 5

about 2^ inches long, by fully i inch in diameter, the bracts
varying much, both in shape and length. The rate of growth
is slow in this country, although instances have been recorded
in which fully i foot has annually been added to the height
for nearly fifty years ; and a specimen in Haddingtonshire,
when swept away by the great flood in the Tyne, in 1891, was
nearly 70 feet high, and contained fully 140 feet of timber.
It succeeds best in damp, rich soils, and when the atmosphere
is comparatively still, and charged with moisture. The well-
known Canada balsam is the resin which exudes from the
bark of this tree.

A. baSsamea hudsonica is a dwarf and sterile form
found at high elevations, but is of no particular interest as an
ornamental shrub.

A. brachyphylla, Maximowicz. Short-leaved Japanese
Fir. {Synonyms: — Finns brachyphylla, Parlatore; Picea brachy-
phylla,Goxdon\ Abies Veitchii dixxd Picea Veitchii, Hort; Abies
homolepis, Lindley.) Saghalien and Japan. 1 870. — This is well
worthy of attention, being of free growth, highly ornamental,
and perfectly hardy. It is handsome in habit, having regular
whorls of somewhat rigid, horizontally placed branches, with
densely arranged small leaves that are deep green above and
intensely silvery beneath. The purplish cones are cylindrical,
3-J inches long by \\ inches wide, and smooth, by reason
of the non-protruding scale bracts. The stem grows stout
and straight, and when the tree is planted in light, dampish
soil and a sheltered site, the upward rate of growth is from
18 inches to 24 inches per year. There cannot be a doubt
that in the present species we have a highly ornamental tree
and one that will yet turn out of value for forest planting,
and every year it seems to improve and become a greater
favourite with lovers of hardy conifers. The largest tree I
have seen is growing at Claremont, in Surrey. It was planted
by H.R.H. Princess Beatrice, on 7th April, 1883, and is now
considerably over 25 feet in height, the branches covering a
spread of fully 18 feet in diameter.

A. bracteata, Nuttall. Bristle Cone Fir. {Synonyms: —

6 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

Pinus vcuusta, Douglas ; P. bracteata, Don ; Picea bracieata^
Loudon; Abies vcnusta, Sargent.) California. 1853. — Too
much can hardly be said in favour of this comparatively rare
tree, for, with its long and thick deep green leaves, somewhat
erect habit and pleasant contour, it is beyond doubt one of
the handsomest of the many conifers with which California
has enriched our empire. Even the cones are so distinct from
those of any other species that recognition of the tree by
these alone is by no means difficult. In this country the
lower branches of the tree have a somewhat decumbent habit
of growth, while those farther up are horizontal or ascending.
The leaves are of a distinct and beautiful dark green colour,
and average about 2 inches in length, while the cones are
3 inches long, with the bracts developed into 2-inch long,
leaf-like, linear spines. The largest, best furnished, and
healthiest specimens that I have seen are growing in soil that
is largely composed of peat, or to which a quantity of rich
sandy loam was added at time of planting. After becoming
established, the upward rate of growth is fairly rapid, the
annual addition to the height of the specimens referred to for
five consecutive years averaging 13I inches.

A. cephalonica,^ Loudon. Mount Enos Fir. {Syjio-
nyms: — A. Apollinis, Link; A.panacJiaica, Heldreich; A.rcgince^
AmalicB, Heldreich ; Pinus Abies cephalonica, Parlatore; Picea
cephalonica^ Loudon.) Cephalonia. 1824. — This handsome
fir is well adapted for general use in our country, and whether
planted singly on the lawn, for which its well-furnished stem
and wide spread of branches render it peculiarly suitable, or
mixed with other trees in the woodland, it is at all times a
pleasing object, and well worthy the attention of planters.
Unfortunately, in certain soils, and when planted in unsuitable
situations, young trees are apt to suffer from late spring
frosts. This, however, should be no drawback to its ex-
tended use, as by a proper selection of soil and site, success
in the cultivation of this tree is by no means difficult, and

* For a full account of this tree, with measurements of the original specimens at
Blairadam, in Scotland, raised from seed sent home by General Napier, in 1824,
see my article in The Garden^ vol. xxviii., 1885.

GENUS ABIES. 7

already specimens from 70 feet to 80 feet high are plentiful
in various parts of the country. As a forest tree this species
is also likely to attract attention, its behaviour when sub-
jected to close order of growth being highly commendable,
and which, coupled with its rapidity of growth and value of
timber produced, show that it may be used as a forest tree
with at least fair prospects of a profitable result. A stiffish
soil, such as a good clayey loam, and a northern or western
aspect, will be found most suitable for this species, as these
considerably retard early growth, the great evil to which the
tree is susceptible in our clime. As an ornamental conifer
this tree is of considerable importance, the long and lithe
branches being well clothed with dark, olive-green foliage,
while the whole contour is remarkably distinct and pleasing.
Usually the lower branches have a wide spread in proportion
to the height of the trunk, and are retained in a perfectly
healthy condition when the tree is growing in the open. They
are thickly covered with stiff, dagger-shaped leaves, each an
inch in length, that terminate in sharply-pointed prickles.
The cylindrical cones are from 5 inches to 6 inches long,
about I J inches in diameter, and with the bracts exceeding
the scales in length. Resin exudes freely from the surface of the
cones when these are arriving at maturity. Timber of home-
grown trees, which I have used experimentally for several
purposes, appears to be of good quality, and very durable, and
the results tend to prove that when of mature age the wood
will be of value for outdoor purposes. It is very resinous
and firmly packed.

Under favourable conditions the rate of growth of the tree
is about 10 inches per year, three specimens of fifty years
growth which I measured were, on an average, 38 feet high
each, thus showing an annual increase in height of 9 inches
since they were planted.

A hybrid between this species and A. Pinsapo has been
raised by Mons. H. Vilmorin. It resembles A. cephalonica
more than A, Pinsapo in habit and general appearance,
while the cones showing distinctly the points of the bracts

8 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

are likewise more in keeping with those of that species.
Though otherwise an interesting cross, the hybrid boasts no
striking distinction as an ornamental tree.

A. Cilicica, Carriere. {Syftonym: — Pinus cilicica,V^.x\2,-
tore.) Cilician Taurus. — Though not generally hardy in this
country, yet the appearance of specimens that I have seen in
widely different localities, causes the tree to be included here.
It is much after the style of the common silver fir, but both
branches and foliage are more slender and usually less plenti-
fully produced. The leaves vary in length, according to their
position on the branches, being shortest above, and largest
and usually curved on the under sides. Not generally to be
recommended.

A. COncolor, Lindley and Gordon. Colorado White
Fir. {Synonyms: — Pimis concolor, Parlatore; Picea concolor
Murray ; P. lasiocarpa^ of gardens.) Colorado, Utah, and Ari-
zona. 185 1. — Although much confusion has existed between
this and other allied species, yet the present conifer is easily
distinguished by the irregular leaf arrangement, and by the
upper and under sides of these being nearly the same colour
— hence the specific name concolor^ of similar or like colour.
The leaves vary according to position from 2 to 2 J inches in
length, are of a greyish-white hue, changing as they grow old
to a soft, pale green. The cones, which are usually produced
singly, are about 4 inches long, and the seeds larger and
weightier than those of the nearly allied A. grandis.

As an ornamental tree, the present species must be con-
sidered as a decided acquisition, the general outline being
symmetrical, but without the accompanying stiffness which so
readily distinguishes several members of this family. The
spread of branches in young and healthy trees being wide
in proportion to the height, warns intending planters that
sufficient space should be given for perfect development. In
fairly exposed situations it would seem to thrive best, and,
considering that on low-lying ground it has suffered from
frost in spring, the elevated positions are to be recommended.

A. concoflor violacea.— The dense bluish-green glau-

GENUS ABIES. 9

cescence with which the leaves of this variety are covered
renders it one of the most distinct and pleasing of ornamental
conifers. It is quite hardy, free of growth, and deserves to be
widely known and appreciated.

A. firma, Siebold and Zuccarinl. {Synonyms: — Pimts
firma, Antoine ; Abies holophylla, Maximowicz ; A. bifiday
Siebold and Zuccarini ; A. homolepis^ Siebold and Zuccarini.)
Japan. 1861. — For the great variability of its foliage this tree
is remarkable, and to which fact may be attributed the list
of synonyms with which it is encumbered. The somewhat
stiff, deep, glossy green foliage and partially erect habit of
growth, as seen in the few specimens that are to be found in
this country, renders the tree of some value for ornamental
planting. The leaves range from under to considerably over
an inch in length, some being flat and given off at right angles
to the shoot, while others are short and up-curved. The
cones are cylindrical, about 5 inches long, with imbricated
scales and upward-pointing bracts, which terminate in sharp
angular points.

It seems to be grateful for shelter from cold draughts of
wind, and evidently thrives best in light, rich loam. In the
younger stages of growth the leaves are oft distinctly cleft at
the tips, hence the name bifida^ but with age this gradually
gives way.

A. Fraseri, Lindley. {Synonyms: — Picea Fraseri, Lou-
don ; Pinus Fraseri, Parlatore.) Mountains of Carolina and
Pennsylvania. 181 1. — This tree has little to recommend it,
whether for ornament or utility, when planted in these islands.
It bears considerable resemblance to A. balsamea, and is in
consequence often confounded with that species ; but, in the
absence of fruit, which is a speedy method of recognition, the
structure of the leaves will always determine the difference.
The more slender and upright growth, and smaller dark green,
thickly-arranged leaves, are also differences that might be
well pointed out in connection with the present species and
A. balsamea. The cones are oval in shape, with conspicuous
reflexed bracts. This is the tree which caused the mountains

10 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

on which it is found to be designated the Black Mountains,
giving, as it does, the sombre hue for which they are justly
remarkable. In this country the tree succeeds well on peaty
soils, especially where a small quantity of loam has been added
previous to planting. Rarely, however, is it a satisfactory
species unless in the juvenile state.

A. g^randis, Lindley. Tall Silver Fir. {Synonyms: —
Pinus grandis, Douglas ; Picea grandis, Loudon.) Van-
couver's Island to California, near the coast; western slopes of
Rocky Mountains. 1 831. — This is a truly handsome conifer,
and one that is well adapted for ornamental planting, the
soft rich green foliage, densely branched stem, and symmetri-
cal habit, being recommendations that are rarely so well
combined in one species. The branches of A. grandis are
usually arranged in flat, horizontal tiers, with the tips slightly
upturned, and are, more particularly the branchlets, glabrous,
and of a light, pleasing green. The leaves are of unequal length,
arranged on the lower branches in double, and those near the
top in treble, rows, the lower series of leaves being longer
than the upper, or from \\ inches to fully 2 inches in
length. They are usually bifid at the ends, but this I have
noticed is more particularly the case in the foliage of the
branches near the top of the tree, channelled above, and with
two silvery lines beneath. The cones are bronzy-green, 4
inches long by i^ inches in diameter, almost cylindrical, usu-
ally in pairs,^ and seated close to the stem, or, in other
words, devoid of foot-stalks. The cone bracts are entirely
hidden by the overlapping scales. The bark is smooth, and
of a dull green when young, but becomes dark grey and
rough when the tree has advanced in age, and filled with
receptacles of clear, highly fragrant resin. The timber pro-
duced in this country is of excellent quality, being weighty,
resinous, and the concentric rings firmly packed. The largest
specimen which I have had cut down was, exclusive of the

* This is, however, not always the case, as I have noticed the cones in clusters
of from five to seven in number. An excellent drawing of a cluster of five cones,
from specimens sent by me from Penrhyn Castle to the editor of the Gardener's
Chronicle^ will be found in the Linnean Societies^ Journal ^ vol. xxii.

GENUS ABIES. 11

broken top, 72 feet in height, measured 26 inches in diameter
at the butt end, and contained 73 feet of timber.

On measuring some of the annual rings near the bark, I
found them to average fully i inch in thickness, which
speaks highly of the tree as a rapid timber producer. When
felled and stripped of its branches, the balsamic fragrance,
from the quantity of resin the tree contained, was perceptible
for a considerable distance — further than I have ever noticed
even with the Douglas fir — and the circumstance was com-
mented upon amongst the woodmen employed in removing it.

The average upward rate of growth of A. grandis in this
country is 17 inches, while the quantity of timber produced in
fifty years by the large specimen just referred to gave an
annual average of nearly i^- cube feet. When cut into
boarding, the wood resembled in appearance that of the
common silver fir, but was perhaps darker, of greater specific
gravity, and of firmer texture.

It works well, and takes a good polish ; but from the rapid
rate of growth, the graining is rough, though perfect in de-
lineation. When compared with foreign timber from British
Columbia at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition, that pro-
duced in this country revealed but small differences, and
nothing more than might be expected between that of a par-
tially developed and a mature tree. Taking into considera-
tion the quantity and quality of wood produced by A. grandis^
as also its highly ornamental appearance and undoubted
hardihood, it must be placed in the first rank for extensive
planting in this country. It grows well on poor soils, the
largest specimens in this country having been planted in
rather light gravelly loam. For a full illustrated account of
the tree, see my article in The Garden^ vol. xxviii., 1885.

A- lasiocarpa, Hooker. {Synonyms : — A. {Piced)
bifolia, Murray; A. subalpina, Engelmann.) Alaska, British
Columbia, Oregon to Colorado. — This tree bears some resem-
blance to the better known A. balsamea, but it is of larger
growth, with thin, whitish, smooth bark, which becomes
cracked and ashy grey with the advance of years. Leaves

12 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

notched on sterile, and pointed on fertile branches, in
many rows, and with two glaucous bands on the under sides.
The cones are from 2 inches to 3J inches long, by i inch to
I J inches diameter, with the scales rounded or almost square,
and the bracts remarkably short and quite concealed from view.
This species does very well when planted in cool, rather
moist soil ; indeed, the finest specimens I have seen are
growing in loamy peat. Great diversity of opinion has
existed as to the specific limits of ^. lasiocarpa^ A. Loiuiann, and
A. concolor. After careful and lengthened observations of
living specimens cultivated in this country, I have come to
the conclusion that for garden purposes, at least the extreme
forms of each should receive specific identity.

A- Lowia,na^ Murray. {^Synonyms : — Pzcea Lozvtana,
Gordon ; A dies lasiocarpa^ hort. ; A. Parsonsiana^ hort. ; A. con-
coloVy Veitch ; A. coticolor lasiocarpa, Beissner ; A. grandis
Loiviana^ Masters.) Western slopes of the Sierra Nevadas,
North California, Oregon. 1851. — A handsome and, in this
countr}^, fast growing species, that is readily distinguished by
its light and airy appearance, as well as comparatively long
leaves, these frequently reaching 3 inches in length. They
are generally of a pale glaucous tint, and so thinly arranged
as to expose the shoots. The cones are oblong-cylindrical,
and from 3 inches to 5 inches long, with crescent-shaped scales
and minute bracts. Undoubtedly this is one of the most
beautiful of the Californian firs, and when seen under favour-
able conditions in this country, with its long and peculiarly
incurved foliage, which is silvery-green beneath, and regularity
of branch arrangement, combined with its wonderful vigour
and perfect hardihood, it may well rank with the choicest of
ornamental conifers,

A. magrnifica^ Murray. Stately Silver Fir. {Syno-
nyms:— A. campylocarpa, Murray ; Picea magnifica, Gordon.)
North California. 185 1. — Though rather stiff of growth, yet
when seen under the most favourable conditions, this is truly
a beautiful and magnificent tree. The branches are horizon-
tally arranged, with dense foliage, crowded more above than

GENUS ABIES. 13

below, each leaf being about i| inches long, glaucous olive-
green above, and marked with two silvery lines on the under
side. The cones are cylindrical, 5 to 7 inches long, by from
2 to 3 inches in diameter, the scale edges incurved, and the
protruding bracts terminating in a tail-like appendage. In
its younger stages, the whole tree wears a whitish silvery
appearance, as if coated with hoar frost ; but this beautiful
colouring is most noticeable when the specimens are growing
under unusually favourable conditions. As an ornamental
tree, the present species is of great value, while the growth is
rapid, one specimen of which I kept a record having attained
to the height of 25 feet in a little over twelve years. It
thrives vigorously in reclaimed peat-bog ; but it also does
well in rich loam, as is evident from the growth of the tree at
Woburn Abbey.^

A. Mariesii, Masters. Mountains of Japan. 1879.—
This is likely to turn out a useful conifer for ornamental
planting. It is remarkable in that the foliage resembles some
of the Tsugas, while the large purple cones, often 5 inches long
and cylindrical in shape, decide it to be a true Abies. The
leaves are only | of an inch long, many being much shorter,
for the most part erect, and evenly disposed around the stem,
and of a dull green colour. Being quite hardy in this country,
it is to be hoped that it will soon get widely disseminated, while
it grows with a fair amount of freedom, and in soils of ordinary
quality.

A. nobilis, Lindley. Noble Silver Fir. (^Synonyms: —
Pinus nobilis, Douglas ; Picea 7iobilis, Loudon.) Oregon and
California. 1831. — This tree is one of the hardiest and hand-
somest of the group, and is probably more common than any
other of the recently introduced species. Amongst the silver
firs it is certainly the most conspicuous and beautiful, the

1 The once famous collection of coniferous trees in Woburn Park, and from
which specimens for the compilation of The Finetum Woburense were mainly
obtained, is now almost a thing of the past. Many of the finest trees have either
been killed outright, or are sadly crippled and disfigured by the encroachment of
stronger growing species. At one or two points in the evergreens, but particu'
larly in the flower garden, are still a few rare and beautiful specimens.

14 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

deep silvery glaucous foliage, regularly and neatly disposed
branches, and not too stiff outline, being points of special
interest and recommendation. The leaves are crowded on
the upper sides of the branches, varying in length from i to
i^ inches, rigid, obtusely pointed, and with two glaucous bands
beneath. The cones are very handsome and conspicuous,
being often 6 inches long, perfectly cylindrical, obtuse at both
ends, and with conspicuously recurved bracts. Few trees
are less particular about the quality of soil in which they
are planted than that in question, but it certainly prefers
that of not too light nor too dry description. It grows
rapidly, the average annual increase in height of several
specimens that I measured being 20 inches for a period
of twenty -five years. The production of wood is like-
wise rapid, as will be learnt from the following : — A tree of
this kind was planted in good loamy soil and a moderately
sheltered situation in 1854, it at that time being a robust
growing specimen of 3 feet in height. In 1884, or thirty
years afterwards, it had attained to a height of 55 feet, when
it was found to contain 61 cube feet of wood, this giving an
average annual increase of fully 2 feet per year. The quality
of home-grown timber is not such as to be recommended, it
being soft, easily worked, and clean of graining, and from this
I do not consider that the tree will be of any special value for
afforesting purposes.

A. nobilis g^lauca. — Though not of constant character
as regards foliage colouring, yet, in certain specimens the
glaucous tint is so well pronounced and distinct as to merit
the attention it has received. It is equally robust with the
species.

A. Nordmanniana, Spach. Nordmann's Silver Fir.
{Syno7tym : — Picea Nordinamiiana^ Loudon.) Crimea, Cau-
casus. 1848. — This must be considered as one of the finest and
most valuable of the European or Asiatic species of silver fir.
As a park and lawn tree, it can scarcely be surpassed, the
regular and handsome outline, rich glossy green foliage, and
stately habit, rendering it a decided acquisition for ornamental

GENUS ABIES. 15

planting. The branches are rigid and horizontal, the deep
glossy green leaves about an inch long, and the cones ovoid
and nearly 6 inches long. The timber produced in this
country is, judging from many specimens that I have had
the opportunity of examining, of excellent quality, being
hard, close-grained, and lasting. The tree succeeds well in
every part of the country, and has an advantage over the
common silver fir that, owing to starting into growth later
in spring, it is less apt to be injured by unseasonable frosts.
Few trees, too, are less particular as to soil, it succeeding
well in reclaimed peat bog, stiff loam, decomposed vegetable
matter, and that of a chalky or limestone formation. In
warm, sandy, or gravelly soils, it is apt to suffer from the
attacks of a species of Aphis. As a forest tree, it is certainly
well worthy of attention.^

A. n u m i d i ca, D e Lan n oy. ( Synonym : — A . Pinsapo
baborensis, Cosson.) Algerian Mountains. 1861. — As yet, this
species is by no means common in the British Isles, but from
its^ undoubted hardihood and pleasing green foliage is sure
to receive attention. It is of neat, rather pyramidal habit,
with sub-erect branches, and short, crowded leaves, each
about I inch long, and rich deep green above, with two
faintly-marked silvery lines beneath. Being of free and bold
growth, succeeding well even in poor gravelly soils, where many
of its fellows refuse to grow, and perfectly hardy, this tree is
to be recommended for general use throughout Britain. In
order to show off the neat habit of growth, an open though not
too exposed site is to be recommended.

A- pectinata, De Candolle. Common Silver Fir.
{Synonyms: — Abies alba^ Miller; A. vulgaris^ Poiret ; A.
Ptcea, 'Llndley ; A. excelsa, Salisbury; A. taxifolia, Desfon-
taines ; Picea pectinata^ Loudon ; Pinus pectinata, Lamarck ;
Pinus Abies, Duroi ; Pinus Picea, Linnaeus.) Central and
Southern Europe. Sixteenth century. — As an ornamental
tree this is only of secondary importance ; but for the great

^ A monograph on Nordmann's silver fir, by the present writer, will be found in
the " Transactions of the Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society," vol. ix., 1879.

16 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

quantity of fairly valuable timber produced, it is well
worthy of attention, although its merits in this particular
have been rather overrated. Both branches and branchlets
stand out horizontally, the deep green leaves, which are two-
rowed on the juvenile, but pectinate on the adult specimens,
are marked by two distinct silvery white lines beneath. They
vary on the same twig from f to fully i^ inches in length.
The cones are cylindrical, usually about 6 inches long by fully
1} inches in diameter. The timber is of fair quality, and well
adapted for rough outdoor carpentry. It is elastic, somewhat
irregular in graining, soft, apt to shrink, and decays speedily on
exposure. For temporary buildings, tool-sheds, and cattle
shelters of a rather temporary nature, it is to be recommended.
In connection with sluices and dams, it is an excellent timber,
while for lining the banks of streams and rivers, to prevent
the sides being washed away, I have found it to be peculiarly
suitable. The tree itself will grow well beneath the shade
and drip of others, produces a large quantity of timber, and
is not over-exacting as to the quality of soil in which it is
planted.

A. pectinata fastig^iata. The Upright Silver Fir.-—
This is a very distinct form, the branches of which have a
decided upright inclination, with the branchlets, particularly
the tips, falling backwards. It varies a good deal, however,
and specimens quite unworthy of the name, though departing
considerably from the normal form, are in cultivation. In
the best fastigiate variety, the leaves differ considerably from
the species, being smaller, more slender, and slightly up-
curved.

A. Pinsapo, Boissier. Spanish Silver Fir. {Synonym: —
P icea Pinsapo, l^oudon.) Southern Spain. 1839. — The short
and prickly foliage, extreme density and rigidity, combined
with compact growth and a unique appearance, at once dis-
tinguish this from all other silver firs. When favourably
situated, few trees are more ornamental and effective ; but to
see it in its beauty it must be planted singly, or sufficiently
ar apart from others so that the branches may have room for

!. .'■ '^^^"^ 17

GENUS ABIES.

full development. It is most attractive during late spring or
early summer, for then the young growths make a striking
contrast with the older foliage, the whole forming a regular
and compact cone of the finest colour. There is also a stately
and dignified air about this tree that one cannot help admir-
ing, and which is further enhanced by the regularly whorled
branches, as well as the brightly-tinted rigid leaves, which are
short, sharp, and thickly arranged all round and at right
angles to the stem, and numerous beautiful purplish-green,
ovate-cylindrical cones, which stand well out and are often
fully 5 inches long. The latter constitute a striking feature
of the tree. In so far as the economic value of the timber is
concerned, it might be pointed out that on comparison with
that of the silver fir, it is harder, closer grained, and better
suited for the finer constructive works.

Under favourable conditions, the rate of growth annually of
A. Pinsapo for fully twenty years was about 14 inches, while
in one case, at least, I have known it to produce 30 feet of
timber in a like number of years. F'or planting on chalky
ground, this tree is certainly an acquisition, and at High Elms,^
Sir John Lubbock's Kentish property, where are some of the
largest and healthiest trees of its kind in the country, I have
oft been struck by its rapid rate of growth, and that, too,
where only a small quantity of loam overlies the chalk. It
is perfectly hardy, and succeeds well when planted on ex-
posed ground.

A. Pinsapo Hamondii, of which there is a fine speci-
men near Hemel Hempstead, in Herts, is a curious form,
giving one the idea of having been beheaded, and the branches,
in consequence, much lengthened and supple. It forms a
dense mass of foliage, of the same colour as the parent, but
the leaves are individually smaller. As a lawn bush when
planted on the green sward, it is both interesting and beautiful.

A. Pinsapo varie^ata. — From the yellowish-green

* At High Elms several species of Abies and otlier coniferous trees have
attained to noble dimensions. Sir John Lubbock tells me that the choice of trees,
selection of sites and planting, were carried out under the supervision of Loudon.

B

18 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

tint of the branch tips, this variety is somewhat interesting,
but it can hardly be considered an acquisition.

A. rclig^iosa, Schlechtendal. {Synonyms: — Picea re-
ligiosa, Murray ; Abies Jiirtella, Lindley.) Mountains of
Mexico and Guatemala. 1838. — This species has not proved
generally hardy, though in Ireland and Southern England,
particularly near the sea, fair specimens are to be occasionally
met with. It is a tall tree with dark glossy green leaves, each
about i\ inches long, and pretty deep-blue cones, about 5
inches in length, and half that in diameter, and with the whitish
bracts more or less protruding, the acuminate points being
reflexed. Specimens over 70 feet high may be seen in the
south of Ireland.

A. sachalinensis, Masters. Saghah'en Fir. {Syno-
nym : — A, Vdtchii sachalinensis, Schmidt.) Sachalin,
Jesso. 1879. — From what little is known of this species it
would seem to be an undoubted acquisition, and though nearly
allied to the better known A. Veitchii, yet the foliage has a
certain resemblance to that of A. sibirica. The small blunt-
pointed leaves are crowded spirally around the stem, and are
about I inch in length ; while the cones are 3 inches long by i
inch in diameter, with projecting and reflexed bracts. It has
proved quite hardy in this country.

A. sibirica., Ledebour. {Synonyms : A. Pichta, Forbes;
Picea Pichta, Loudon.) Northern and Eastern Russia. —
This cannot be called a desirable tree for planting in these
isles, it usually wearing a shabby, starved appearance, being
thin of foliage and the branch tips cut back and arrested by
cold winds and frost. The leaves are dark green above and
silvery beneath ; but the whole aspect of the tree greatly
reminds one of a stunted specimen of the common silver fir.
The best specimens in this country are growing in stiff,
dampish, clayey loam, on the northern side of a sharply
rising hill.

A. Veitchiii Lindley. {Synonyms: — Picea Veitchii ;
Pinus selcnolcpis, Parlatore ; Abies nephrolepis, Maximowicz.)
Mountains of Japan. 1879. — This is a tree of neat and spiral

GENUS ABIES. 19

growth, and is so far the most rapid grower of the Japanese
species. In several ways it is a very desirable conifer, the
small grass-green foliage, with two silvery lines on the
under sides, and well-branched trunk, rendering it very dis-
tinct and pleasing. The tree is usually slender in outline,
the branches short and irregularly disposed, and the leaves,
some of which are bifid at the tips, fully three-fourths of an
inch long. The cones, which have been produced in this
country, are about 3 inches in length, oval-shaped, and with the
acuminate bracts projecting beyond and bent downwards over
the scales. It has been found perfectly hardy in several parts
of the country, and is truly an Alpine species of rare beauty,
and that is yet destined to an exalted place in our parks and
woods. Specimens planted under favourable conditions have
attained to a height of 10 feet in ten years, the branch spread
being fully as much as the height.

A. Webbiana, Lindley. Webb's Silver Fir. {Syno-
nyms:— Picea Webbiana, Loudon; Abies chiloensis of gardens.)
Eastern Himalayas. 1822. — This is one of the handsomest
denizens of the Himalayan forests ; but, unfortunately, it is
not well suited for the climate of this country, being what is
usually termed "spring tender." By careful choice of soil
and situation, many fine specimens have, however, been reared,
principally in seaside parts of the country, and these have
amply rewarded the trouble taken to suit their particular
wants by their stately grandeur and distinct appearance. The
leaves are deep glossy green above, with two broad and very
conspicuous silvery bands beneath, very variable in size and
arrangement, usually bifid, and about 2 inches long. The cones
before becoming ripe, and when they have attained to full
size, are highly ornamental, and remarkably weighty, from the
great quantity of resin they contain. They are about 7 inches
long, of a deep purple colour, and generally several occur on
the same branch; indeed, what with their number and weight,
I have more than once seen large branches broken from off the
trees. So strikingly different in general appearance is this tree
that no mistake can ever occur in confusing it with any other

20 HARDY CONiFEROtJS TREES.

species. Where it does well, the growth is long and stout,
but too frequently the tips of the branches are bitten by frost
in early spring, and when this has occurred several times the
tree wears a by no means pleasing appearance. Usually the
tree does well and escapes frost-bite when planted in cold
and stiffish soil and facing north or east ; but the finest speci-
men I have seen, and from which these notes were compiled,
was growing in damp alluvial deposit and within sea in-
fluence.^ It had attained to a height of 58 feet in thirty-two
years, and contained fully 37 feet of timber. On several
occasions I have examined home-grown timber of the tree in
question, but it was soft, and did not last long when used out
of doors.

A. Webbiana Pindrow. (^Synonyms: — Picea Pin-
^r^tx', Royle; Pinus PindroWy'Roy\Q\ PzceaPz/idrozu, "Loudon.)
Eastern Himalayas. — This cannot be included as a perfectly
hardy tree, for even in warm situations by the sea coast it not
unfrequently wears anything but a robust and healthy ap-
pearance. The stem is tall and straight, with short, spreading
branches, and leaves that are very variable both in size and
arrangement. In adult trees the leaves are arranged in two
rows, and are from 24 to 2J inches long, while on young
specimens they are thickly and regularly disposed on all the
branches, and about i inch long. They are usually bifid,
blackish-green above, and with two greyish-white lines be-
neath. Cones usually oval, 4I inches long by 2h inches
diameter, and for the greater part produced singly on the
three top tiers of branches. They are, when of full size, of a
deep purple colour, and highly ornamental to the tree.

The leading shoot, which is frequently I4 inches in diameter,
readily yields to finger pressure, and is welted or thickly
covered with longitudinally arranged raised surfaces like
whipcord. The buds are remarkably large and prominent,

* Both this species and the variety have attained to large dimensions at Penrhyn
Castle, North Wales. The collection of coniferous trees in the park at Penrhyn
is particularly rich, including large specimens of Cunniii^hamia sinensis^ Ccpha-
lotaxus pedunculata fdstigiala, as well as many of the rarer species of AbUs^ Pieea^
and Pinus.

GENUS ARAUCARIA. 21

oval in form, resinous and scaly. In the younger stages of
growth this tree presents an unusually stiff, sturdy, and un-
yielding habit of growth. By careful choice of soil and site,
the latter in particular, spring tenderness may to a great
extent be obviated, the conditions being that a northern or
eastern aspect be chosen, also a cool, late soil and fairly
sheltered situation. A full account of this variety, with
illustrations, by myself, will be found in The Garden, vol.
XXX., 1886.

ARAUCARIA (Jussieu).

Flowers usually dioecious.^

Cones large, globular, or ovoid ; females cylindrical.

Scales spiral, deciduous, united with the bracts.

Seeds, one to each scale, inverted, and more or less attached
to the scales.

Leaves spirally arranged, closely imbricated, and widest at
the base.

The Araucaria differs from the true pines and firs in
having the sexes usually on different trees, in the cone scales
being one-seeded, and the seed more or less attached to the
scales.

Araucaria imbricata, Pavon. Chili Pine. Southern
Chili. 1796. — Though of somewhat stiff outline, there is
something remarkably pleasing and distinct about a well-
grown and well-furnished specimen of this Araucaria. Un-
fortunately, however, the opinion entertained regarding the
value of the tree for general planting in this country years
ago does not hold good to-day, and a great change in its cul-
ture has in consequence been brought about. In the younger
stages of growth, the Araucaria is no doubt one of the most
distinct of all coniferous trees, but with the advances of age, it
usually begins to show signs of decay, the lower branches

1 The Araucaria is not always dioecious as stated by some writers. At Cudliam
Hall, in Kent, the property of the Earl of Derby, I have seen large numbers of
both male and female cones produced on the same tree.

22 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

dying off one by one, when the whole tree presents a very
unsightly appearance. The branches are somewhat drooping,
with upturned tips, the ovate lanceolate leaves stiff, leathery,
and sharply pointed, each about i inch long, by half that in
width, and bright green in colour. Seed-bearing cones
spherical, or nearly so, and 7 inches in diameter, while the
thickly arranged, bract-like appendages, each an inch long
and standing erect, impart to these a curious hedgehog-like
appearance. The male cones are cylindrical, fully 3 inches
long, by half that in diameter, and usually produced in quantity.
They frequently remain wholly or in part intact for several
years.

ATHROTAXIS (Don).

Flowers monoecious, occasionally dioecious, solitary ; males
in terminal spikes.

Cones globular, with the scales spirally arranged.

SeedSy from three to six under each scale, free, pendulous,
and winged.

Leaves spiral, without petioles, scale formed.

Evergreen trees of small growth, natives of Tasmania, and
remarkable for the jointed appearance of the shoots.

Athrotaxiscupressoides, Don. Tasmania. — When
seen growing under favourable conditions, this is a neat and
very distinct small-growing conifer, with thick and spirally
arranged coriaceous leaves, which are of an intense glossy
green colour. It delights in a cool and quiet situation ; and
the finest specimens I have seen were growing on a dampish
mossy bank in a forest break. It is a species that is well
worthy of culture, and should be included in every selection
of coniferous plants.

A. laxifolia, Hooker. {Synonyms: — Athrotaxis Doni-
ana, hort.) Tasmania. — To a great extent this resembles the
latter species, but the foliage is less thickly arranged, or not
so closely appressed, longer and pointed, and the tree is of

GENUS CEDRUS. 23

slower growth, this being particularly noticeable when the
plants are growing side by side, and under exactly similar
conditions. The cones are terminal sub-globose, J of an inch
in diameter, and composed of about sixteen spirally arranged
scales, and roundish, deeply winged seeds. This is a neat
little tree, of slow growth, and remarkable for the bright and
cheery tint of the foliage. It has attained to a height of 15
feet in Southern England.

A- selag-inoicSes, Don. Tasmania. (About 1847).—
This is the hardiest, best known, and most accommodating
of the species. From the others it may readily be dis-
tinguished by its twiggy growth, flat, scale-like leaves, which
are closely appressed to the branches, and grass-green colour.
The cones are globular, and about | of an inch in diameter.
This species does remarkably well in peat-bog, and the largest
specimen I have seen was growing in the open portion of a
larch wood, and amongst loamy peat, rather damp, and where
sunshine rarely gained admission. Growing under favourable
conditions, this specimen attained to a height of 12 feet in
fifteen years.

CEDRUS (Loudon).

THE CEDARS.

Flowers monoecious, stamens in catkins.

Co7ies oval, flattened at the ends, erect, smooth, on the
upper sides of the branches.

Scales overlapping, closely placed, rounded on the outer
margin.

Seeds in twos under each scale, furnished with a persistent
membranaceous wing.

Cotyledons leafy, mostly nine in number.

Leaves scattered, or tufted, needle-shaped, stiff, and
persistent.

Large growing evergreen trees, with the leaves either
arranged singly on long shoots or in bundles on short spurs.

24 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

Ccdrus atlantica, Manettf. {Synonyms: — Ahies at-
lantica, Lindley and Gordon ; Pinus cedrns atlantica, Parlatore ;
Cedrus africana^ Gordon.) Algeria. 1841. — In a young
state particularly this is hardly recognisable from the better
known C. Liba7ii, although after a few years' growth its erect
habit and rigid branches are sufficient means of identification.
As an ornamental tree, it cannot compare with the Lebanon
cedar, although as a forest tree it may be preferable, produc-
ing more valuable timber, and having less inclination to
ramify into stout and unwieldy branches. For the latter
reason alone it is valuable, for while the branches of the
Lebanon cedar suffer much from wind and snow, those of
C. atlantica remain unharmed, their less length and weight, as
also upward inclination, freeing them from injury.

In exposed situations, and where the soil is naturally stiff,
the Mount Atlas cedar makes a sturdy growth, and for this
reason it is now much sought after for planting on bleak and
exposed park grounds. Little is yet known regarding the
value of the timber as produced in this country, too short time
having elapsed since the introduction of the tree for this to
have approached maturity. That it is superior to wood of the
Lebanon cedar in trees of equal age I am, however, convinced,
and there can be little doubt that in years to come, when
maturity has been nearly attained, it will be found of
some value for constructive purposes. Generally throughout
this country it does well, and specimens fully 70 feet high are
now to be seen. Rarely if ever does the African cedar throw
weight into the branches, it being far more inclined to rush
up straight, and expend its energy in the building up of a
clean and well-balanced stem. The branches, too, are short
and lithe in comparison with those of the Lebanon tree, and
well covered with shorter and more spiny foliage. The cones
are ovate and depressed at the ends, nearly 3 inches long, and
when ripe are of a chocolate-brown colour. It grows more
rapidly than the Lebanon, and is destitute of the flat or table-
headed appearance that is so characteristic a feature of that
tree. Owing to its having a small branch spread in propor-

GEJSUS CEDRUS. 25

tion to the height, it is also more valuable as a forest tree
than that species, grows on poorer and more exposed land,
and is an excellent seaside tree.

The general points of recognition of the Mount Atlas
cedar are the comparatively short and less flat branch
arrangement, the thick, short, and prickly leaves, and erect
leading shoot, while the branch tips are straight and stiff.

C- atiantica g^lauca. — This is one of the most dis-
tinct and ornamental of hardy conifers ; indeed, it is a gem
that arrests the attention of everyone. Little or no difference,
except in foliage tint, is discernible between the glaucous
African cedar and the typical or parent plant as usually seen,
for the same rigid and irregular mode of growth is notice-
able in both species and variety. The foliage colouring is,
however, both distinct and remarkable, the deep grass or blue-
green of the normal tree giving place to a most enticing
silvery hue in the glaucous variety, and which renders it as
distinct and pretty a conifer as could well be desired. The
branches are sturdy and stiff pointed, of various lengths at
the same height, and rounded rather than flat. Two of the
largest specimens I have seen are growing on the estate of
High Elms, Sir John Lubbock's property. These trees are as
stately as they are beautiful, being nearly 50 feet in height
each, and regularly clothed with foliage, which at a short
distance away has more the appearance of burnished silver
than anything else I can recall to mind. Cones have been
produced, and these, when fully developed, but before becom-
ing ripe, are of an intense bluish-green colour.

C- Deodara, Loudon. Indian Cedar. {Synonyms: —
Pimis Deodara, Roxburgh; Abies Deodara, Lindley ; Larix
Deodara, Koch ; Cedrus Indica, Chambr ; C. Libani Deodara,
Hooker.) Himalayas. 1 831. — This tree stands almost un-
rivalled in the grandeur of its lithe and beautifully pendulous
branches ; indeed, it is open to question whether a more dis-
tinct and graceful hardy conifer has yet found its way into
this country. Few trees are more accommodating as to soil
than the present species, but it is not well adapted for cold

26 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

and exposed sites. In a young state the Indian cedar is
rendered highly ornamental by reason of the decidedly pen-
dulous leader and gracefully drooping branch-tips, abundantly
supplied with glaucous green foliage of the richest and most
delicate description. The male or pollen cones, which are
from 2 to 3 inches long and standing erect, are produced in
such quantity that they are quite a feature of the tree ; while
the seed-bearing cones are cylindrical, 3 to 4 inches long, and
depressed at both ends. They are usually produced on the
upper sides of the stout top branches. The rate of growth
is rapid, 70 feet in height having been attained by specimens
in England in fifty years. Timber produced in this country
is fine grained, but soft, and not at all durable.

C. Deodara crassifolia is altogether a less orna-
mental tree than the species, the thick short branches being
pendulous at the tips to only a very small extent. The leaves
are short and stout when compared with those of the parent.

C- Deodara robusta. — In the best forms of this
variety the growth is stout and long, and the foliage more
distinctly silvery than in the species. There seems, however,
to be many worthless forms in cultivation under the name.

C. Deodara viridis has the foliage of a rich and deep
green, more resembling that of C. ailajitica, and seems quite
constant in character.

C. Libani, Loudon. Lebanon Cedar. {Synonyms: —
Pinus Cedncs, Linnaeus ; Larix Cedriis, Miller ; Abies Cedms,
Foiret ; Larix patiiluy Salisbury ; Cedrus patula^ Koch.)
Syrian Mountains, Cyprus. About 1666. — With its massive
and well clothed trunk, far-spreading and flatly pendulous
branches, and deep glaucous green foliage, this is beyond
doubt one of the grandest and most majestic as well as
distinct and easily recognised of all trees. When wanted as
a purely ornamental specimen, the Lebanon cedar must have
plenty of room for perfect development of root and branch,
as when crowded with other trees in the forest the appear-
ance is miserable, from the dying back of the branches and
branch tips. The branches arc usually arranged horizont-

GENUS CEDRUS. 27

ally, and are quite flat, generally in distinct tiers, but some-
times scattered irregularly over the trunk, and long in
proportion to the height of the tree ; while the foliage is
deep grass green, thickly set, each leaf i inch long, and
sharply pointed.

Cones are abundantly produced, each being 4 inches long
by about half that in diameter. The timber, though not much
in demand in this country, is excellent in quality, and stands
the changes from damp to drought in rather a commendable
manner. This, however, is dwelt on at length in the chapter
devoted to the timbers of coniferous trees.

C. Libani arg^entea is certainly a distinct and de-
sirable variety, with foliage of silvery whiteness ; but several
specimens that I have examined under this name should really
be assigned to the glaucous form of the Mount Atlas cedar.

C. Libani brevifoiia has shorter leaves than the
species, but in my opinion it is a decidedly inferior tree in
point of ornament.

C. Libani decidua is one of the most interesting and
remarkable of the many varieties of the tree. Though the
whole of the foliage is not shed at the same time, still,
sufficient is to warrant the use of the name deciduous, and
some curious errors have been made by supposing the tree to
be dying off, or in a bad state of health. The largest specimen
I have seen is growing on Lord Derby's property in Kent,
and where for many years I have noticed the late autumn
shedding of the foliage, curiously bare appearance of the tree
in winter, and shooting forth of the young leaves in spring.
Further than the annual casting of the leaves, I could detect
no difference between the species and variety either in the
male or female cones, or in the length or colour of foliage ;
generally, however, the leaves are shorter, and the cones
sparsely produced, when compared with the ordinary run of
Lebanon cedars. The specimen referred to was in perfect
health, and about 65 feet high.

C. Libani nana. — This is of very dwarf growth, speci-
mens upwards of twenty years old being only 4 feet in height,

28 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

and about the same in branch spread, obtusely cone-shaped,
and abundantly supplied with dark green foliage. The
flattened, horizontally arranged branches readily reconcile it
with the species, the only difference being that these are so
thickly produced one above the other that the hand cannot
be passed between any two, this giving the plant a dense,
somewhat stiff appearance, that is further augmented by the
almost uniform length of the branches. There is no per-
ceptible difference in the foliage from that of the species ;
perhaps generally the leaves are shorter, and decidedly
sharper, and average between J of an inch and i inch in
length.

This must be considered as a real dwarf form, and as it is
of neat growth, and with foliage of a pleasing dark bluish-
green tint, its propagation and dissemination is more to be
desired than is that of many so-called pigmy conifers.

Growing in grounds near Hemel Hempstead, in Herts, are
good examples of this dwarf and interesting cedar.

C. Liba.ni pendula. — Considering how very distinct and
beautiful this variety is, one can only wonder that it is not
more common. The branches are gracefully pendent, and
the drooping tips hang over each other in the easiest possible
manner. A fine old tree, bearing cones in abundance, may
be seen in the village of Dulwich.

CEPHALOTAXUS (Siebold et Zuccarini).

Flowers dioecious, in globular heads.

Fruit several, drupaceous.

Seed solitary, almond-like, with no true aril, enclosed in the
fleshy cup.

Leaves linear, alternate, in two rows.

Evergreen trees or shrubs, with the leaves arranged alter-
nately in two rows. Natives of China or Japan.

Cephalotaxus drupacea, Siebold ct Zuccarini.
Plum-fruited Cephalotaxus. Japan. — This is here seen as a

GDNUS CEPHALOT^AXUS. 29

low shrub, of rather irregular growth, with flattened, horizon-
tally arranged branches, and short, stiff branchlets. The
leaves, which are arranged in two opposite rows on the upper
sides of the branches, are, particularly towards the branch
tips, upturned, or so nearly erect that they form a triangular-
shaped trough. Towards the branch extremities the leaves
are ij inches long, about half that nearer the stem, distinctly
keeled, and of a deep green above, and with two broad silvery
bands on the under side. For nearly the entire length they
are J of an inch wide, and abruptly pointed. The damson-
like fruit, produced usually in threes on the under sides of the
branches, are ovoid in shape, but much narrowed at the base,
about 1-4- inches long, by | of an inch in greatest diameter, and
placed on short, stout footstalks. Each berry contains a soli-
tary, hard-shelled, nut-like seed, about f of an inch long, enclos-
ing an almond-like kernel. The smell emitted by the fruit
when bruised is highly offensive, resembling that of dubbin.
Although quite hardy in most parts of the country, yet the
finest specimens I have seen were in Southern England and
Ireland. The situation should not be draughty, or too ex-
posed, and the soil about equal parts of loam and peat or leaf
soil. As an ornamental species, the present shrub is well
worthy of culture, the by no means stiff habit of growth and
plentifully produced deep green leaves, often greenish-yellow
at the tips, with the curious purplish, plum-like fruit, render-
ing well-grown specimens both distinct and interesting.

C. Fort wnei, W.Hooker. Fortune's Cephalotaxus. North
China. 1849. — For general planting this would seem to be a
more desirable species than the latter ; at least it succeeds at a
greater number of stations in this country. The comparatively
long and slender branches are horizontally arranged, and rather
sparsely supplied with long, acute-pointed leaves, that are
bright and glossy green above and silvery beneath. They
are about 3 inches long, almost fleshy, and arranged in two
opposite rows. The fruit is elliptic in shape, tapering to both
ends, i| inches long by | of an inch in greatest diameter, and
produced usually singly, but occasionally in twos and threes.

30 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

In light, peaty soil, where shelter is provided, it forms a neat
ornamental and highly interesting specimen, and is worthy of
greatly extended culture.

C. pedunculata, Siebold et Zuccarlni. (Syno-
nyin: — Taxiis Harringtonia, Knight.) Japan. 1837. — This
is a distinct and free-growing species of small and rather
spreading growth, the branches being for the greater part
whorled, and the branches flattened and horizontal. Leaves
about 2 inches long and \ of an inch wide, distichously ar-
ranged, bright green on the upper, and with two distinct
glaucous lines on the under sides.

The fruit is oval in shape, and usually three in a cluster,
each being i J inches long, by fully J of an inch in greatest
diameter, and produced on a footstalk about f of an inch in
length.

C. peduncu lata fast igfiata.^ — This distinct and well-
marked variety resembles in growth the upright yew, the
branches being perfectly erect and the foliage somewhat
spirally arranged. Usually, however, some of the branches,
particularly those near the ground, have the horizontal growth
of the species, while upwards they are strictly fastigiate. The
largest specimen in this country is at Penrhyn Castle, and
which I had transplanted from the home nursery to a favour-
able site some years ago. In this specimen the peculiarity of
growth is particularly noticeable, for at 3 feet and 5 feet from
the ground several branches are growing in a perfectly
horizontal manner, or almost at right angles to the main
stem, while both above and below these the branches are
strictly fastigiate. The leaves on the horizontal branches are
distichously arranged, or in two opposite rows, while those on
other parts of the tree are irregularly scattered, or nearly
spiral by their closeness along the shoots. As this Cephalo-
taxus is little known, the following description of the dis-
tinguishing characteristics may be useful : — In habit and
foliage it nearly approaches the Irish yew, but the branches

^ For a full account of this interesting shrub, see article by the present writer in
The Gardcity wA. xxx., 18S6.

GENtJS CRYPTOMERIA. 31

are rarely so erect and adpressed, nor the leaves of such a
deep green as in those of that tree, while it rarely rises
to more than 8 feet in height. The leaves are bluntly fal-
cata, or more usually sabre-shaped, less than 2 inches long,
by I of an inch broad, thick and fleshy, and for the greater
part furnished with short footstalks. Above they are of a
deep glossy green, with a distinctly raised narrow midrib,
while beneath two rather indistinct silvery bands run along
their full length. Both branches and branchlets have a
peculiar channelled or tuberculated appearance, caused by the
long decurrent base of the leaves, these, in most instances,
reaching -o- an inch in length, and are persistent after the
removal of the foliage.

C- pedunculata sphasralis, Masters.— This differs
principally in the fruit being almost circular or spherical in
shape, instead of oval as in the species. They are produced
freely on a goodly-sized specimen growing on the Churchill
estate, North Ireland, far more freely than is the case with the
species alongside which it is planted. The fruit is clustered,
sometimes upwards of a dozen together, each berry being fully
f of an inch in diameter, and containing an oval-shaped seed.
The habit is more open than that of the species, and the
foliage usually shorter. From Wiston Park, Steyning, I have
received fruiting specimens of this variety.

CRYPTOMERIA (Don).

THE JAPAN CEDARS.

Flowers monoecious; males in axillary spikes; females
solitary, spherical and terminal.

Cones globular, prickly when ripe.

Scales palmately divided at the edge, wedge-shaped and
loose.

Seeds four or five under each scale, with a slight membranous
wing.

Cotyledons flat, leafy, from two to four, but mostly in threes.

32 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

Leaves linear, alternate (often heteromorphic), sickle-shaped,
usually in five rows.

Large growing evergreen trees, natives of China or Japan.
In some of the varieties the primordial leaves are retained
for an indefinite period of time.

Cryptomeria japonica,^ Don. {Synonyms:— Cnpres-
sus japojiica, Linnaeus ; Taxodinni japonicnm, Brongn ; Cryp-
tomeria Fortiinei, Koch). Shanghai. 1845. — Delighting and
thriving most luxuriantly in cool, damp soils, the humid atmo-
sphere of the British Isles is peculiarly suitable for the successful
culture of this handsome and hardy conifer. Cold, draughty,
and exposed situations it, however, cannot bear ; so that in
planting this fact should be borne in mind, while at the same
time few coniferous trees can surpass the present species for
thriving where the soil is stiff or cold and in a sunless situation.
When seen under favourable conditions, the Japan cedar is a
tall, portly tree, of somewhat broadly conical shape, with a
clean, straight stem, horizontally spreading branches, often
slightly drooping with upcurved tips, the lateral ones
divided into numerous frondose branchlets, thickly covered
with dark bluish-green foliage. The rigid leaves are fully
\ an inch long, incurved or awl-shaped, slightly quadrangu-
lar, appressed to the stem, and indistinctly marked with two
glaucous lines underneath. Both male and female cones are
abundantly produced, the latter being almost globular,
about f of an inch in diameter, usually singly and erect,
with the scales serrated at the edges, so that the fully
developed cone is rough and prickly. Quite a feature of the
tree arc the male catkins, which grow thickly in axillary spikes
in the leaf axils, usually towards the branch extremities. A
peculiarity of the cones is that in some instances the axes
elongate and produce foliage leaves at their apices, thus
imitating in a marked degree those of CunningJianiia
sinensis and several species of Picea. When favourably

* For a full description of Ciyptomeria Japonica, sec article Ly myself in The
Journal 0/ Forestry ^ vol. xi., 1886.

GENUS CRYPTOMERIA. 33

situated, the rate of growth is rapid, one specimen that I
measured having reached the height of 74 feet in forty-two
years. Home-grown timber of this tree is very light in pro-
portion to the bulk, and bears a marked resemblance to that
produced in its native country. It is white, or rather in-
clined to yellowish-white, soft, easily indented, and pleasantly
perfumed.

C- japonica araucarioides.— This is a small grow-
ing and neat habited shrub with short, regularly arranged leaves,
and slender almost undivided branches. The foliage being
thickly arranged, causes the plant to have a dense, massive
character, while the colour in healthy specimens is a dark
bluish-green. From dried specimens of C. japonica Lycopo-
dioides (Carriere) that have been sent me, I am inclined to
believe that the two varieties are identical.

C- japonica elegrans. — This differs greatly both in
habit and appearance from the species, and produces cones
very sparsely, these, however, being indistinguishable from
those of the species. It is, unquestionably, one of the most
desirable and beautiful of hardy conifers, the remarkable
change in colour from the bright green of the warm season to
the bronzy-crimson of the winter and early spring months,
combined with the elegant outline and perfect hardihood,
placing this variety in the front rank of useful and ornamental
trees of medium proportions. It stands exposure better than
the species, and like that tree, will grow on cold, stiff soils
where only a limited number of conifers could subsist. In a
young state it is apt to form several leading shoots, and
sometimes ungainly side branches, which should be removed
by timely and well-directed pruning. The cones are | of
an inch long ; and the leaves, in which the primordial shape is
retained for an indefinite period, rather longer than the cones,
flattish, velvety in texture, and abundantly produced.

C. japonica eiegrans nana.— This should not be
confused with the dwarf form of the species, which is also
known under the varietal name of nana^ the present plant
retaining its coppery tint during the winter and early spring

c

34 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

months. It is of small growth, thickly branched and foliaged,
the branchlets being shortly pendulous.

C. japonica Lobbi. — Compared with the species,
this forms a tree of narrower and more compact outline, the
leaves also being of a brighter and more vivid green colour.
It is equally vigorous with the species, and in this country
has attained to stately dimensions, with a straight, well-
formed trunk, that is furnished throughout with bushy, thickly
foliaged branches, the spread of which is usually less than
one-third of the height.

C, Japonica Sanders! i, which originated in Cork, is
of dense habit, with very distinct foliage.

C- japonica spiralis.— Though quite distinct and
noteworthy, this cannot be described as an ornamental variety.
The branches are lithe and weak, irregular as to length and
arrangement, and having short, closely-appressed leaves of a
dull green colour, and so thickly and shortly set as to appear
in a spiral manner throughout the entire length.

CUNNINGHAMIA (Brown).

Flowers moncecious.

Cones globular or ovoid ; sometimes with the axis elongated
into a leafy shoot.

Scales without bracts, acute-pointed.

SeedSy three under each scale, winged, pendulous.

Leaves lanceolate, flat.

Cotyledons^ two.

A medium sized evergreen tree from China, nearly allied to
Araucaria.

Cunning^hamia sinensis,^ Brown. {Synonyms:—
Belis jaculifoliay Salisbury ; Pinus laiiceolata, Lambert.)
Southern China. 1804. — This tree is of too tender constitution
for the climate of Britain generally, still in certain favoured
localities, particularly within the influence of the sea, it does

1 For a full account of Ciinninghamia sinensis^ see my arlicle in The Garden^
vol. xxix., page 173, 1 886.

GENUS CUNNINGHAMIA. 35

very well, and forms a handsome specimen, which, for distinct
appearance and beauty of foliage, has few equals amongst
coniferous trees. In no other conifer with which I am ac-
quainted is there so diverse an appearance of foliage, the
pleasant pale green of the younger foliage affording a striking
contrast to the deep, almost yew-green of the older leaves.

As an ornamental tree of very unusual appearance, the
Cunninghamia should find a well-chosen spot in every collec-
tion, for although somewhat tender in unfavourable districts,
yet in many places it has stood perfectly unharmed through
our most severe winters, when other so-called hardy conifers
were badly injured by the frost. The branches are horizon-
tally arranged, rather tortuous, and covered with smooth, dark
brown bark, as in a young Sequoia.

The leaves are various in colour, the oldest being brownish-
green, while those produced during the past five years are of
all shades, from dark green to the lightest and freshest of pea-
green, with two distinct silvery lines above, and two rather
indistinct lighter coloured bands on each side of the prominent
midrib beneath. They are lance-shaped, ij inches long
and slightly serrated on the edges. The cones are terminal,
sub-erect, 1 1 to ih inches long, and usually borne singly, and
about three on each branchlet. They are formed of about
thirty-six imbricated, persistent scales, with three seeds
beneath each, the whole cone thus containing about one
hundred seeds. A peculiarity of the cones of this tree, and
which. Sir Joseph Hooker tells me, sometimes occurs in
spruces, is that after being fully formed, the axis continues
to elongate, and produces leaves which are in no way different
from the ordinary foliage. Stranger still, but this has not
been noticed in any other conifer, the elongated portion
throws out buds and produces twigs in the usual manner, the
cone gradually disappearing when, after the third year, no
trace of it can be detected, and the branch has elongated to
6 or perhaps 8 inches. This conifer throws up suckers from
the base of the stem. The finest specimen I have seen, and
from which these notes were compiled, is growing in the

S6 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

flower garden at Penrhyn Castle, North Wales, and has
attained to the noble height of nearly 50 feet. At Clare-
mont, in Surrey, I have also seen a well-developed specimen.
The timber is clean, firm, and of a desirable mahogany
colour, and polishes nicely.^ Sandy loam, with a free ad-
mixture of decayed vegetable matter, suits the Cunninghamia
well.

OUPRESSUS (Linn^us)

{Including Retinispora and ChamcRcy parts).

THE CYPRESSES.

Flowers monoecious ; males spiked, cylindrical ; females
rounded.

Cones woody, globular, or oblong, and with numerous seeds
to each scale. They vary from \ to nearly 2 inches in
diameter.

Scales peltate, from six to ten, terminating in a more or less
curved point.

Seeds numerous, winged, inserted on the upper interior sur-
face of the scales.

Cotyledons leafy, mostly in twos.

Leaves scale-like, closely imbricated, never in two ranks,
but generally four-rowed.

Branches irregularly arranged along the stem.

Buds not scaly.

After a careful and lengthened study of the genera Retini-
spora and Chamcecyparis, under almost every phase of cultiva-
tion in this country, I have here included both under Cupres-
sus, the general habit, foliage, and fruit clearly pointing out
that they have no claim to separate generic positions, and are
more nearly allied to this than any other genus.

1 At the Surveyors' Institution, London, a large slab of home-grown timber of
the Cunninghamia, which I sent there in 1S95, shows well the quality and
graining of the wood.

GENUS CUPRESSUS. 37

Cupressus arizonica, Greene. Arizona Cypress.
California, Arizona, New Mexico. 1891. — This recently intro-
duced conifer is of bushy, compact habit, with wide-spreading
branches, and closely imbricated foliage. The cones are
nearly spherical, with a small umbo to each scale. The
handsome form and colour and the neat disposition of its
foliage will gain for this species many admirers once it
becomes better known. It has been referred to C. Benthami,
a tree of very uncertain identification.

C. funebris, Endlicher. {Synonyms: — C. pendula,
Staunton ; C. amcena, Karl Koch.) China, Sikkim. 1846. —
This is unfortunately a conifer that cannot be depended on in
point of hardihood for indiscriminate planting in any but the
more favoured and maritime parts of the British Isles. It is
remarkable in presenting striking changes in its aspect during
the various stages of growth, and at the same time needle-like
leaves resembling those of some forms of the so-called Re-
tinispora, and scale-like, closely appressed foliage may be
found on the same tree. When young it is usually of com-
pact and upward growth, but with advancing years it becomes
gradually gracefully drooping. On young trees the leaves
are distant, linear, and decidedly glaucous, whereas in older
specimens they are oval, and closely imbricated usually in
four rows, or both forms may occur at the older stages. The
cones are spherical and half an inch in diameter.

C. Gove ni an a, Gordon. {Synonyms: — C. calif ornica^
Carriere ; C, cornuta?) California. 1846. — When seen in a
flourishing condition, which, however, is rarely the case in
this country, this is a pretty and interesting conifer, and par-
ticularly during the early spring months when laden with
pollen catkins. It usually presents a bushy and dense habit
of growth, with upright spreading branches, and is somewhat
after the style of a dwarfed globose specimen of the better
known C. macrocarpa. The fragrant leaves are small, scale-
like, and bright green, closely arranged, broad at the base, and
pointed. Cones prettily tinted, dark brownish, streaked with
lighter colour, and furnished with four horn-like projections at

38 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

the scale tips, each about ^ an inch in length. The plant,
distributed under the name of C. cornuta, is identical with the
present species. Rarely does C. Goveniana attain to a
greater height than 20 feet, although a specimen growing in
the pleasure grounds at Churchill, in the North of Ireland,
is nearer 30 feet high.

C. Goveniana g'lauca appears to be rare in cultivation,
but for ornamental purposes it is even superior to the parent.
It has a hoary and glossy blue tinge of foliage, not unlike
what we are accustomed to see in the best form oi Jimiperus
Sabina t an lai'isci folia.

C. Lawsoniana, Murray. Lawson's Cypress. (^Syno-
nyms : — Chavicecyparis Lawsoniana^ Sargent ; C. Boitrsieri,
Carriere.) North California (Shasta), Oregon. 1854. — A
thoroughly hardy, free-growing, and beautiful tree, and one
that combines the useful with the ornamental in a high de-
gree. It has been planted largely in every part of the British
Isles, and in soils and situations that are widely different, yet
it is rare to find a diseased or unhealthy specimen.

As an ornamental tree it is, perhaps, superfluous to say
one word in favour of this cypress, its qualities in this par-
ticular being well known and justly appreciated. We may,
however, refer to its cheerful and desirable shade of green,
and to the gracefully recurved and feathery-like foliage, neither
of which is surpassed by any other conifer. It is of columnar
habit, but not formal in outline, as it is relieved by the droop-
ing spray and elastic leading shoot, the latter being just
sufficiently tilted to one side to impart a pleasing finish to
the tree. The branchlets are slender and flattened, the
decurrent leaves arranged thickly in alternate opposite pairs,
while the usually solitary roundly-compressed cones are about
the size of peas, each composed of seven scales and about
nineteen seeds. The male catkins are bright red, and very
conspicuous. The timber is of a pleasing yellow colour,
remarkably close of grain, and takes a nice smooth polish. It
has been used for panelling and furniture with good results, but
out of doors it has not proved so lasting. The rate of growth

GENUS CUPRESSUS. 30

is somewhat rapid, several specimens of which I have kept a
record having attained the height of 43 feet in twenty-seven
years. It may be of interest to state that I have seen self-
sown plants of the Lawson cypress along the margins of
woodlands in Northern Ireland.

C. LavtfSOniana alba spica is not a very desirable
variety, though perhaps less unhealthy in appearance than
other patchy variegated conifers. The whitish branch tips
turn almost the normal green with the advent of winter.

C. Lawsoniana Alumi is of strict growth, with dis-
tinct and very pleasing bluish-green foliage. It is a neat and
interesting variety, and worthy of culture where ground space
is confined.

C- Lawsoniana argfentea is of moderately compact
growth, and rarely rises to a great height. The foliage is ex-
tremely pleasing, being of a decided silvery-grey tint, and
constant in character.

C. Lawsoniana Bowleri is a close and compact
growing mass of semi-pendulous deep green branches and
foliage.

C. Lawsoniana com pacta is of dwarf growth, and
forms a closely habited shrub, with ascending branches and a
good supply of foliage.

C. Lawsoniana coerulcscens is a dwarf, bushy
variety, growing about 3 feet high, and with numerous and
much divided branches plentifully supplied with bluish-green
foliage, faintly marked on the upper sides with silvery-grey
bands. It is a decidedly worthy variety, and should have a
chosen spot in the ornamental grounds.

C. Lawsoniana eiegantissima— This is perhaps
the best variegated variety of the Lawson's cypress. It is of
vigorous growth, of good habit, and with the bark and leaves
of a delicate yellowish-green tint.

C. Lawsoniana erecta viridis. — This is one of the
commonest varieties in cultivation, of tapering outline, and
with the branchlets closely set on, and appressed to the stem.
The foliage is of the brightest green the whole season through.

40 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

Excellent for planting in confined spaces, but too formal of
growth for general planting.

C. Lawsonianafllifeira is of easy spreading growth,
but taller than broad, and remarkable for the long and slender
branchlets, the tips of which are tassellated, and of a semi-
pendulous character.

C. Lawsoniana Fleetii. — This is quite distinct, the
growth being very stiff and erect, and the foliage of a pleasing
bluish-grey glaucous hue.

C. Lawsoniana Haskin's variety is certainly one
of great merit, the young shoots being of a delightful orange-
yellow colour, and quite distinct from anything we have
before us. It originated as a seedling at the Branksome
Nursery, Bournemouth.

C. Lawsoniana intertexta. — This has no particular
merit when compared with the species, the branch growth
being very robust, while, owing to the branches being far
apart, the plant has a rather untidy and open appear-
ance. The partially drooping branch tips are a redeeming
quality.

C. Lawsoniana iutea is of compact habit, the branch
tips being golden yellow, but the variegation is inconstant,
and varies much in depth of tint with the particular specimen.

C. Lawsoniana nana is only suited for rock work or
ornamental gardening. It rarely exceeds 2 feet in height,
and is of rounded and close-growing habit.

C. Lawsoniana striata, as the name denotes, is
another of the upright growing kinds, but it is of less tapering
growth than most.

C. Lindleii, Klotsch. {Synonyms: — C.thurifera,\Smd\^y\
C. Knightiana, Gordon ; C. Conlterz, Forbes ; C. Karwinskyana^
Kegel ; C. liisitanica, Lindley ; C. U/ideana^ Gordon.) Moun-
tains of Mexico. 1840. — If only for its graceful habit and
conspicuous bluish-green foliage, this species is well worthy of
attention. It is not a common plant, but is evidently the
handsomest and hardiest of the Mexican cypresses. The
growth is refined and pleasing, and the contour somewhat

GENUS OUPEESSUS. 41

pyramidal, while the bright bluish hue of the foliage contrasts
strangely with the reddish-brown bark of the stem and branches,
patches of which are every here and there visible from the
fact of the branches being somewhat sparsely produced. The
sub-division of the branches is remarkably regular, the branch-
lets for almost the entire length of the shoot being of nearly
uniform length. The leaves are regularly appressed and
scale-like, while the bright yellow catkins at the branch tips
are highly ornamental, and often produced when the plants are
four years old. When ripe, the cones are nut brown, the scales
ending in a conical point. It makes a good pot plant. Speci-
mens fully 40 feet high are to be found in Ireland.

C. I usitanico, Miller. The Cedar of Goa. {Synonyms: —
C. glauca^ Lamarck ; C. pendula^ L'Heritier ; C. Uhdeana^
Gordon.) — This is a beautiful species — indeed may well be
described as one of the most distinct and graceful members
of the family to which it belongs. The trunk is well clothed
with somewhat pendulous branches, the foliage being scale-
like and closely imbricated. Fruit is produced in great
quantity, the individual cones being about the size of those
of the Lawson Cypress, but with a distinct hooked append-
age on the outer side of each scale.

Both fruit and leaves are covered with a beautiful glaucous
bloom.

In maritime situations it succeeds best — and by far the
finest trees I have seen are throughout Ireland generally.

C. Macnabiana, Murray. {Synonyms: — C, glandulosa,
Hooker ; C. glatica, Department of Agriculture, U.S.A.)
CaHfornia, Mount Shasta. 1852. — Although this is a very
beautiful and distinct species, it has never found much favour
with the British tree planter. This is certainly to be regretted,
as the low compact habit of growth and deep bluish-green glau-
cescent foliage render it a very distinct and desirable species.

C. macrocarpa,^ Hartweg. Monterey Cypress.
{Synonyms : — C. Lambertiana fastigiata, C. Hariwegiy

1 For a full account of Cupressus macrocarpa, illustrated, see my article in The
Garden^ vol. xxix., 1886,

42 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

Carri^re.) Monterey, California. 1848. — There is something
remarkably pleasing about this tree, especially when seen at
its best, within the influence of the sea — the graceful spreading
habit, plentiful supply of branches, which are well furnished
with dark grass-green foliage, and stately form of growth,
rendering it as unique as it is desirable.

The branches are very closely arranged, but heavy and
massive, with an upward inclination, although the flat, cedar-
of-Lebanon-like appearance characterises certain spetimens,
and are longest at about midway up the stem. It is readily
distinguished from other species by the large size of the cones,
these averaging 2 inches long, by fully i inch broad. They
are of a light brown colour, and usually borne in clusters of
three or four.

C. macrocarpa fastigfiata. — This is a well-marked
variety, in which the branches closely press on the main stem,
the diameter of spread in a specimen 50 feet in height being
only 16 feet. It is well, however, to remember that inter-
mediate gradations between the spreading and pyramidal
forms are by no means uncommon. The foliage in both
trees is of the brightest green ; and the long whip-like shoots,
with the conspicuous reddish bark, impart a peculiar grace to
healthy specimens.

As an adjunct to our somewhat limited list of seaside
conifers, this cypress is of undoubted value, flourishing better
in maritime than in midland parts of the country. It grows
freely in the Orkney Islands. Home-grown timber is of ex-
cellent quality, being very beautifully grained, while it is of a
deep yellow outwards and red towards the centre.

C. macrocarpa Guadeloupensis. Guadeloupe
Cypress. {Synonym : — Cupi-essns Guadeloupensis, Watson.) —
Judging from young specimens that I have seen, this will
yet turn out to be a useful conifer for ornamental plant-
ing, should it be found hardy enough to withstand our
insular climate. The branches are slender, and the foliage of
an intense glaucous green colour, and which is a ready means
of identification. The cones are much smaller than those of

GENUS CUPRESSUS. 43

the species, being only i inch in diameter, and almost circu-
lar, each scale being provided with a projecting umbo. It
occurs in Guadeloupe Island, off the coast of Lower California.

C. macrocarpa lutea, raised by Messrs. Dickson
at their Chester nursery, is an undoubted acquisition, and
should it, when advanced in growth, retain the beautiful and
distinct golden tint for which young specimens are justly
remarkable, its use in ornamental planting will be hard to
estimate. It is of compact and neat growth, but by no
means formal, with a plentiful supply of finely divided and
neatly arranged branches and branchlets ; and this, with its
warm golden tint of foliage, claims for it a foremost place in
our list of variegated conifers. This variety has been
awarded a first-class certificate by the Royal Horticultural
Society.

C- nootkatensiS, Lambert. Alaska Cypress. {Syno-
nyms : — C, nutkaensis, Hooker ; Chamcecyparis nutkaenszs,
Spach ; T/iuyopsis borealis, Carriere ; T, nidijica, Rovelli.)
Vancouver Island, Oregon, British Columbia. 1794. — This
is a fine, spreading branched tree, with an exterior resem-
blance to C. Lawsoniana, but certainly inferior to that species
in point of ornamental appearance. It is somewhat stiff and
rigid in outline, the main branches having a partially upright
tendency, with numerous drooping branchlets, thickly clothed
with small, closely-imbricated, sharp-pointed leaves, of a rich
dark green above, slightly glaucous beneath, and emitting a
pungent odour when crushed. The cones are nearly spherical
in shape, each \ an inch in. diameter, composed of four scales,
with, on an average, eleven seeds. The male catkins are
sulphur yellow.

For economic planting, this cypress is well worthy of atten-
tion, it being of undoubted hardihood, and producing valuable
timber, which is of a pale yellow colour, light in proportion to
the bulk, and very durable. Trees of twenty years growth
are, from a great number of measurements I have taken,
usually about 19 feet high, rarely more, while the taper in the
trunk is greater than in any other of the species.

44 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

C. nootkatensis argfentea varlefifata differs

only in having some of the branches spotted with, or wholly,
creamy-white.

C. nootkatensiS com pacta is characterised by a
dwarfer and more compact habit of growth than the type,
and is valuable where space is limited, or for variety.

C. nootkatensiS lutea, of which there is a large
specimen at Penrhyn Castle, in Wales, is far more ornamental
than the typical tree, the branch tips being of a light and
pleasing yellow colour. In this variety, the branchlets, being
pendulous, and hanging limp and easy for fully I foot in
length, render the trees both distinct and desirable.

C. nootkatensiS penduia is remarkable for the
graceful pendulous foliage, which reminds one of that of the
weeping-willow. It is a very distinct form from the Milford
Nurseries, Godalming, but, so far as I know, is not yet gener-
ally cultivated.

C. (Retinispora) obtusa, Koch. {Synonyms:— Cha-
iwxcyparis obtusa^ Siebold et Zuccarini; Retinispora obttisa, Sie-
bold ; Thuya obtiisa, Masters.) Mountains of Japan. — Although
of rather stiff habit, the outline being regularly conical, dense
growth, and sombre hue, there is something remarkably pleas-
ing and distinct about a well-grown specimen of this Japanese
conifer. In this country the tree has attained, in some few
instances, to nearly 30 feet in height, with crowded branches
and flattened frond-like branchlets, well supplied with small
scale-like light green leaves. The cones are quite round,
about half an inch in diameter, and composed of from eight
to ten scales, having an umbo on their outer surface.

C. obtusa fiiicoides, when seen in good form, is a
desirable variety, in which the equally arranged fern-like
branchlets, furnished with the brightest green foliage, which is
of a silvery tint beneath, are points of special recognition.
The leaves are imbricated in four rows, and the cones are
rounded and fully one-fourth of an inch in diameter.

C. obtusa fit if era is rendered distinct from every
other variety by reason of the long, pendulous, thread-like

GENUS CUPRESSUS. 45

branchlets, which oft terminate by tufts of finely divided
shoots. The leaves are subulate, distinct, and of a pleasing
shade of green ; while the cones or strobiles are about the
size and shape of a small pea. It is one of the most distinct
and desirable of ornamental conifers.

C. obtusa lycopodioides is a well-known variety,
with curiously flattened branch tips, and of rather loose and
ungainly growth. It frequently fails to grow in a satisfactory
manner.

C. obtusa nana is another dwarf-growing form, but
in point of beauty is hardly comparable with the latter.

C. obtusa pygmSQSL is a useful miniature conifer for
planting amongst dwarf-growing plants on the rock-work or
in the shrubbery. Rarely is it found more than 1 5 inches in
height, but the spread is wide proportionately, and flattish,
while the foliage does not lose one bit of its rich green hue
the whole season through. Of all the miniature conifers, this
Selaginella-like variety is one of the prettiest and most in-
teresting.

C- (Retinispora) pisifera, Koch. {Synonyms: —
ChamcBcyparis pisifera, Siebold et Zuccarini ; Retinispora
pisifera, Siebold ; Thuya pisifer, Masters.) Mountains of
Japan. — This is readily distinguished from the latter species
by its more open habit of growth, and by its more slender
and usually longer branches and feathery foliage. The
branches are somewhat irregular of arrangement, though
the outline of the tree is informly pyramidal, the leaves
scale-like, four-rowed, and of a dark bright green, with two
glaucous lines beneath. Fruit about the size of a pea, and
borne in clusters of from two to ten.

C. pisifera piumosa is a distinct and well-known
variety, with numerous sub-erect branches, well furnished
with deep green, awl-shaped foliage. The feathery branchlets
and rich colour render it a very desirable garden conifer.

C. pisifera piumosa arg^entea has silvery tinted
foliage, and is highly ornamental.

C. pisifera piumosa aurea is even a more orna-

46 HARDY COKlIfEROUS TREES.

mental plant than the parent, with thickly-set branches, the
greater portion of which is of a desirable golden-yellow colour.
It is one of the best of the small growing ornamental conifers.

C. pisifera squarrosa-— This is of bush-like growth,
thickly arranged both in branches and branchlets, and with
needle-shaped, silvery-white foliage.

C. pisifera squarrosa dubia is a compact, little
bush, but varies a good deal both in shape and density of
branches. The colour of foliage nearly approaches the latter,
but individually the leaves are stouter and longer. The cones
of all these varieties are identical with those of C. pisifera.

C- sempervirens, Linnaeus. {Sy7tonyms:—C. fasti-
giata, D. C. ; C. pyramidalis, C, Whitleyana^ Carriere.) Levant,
Himalaya. — This is of distinctly pyramidal growth, the
branches usually heavy, and thickly beset with tiny branch-
lets, covered with smooth, imbricated, yellowish-green leaves.
The cones are plentifully produced, and being of a light
brown colour, contrast strangely with the heavy masses of
foliage. Each cone is fully i inch in diameter, nearly round,
and composed of convex angular scales, with a raised point
in the centre of each. There is a noble clump of these trees
at Penrhyn Castle, North Wales.

C. sempervirens horizontaiis differs only from
the species in the spreading branches and smaller cones, but
it is by no means common in cultivation.

C. thurifera, Humboldt Mexico. — This bears a great
resemblance to the better known Thuya orientalis, but the
branches are usually more pendent, and altogether it is a
more desirable specimen for ornamental purposes. It re-
quires a warm situation and rich soil ; indeed, the largest
specimen I have seen is growing on an estate in Ireland.
Wherever it will grow this species is well worthy of culture,
but it is not generally hardy. The specimens I have seen
under the name of C. thurifera are quite distinct from any
other species of my acquaintance.

C- Thyoides, Linnaeus. {Synonyms : — Chamcecyparis
sp/ucroidea, Spach ; Retinispora ericoides^ Gordon.) Eastern

GENUS CUPRESSTJg. 47

States of North America. 1736. — At all stages of its growth,
and when in the flush of health, this cypress is a tree of great
beauty, the evenly spreading branches, rich glaucous foliage,
and dense pyramidal outline, being its chief character-
istics. The leaves are closely appressed, and the cones the
same shape and size as peas.

It delights in a dampish, loamy peat, and it will even put
on its best form in pure but partially reclaimed peat bog ; in-
deed, by far the finest specimen I have seen was growing by the
margin of a mixed pine and birch wood in Ireland in the
latter class of soil.

C- Thyoides Hoveii is the most remarkable deviation
from the species of any of the varieties. The branchlets are
here and there of quite a tufted appearance, from the number
and closeness of the slender terminal twigs. It is of no par-
ticular value.

C- Thyoides leptoclada is of low growth and strict
habit, with foliage of two distinct kinds — scale-like, and awl-
shaped — and bluish-grey of colour.

C. Thyoides nana is a dwarf and pretty form, with
bright, shining green foliage, especially when planted on damp
soils.

C. Thyoides variegata has some of the branch tips
of a golden-yellow, but the amount of variegation differs con-
siderably with the particular specimen.

C. toruiosa, Don. {Synonym : — C. Tournefortii,
Tenore.) Temperate Western Himalaya. 1824. — For plant-
ing where space is rather confined, few trees are better adapted
than the one in question, the easy though columnar habit of
growth, slender branchlets, and bright glaucous foliage being
all desirable acquisitions. The branches, which are thickly
produced, have a decided upward tendency, but are, neverthe-
less, not painfully so, as is the case with some conifers, for the
tufted branchlets, with their easy arranged foliage, deprive it
entirely of all stiffness and formality. The cones are globose,
from I to \\ inches long, produced in dense clusters, and com-
posed of about ten scales with seventy seeds. In cutting up the

48 HA^UDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

timber of a specimen that had attained to 43 feet in height, I
found it hard, close-grained and fibrous, of a pleasing purplish-
yellow colour, and very fragrant, the latter being distinctly
recognisable even when the tree was being felled.

C- torulosa Corneyanais of dwarf and more spread-
ing growth than the species, and with the branches more lithe
and slender.

DACRYDIUM (Solander).

Flowers dioecious.

Fruit erect and fleshy.

Seed with a hard shell investing the kernel, and partially
surrounded by an outer cup-shaped aril.

Leaves variable scale-like, or needle-shaped.

These are evergreen trees, with variable foliage. Only one
species has been found sufficiently hardy for outdoor culture
in this country.

Dacrydium Franklinii, Hooker. The Huon Pine.
South and west shores of Tasmania. — Though usually branded
with the title of " half-hardy," and fought shy of by cultivators
in consequence, yet this is by no means generally the case, for
healthy and well-furnished specimens may be met with in
many counties from Edinburgh southwards — specimens that
have stood unscathed through the most severe winters we
have experienced for many years back. As seen in this
country, the Huon pine is usually of pyramidal contour, the
branch spread being very restricted when compared with the
height. The trunk is erect and straight, the branches shooting
off horizontally from the stem, and the crowded branchlets,
slender, pendulous, and cypress-like, and imparting an elegant
weeping habit of growth to the tree. The foliage is of a
bright grass-green, almost pea-green, the leaves being small,
scale-like, and closely packed together. The male catkins are
solitary at the branch tips, and the fruit is small and fleshy. Soil
would not seem to be a very important factor in the cultivation

GENUS FITZROYA. 49

of the tree, but situation must be attended to. Preferable,
perhaps, is soil of a peaty loam or rich alluvial deposit, the
latter particularly if a certain proportion of sand is present.
Situation is evidently of far more importance, and this should
always be sheltered and free from cold draughts, else the
tree soon assumes a wretched and meagre appearance. It
has attained to nearly 50 feet in height in various parts of Great
Britain. The timber produced in its native country is highly
valued, and good examples of it may be seen in the musoj^n^
at Kew. ^^' . . *" 4^.

■^•^.^

FITZROYA (J. D. Hooker). k\M^P'

Flowers dioecious. ' >i • .

Cones solitary, terminal, globose or star-shaped, and con-
sisting of nine scales.

Scales in whorls of three, the intermediate three only being
fertile.

Seeds winged, three under each fertile scale.

Leaves usually three-ranked, flat, stalkless, and loosely
imbricated.

An evergreen tree or shrub found on the Patagonian Moun-
tains. In this country it rarely exceeds 18 feet in height.

Fitzroya patagonica,^ Hooker. Mountains of Western
Patagonia, Chili, Valdivia. 1 849. — Though this tree thrives well
in certain places and becomes a decidedly ornamental conifer,
yet it is not to be recommended for general planting unless in
the more favoured and warmer parts of the country. When
seen, however, under favourable conditions, it is both distinct
and ornamental, the deep green of the long, whip-cord-like
branchlets, which are usually arranged in irregular semi-droop-
ing masses, rendering fair-sized specimens different in appear-
ance to almost every other conifer. It forms no permanent
leader, but rather several aspiring shoots, the greater portion of

iFor a full account of Fitzroya patagonica^ as cultivated in this country, see my
article in The Garden^ vol. xxix., 1886,

P

50 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

which is tilted over gracefully, and with the drooping side
shoots form the chief characteristic of the species. The leaves
are whorled, usually in fours, deep grass-green above, and
with a silvery glaucous tint beneath. The cones produced in
this country are small globose bodies, consisting of about
three rows of whorled scales. The largest specimen I have
seen is growing in a sheltered site on a quickly-sloping bank
on the Churchill estate, County Armagh, Ireland ; but there
are many fine examples in this country from Gordon Castle,
Banffshire, southwards. The soil in which the Irish tree is
growing is loamy peat, and plenty of quickly passing away
moisture is always provided. This specimen, with its long
whip-cord-like branch tips, is decidedly ornamental, and
makes one wish that the species was more commonly
planted.

GINKGO (Linn^us).

Flowers dioecious ; males in umbellate pendulous spikes ;
females in terminal clusters or long pedicels.

Fmit drupaceous, and enclosed at the base in a fleshy
cup.

Seeds erect, ovoid, and covered with a hard, bony shell.

Leaves deciduous, stalked, fan-shaped, and covered with
radiating nerves.

Cotyledons two.

A handsome, large-growing, deciduous tree, with fan-shaped
leaves that are either tufted on short spurs or scattered on
the longer growths.

GinkgfO biloba, Linnceus. Maidenhair Tree. {Synonym-.
— Salisburia adiantifolia, Smith.) Northern China. 1754. —
There are many beautiful specimens of this tree in almost
every part of the British Isles, thus showing its general
adaptability for the climate of this country. The glossy
green, fan-shaped leaves, cut up like some of the species of
Adiantum, impart to this noble tree a distinct and remarkable

GENUS JUNIPERUS. 51

appearance ; indeed, in the light and open aspect, peculiarly
shaped deciduous foliage, and stately dimensions, we have in
the Ginkgo one of the most distinct and pleasing of hardy
trees. The tree is of rather spiry growth, with smooth fan-
shaped, yellowish-green leaves, both sides being of the same
colour, and marked by parallel lines. Fruit about the size of a
walnut, enclosing a marble-sized kernel.

G. biloba aurea is decidedly an acquisition, the already
yellowish-green leaves wearing in this variety a beautiful
sunny golden colour. It does not grow so quickly as the
species.

G. biloba macrophylla differs in the much larger
foliage, which is deeply divided into three or five lobes, these
again being sub-divided, and often dentated on the margins.

JUNIPERUS (Linnaius).
THE JUNIPERS.

Flozvers dioecious, but frequently monoecious ; males in
spikes ; females short, axillary, and bracteated at the base.

Fniit a globular cone or berry, composed of from three to
six fleshy scales.

Seeds erect, from one to four, mostly three in each fruit.

Leaves opposite or ternate, scale-like, the primary ones
pointed.

Cotyledons two.

These are evergreen trees or shrubs, and may be readily
recognised by the berry-like fruit, which, when ripe, is for the
most part deep purple, black, or reddish-brown, and wingless
seeds. Both foliage and fruit when crushed emit a pleasant
resinous odour.

Juniperus bernriudiana, Linnaeus. Bermudas. — In
this country the situations are few where the present juniper
can be said to succeed, and for this reason it is rarely met with
in cultivation. In the north of Ireland, and in southern and

52 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

western England it succeeds fairly well, and on the sandy
soil of Surrey I have seen a well-furnished and healthy speci-
men. It is thickly branched, and of tapering outline, with
scale-like, imbricated leaves on the adult tree, those on the
young plant being needle-like, and each about J an inch long.
The berries, which are usually produced singly at the branch
tips, are smaller than those of our native species. The wood
is readily worked, highly fragrant, and, when more plentiful
than it is at present, was largely used in the manufacture of
lead pencils. A free and light soil, and shadyish situation
suit it best.

J. californica, Carriere. {Synonyms:^, tetragona,
osteosperma, Torrey ; /. tetragona^ Cooper ; J. occidentalism
Gordon.) Utah, Arizona, California. 1839. — According to
soil and situation, this species varies considerably, sometimes
occurring as a far-spreading, bush-like specimen, while at
others it ascends to nearly 30 feet in height. The foliage,
too, at different stages of growth varies greatly, the leaves on
the younger plants being usually sharp-pointed, and arranged
in threes, whereas in after years they are short, blunt, and im-
bricated. It grows best in sandy soil. In the absence of
fruit it is difficult to distinguish the present species from the
better known and more generally cultivated /. occidentalis.
The berries of the latter are not unlike those of our native
species, while in /. californica they are larger, the berry being
dry and containing only one seed, the stony coating of which
is harder than that of any other species of my acquaintance.
It is of tree-like growth, with thickly-arranged branches and
silvery-greyish leaves, but it has no special recommendation
for ornamental planting. The growth, even under the most
favourable conditions, is remarkably slow.

J. californica utaiiensis is of low-spreading growth,
with stout short branchlets, and an easy and pleasing habit. It
has not generally succeeded under cultivation in this country.

J. Chinensis, Linnaeus. {Synonyms :— J. japo7iica,
Carriere ; /. Jlagelliformis and /. Reevesiana, hort.) Hima-
laya, China, Japan. 1804. — This is probably the most bcauti-

GENUS JUNIPERUS. 53

ful and accommodating of the several species of juniper.
There are two forms — male and female — though occasionally
I have seen both sexes present on one and the same speci-
men. The male or pollen-bearing plant is by far the most
ornamental, and especially so during the spring months when
laden with the conspicuous golden flowers. The habit is
strictly erect, especially in the upper half, the foliage acicular,
and of a pleasing bright green tint, though occasionally the
leaves are scale-like and imbricated, particularly towards the
top of the specimen. The conspicuous orange-yellow male
flowers are in many cases so thickly produced that the
branches are weighed down in consequence. In the female
plant the habit is far more spreading than with the latter, the
leaves are for the greater part scale-like and overlapping, and
the berries small and purplish-violet in colour.

J. chinensis albo-varieg^ata has many of the
branchlets of a light cream or almost white colour, the green
portions also appearing of a brighter tint than that of the
species. It is of dwarf-spreading growth.

J. chinensis aurea is surpassed by no other conifer
of this class as a bright, golden-foliaged shrub. It is of free,
upright growth, with a plentiful supply of branches and
foliage, and stands full exposure in a commendable way.

J. chinensis (Japanese form.) {Synonym :— J. japonica,
Hort.) — This is a dwarf-spreading form of dense growth, with
either acicular or scale-like foliage. On the adult plant the
leaves are for the greater part ovate, blunt, and closely im-
bricated ; while on the juvenile specimen they are generally
straight, stiff, and tapering to a sharp point. The berries are
sparsely produced, and usually singly at the branch tips;
they being oval in shape, small, and of a glaucous purple
colour. In Japan this form is most commonly to be met
with. The dimorphous foliage, and size, composition and
arrangement of fruit, have caused me to place this as a variety
of/, chinensis.

J. chinensis aurea (Japanese form) is somewhat in the
way of a dwarf plant of the golden Chinese variety, but the

54 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

colour is not so deep nor so long sustained as in that well-
known form.

J. chinensis aurea varieg^ata (Japanese form)
differs from the preceding in having only a few of the branch
tips suffused with a golden-yellow colour.

J. communis, Linnaeus. Common Juniper. Greater
part of the Northern and Eastern Hemisphere, Britain. —
Whether as regards height, shape, or arrangement, and colour-
ing of foliage, this must be described as a very variable species.
Altitude and elevation have no doubt much to do with this
marked dissimilarity in appearance, but certainly not all, for
even on our low-lying commons and downs the variety
afforded by these wild junipers is something remarkable. In
height we find them of all sizes, up to as much as 24 feet,
some tall, straight and tapering gradually throughout, others
with rounded tops and nearly equal diameter from base to
tip, while others again assume the spreading habit of growth,
often forming broad, dense masses of not more than a couple
of feet in height. The colouring of foliage is at all times
beautiful, though varying greatly in different plants— some-
times a rich greenish-brown, relieved here and there by silvery
tones, at others a uniform greyish-green, the dainty and deli-
cate leaders alone being of a rich, warm brown. The leaves
are stout, sharp, and thickly arranged, varying in length and
width, each being about three-eighths of an inch long, green
or greyish-brown on one side, and of a beautiful and distinct
silvery tone on the other. Berries are produced very freely,
in some cases constituting dense masses, the colour varying
with age from green, through purplish-olive to a deep, glossy
black, and each about the size of a pea. Both fruit and foliage
emit a pleasant myrtle-like aroma when bruised.

J. communis canadensis. — In habit and general
outline this bears a great resemblance to the Savin (/. Sahina)^
while the leaves are stiff, narrow, and sharp-pointed, grey-
green in colour, with a silvery band on the upper side. The
growths are very irregular in length, thus causing the plant to
have a straggling, and by no means pleasing, appearance.

GENUS JUNIPERUS. 55

J. com m tan is COrmpressa must be considered as the
dwarfest of all hardy conifers, it rarely exceeding a few inches
in height. It is of compact conical habit, a specimen of 5
inches in height being about 2 inches in diameter of branch
spread, the branchlets being slender, and growing close to-
gether in an upward direction. The foliage is thickly pro-
duced, the individual leaves short and bright green, changing
in severe winters to a dull brown. The rate of growth, even
under the best cultivation, is remarkably slow, yet the plant
never wears a dumpy or cushion-like appearance, as is the
case with the majority of pigmy conifers.

Many years ago I had a specimen of the above sent to me
by a botanical friend, it being then 4 inches high, and as
pretty a miniature conifer as could be desired. To-day it is
hardly one inch taller, very little wider in spread, and of as
beautiful a blue-green as when originally received. Consider-
ing that it has been growing in the richest of leaf soil for
several years and has hardly increased in size, one cannot but
wonder at the thickly-produced foliage remaining so fresh and
healthy. For rock-work it is a gem, and must be considered
as the dwarfest conifer known.

J. com munis cracovia. Polish Juniper. — A de-
cidedly ornamental variety, with an easy, half-pendulous,
though upright mode of growth. The foliage is plentifully
produced, and of a light green colour, but varies with the
quality of soil in which the specimen is growing. In
rather dampish loam, and where partial shade is afforded, it
grows very freely, the foliage being thick and bright, and the
branch tips gracefully pendulous, particularly those on the
upper half of the specimen.

J. communis hemispherica.— This is a distinct
variety, and one that keeps true to character. It only rises a
short distance from the ground in a compact, almost globose
mass, the leaves stiff, thickly produced, and of the same tint
as those of the species, though not much over half as long.
For rock gardening it is valuable, the rate of growth being
slow, the outline compact, and the foliage pleasantly glaucous.

56 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

J. communis hiberriica. Irish Juniper. — A well-
known and widely dispersed variety of strictly columnar habit,
the branches and branchlets being rigid, close set, and of decid-
edly upright growth. But not only in habit does this variety
depart widely from the parent, for the foliage is also strik-
ingly distinct, being shorter and of a deeper green, freely in-
termixed with silvery glaucous tints. This handsome and
distinct form is said to have originated in Ireland, but I have
also found it wild at Keston, in Kent, and on some of the
commons of Hertfordshire.

J. communis nana. — A neat little shrub, of spread-
ing growth, the leaves being short, and so sharp and needle-
like that it is difficult to handle the plant uninjured. The
colour of foliage is greyish-green beneath, and more glaucous
above. Though rarely rising to a greater height than 8
inches from the ground, yet on the Snowdon range of hills I
have seen it spreading to 5 feet in width. It transplants
freely, and is useful for covering dry gravelly and chalky
banks where little else would grow.

J. communis neaboriensis is a distinct and
desirable variety of pyramidal growth, and remarkable for the
stiff and very sharp-pointed leaves, which are of a shining
glaucous green. It succeeds well under ordinary treatment,
and forms a neat and pleasing specimen of upward growth.

J. communis Oblongfa. — This is a striking and
beautiful form when seen in a thriving condition, which, un-
fortunately, is not always the case in this country. In shape
it varies considerably, some specimens being decidedly pro-
cumbent, while others shoot up narrow and compact. It is,
however, always pleasing, from the rich bright green of the
foliage and the dainty grace of the slender branchlets. For
a cool, porous soil it is a good subject.

J. communis suecica resembles the Irish juni-
per in habit, though the branch tips jut out here and
there, giving the specimen an easier and less stiff outline. It
is of larger growth, and the foliage lighter, greyish, or silvery-
green.

GEKUS JUNIPERUS. 57

J. drupacea, Labillardiere. The Syrian Juniper.
{Synonym: — Arceuthos drupacea, Antoine and Kotschy).
Northern Syria, Crete. 1854. — In several respects this
species must be considered as one of the most interesting of
the junipers. It is of bold, upright growth, with a well-
formed tree-like stem, and produces large plum-like fruit,
quite distinct from any other of the family. The Syrian
juniper is often said to be of slow and small growth, but
in this country, at least, this is not always the case, for a
specimen that has long been under my observation has, in
thirty years, attained to a height of 21 feet, the stem girthing
25 inches at one yard from the ground. Perhaps the worst
fault of this species of juniper is the early loss of the lower
branches after a height of 12 feet or thereabouts is reached,
and this loss of branches is general, and it was noticeable in
every specimen that I know of Usually the habit of the
Syrian juniper is upright, not stiffly so, but just sufficient to
impart a neat appearance to the tree. The branches incline
upwards, and the branchlets slightly droop ; the foliage is
thickly produced — crowded, in fact. The leaves vary much
in length, according to their position, but they are, for the
greater part, J- of an inch long, stiff, sharp-pointed,
and of a uniform grey-green colour, and quite wanting in the
various tints of silver or frosted appearance possessed by
many species of juniper. The fruits are sparingly produced
even on old specimens ; but when in any quantity, the tree
has a beautiful appearance from contrast between the large
blue-black berries and the light green foliage. The fruits are
almost spherical, except at the apex, which is deeply cleft or
indented, are fully |- of an inch in diameter, and often
become suffused with a glaucous bloom just before they
ripen.

For ornamental purposes, in sheltered spots, and in stiff
soils, I would recommend Juniperiis drupacea to be planted,
as being a tree of robust and stately growth.

. J. excelsai Bieberstein. {Synonyms :— J. taurica and
/. religiosa.) Levant, Himalaya, Afghanistan to Sikkim.

5S fiAUBY CONIFEROUS TREES.

1806. — This is usually found as a pyramidal- shaped bush or
tree, with numerous slender rigid branchlets, the peculiarly
glaucous leaves imparting a greyish appearance to the whole.

When raised from seed in this country, the appearance of
all the young plants is wonderfully alike, which is rather
singular when we consider the wide range of the plant from
Greece to Afghanistan.

J. excelsa Stricta partakes of the neat, upright habit
of the species, probably when young in an advanced degree,
with still more glaucous foliage.

J. macrocarpa, Sibthorp. Mediterranean Coast. —
Although not generally recommended for cultivation in this
country, yet that it does succeed well in certain places is evi-
dent from the beautiful specimen that is growing but a short
distance from the race-course at Sandown Park. It much re-
sembles our common juniper, only the leaves are longer, and
the fruit larger, while the more compact and better furnished
appearance is strikingly pronounced in the specimen in
question, which is 10 feet high and fully 7 feet through. The
diameter of branch-spread is the same, or nearly so, from base
to tip. Light sandy loam of great depth suits it well.

J. occidental is, Hooker. {Synonyms: — Chamcrcyparis
Boursierii, Dccaisne ; J.pyrifonnis, Lindlcy.) North-Western
America, British Columbia to Sacramento. 1839. — ^ very
variable species, whether as regards outline or foliage. In
young plants the leaves are sharp-pointed and brightly tinted,
whilst in adult specimens they are of a sombre hue and
closely imbricated. It usually wears a shabby appearance
under cultivation in this country.

J. occidentaiis monosperina, found on low hills
of Southern New Mexico, becomes a low-growing tree, or
rather medium-sized shrub.

J. OxycedruSi Linnaeus. {Synonyms : — -/. rufescenSy
Link ; /. Marschallianay Steven, ex Boiss.) Southern Europe,
the Levant. — A bushy, freely-branched, and wide-spreading
shrub, the branchlets neatly drooping, and well clothed with
needle-like leaves. It may be considered as the rcpresenta-

GEl^US JtTNlPERUS. 59

tive of our native Juniper throughout the districts in which it
is found. Unless in seaside situations, it is rarely of satis-
factory growth in this country.

J. pachyphloea, Torrey. New Mexico and Arizona. —
Owing to the intense glaucous hue of its foliage, this species
is one of the most distinct and interesting of hardy junipers.
The difference in colour between the old and young foliage is
likewise remarkable, that of the young shoots for at least half
the year being so intensely glaucous that it appears as if
coated with hoar-frost, while the older is of a soft bluish-
green.

Generally the habit is irregularly upright, rarely formally
so, the branches comparatively short and erect, and the scale-
like leaves, broad and short, stiff and sharp to the touch, and
very closely arranged. The berries are produced in twos and
threes, and resemble greatly, both in shape and colour, those
of our common juniper, but they are twice as large, or fully
J an inch in diameter, and in the young stage suffused
with the same silvery-glaucous hue for which the foliage is so
remarkable. This juniper is quite hardy, but has, with several
other species, the unfortunate drawback, for ornamental pur-
poses at least, that the lower branches give way even in
specimens that are freely exposed to light and air. It is not
averse to rather stiff soil, and to exposed situations.

J. phoenicea,, Linnaeus. {Synonyms : — -/. bacciformisy
Carr ; /. tetragond). Mediterranean region, Azores, Madeira.
1683. — A well-known, shrubby-habited species, with much
divided branches clothed with scale-like, bright green leaves,
but which are quite wanting in the silvery tint that overlies
the foliage of many members of this family. The fruit is
usually produced in plenty, is of a yellowish-brown colour,
and each of pea size. The finest specimens I have seen were
growing on mossy ground on the slate rock where partially
sheltered, and near the sea coast.

J. recurva, Hamilton. Weeping Indian Juniper. Hima-
layas, Cashmir to Sikkim. About 1822. — This is one of the
most distinct, beautiful, and valuable of the many species of

60 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

the genus. Although perfectly hardy, it is somewhat fastidi-
ous and difficult to manage, and like many others of its
Chinese relatives, has its likes and dislikes, both as regards
soil and situation, but these being favourable, no more easily
cultivated tree or shrub will be found in the whole range of
coniferous trees. The branches are somewhat irregular of
growth, the branchlets recurved, pendulous, and feathery, and
w^ell supplied with loosely imbricated bluish or greyish-green
foliage. The fruit or berries are oval-shaped, with one seed
in each, are of a pretty, dark purple colour, and shown off
well by the lightly tinted foliage. The tree is not, as stated
by Gordon, Veitch, and others, dioecious, but frequently pro-
duces male and female flowers on the same twig.^ Three
crops of berries are commonly found on the tree at one and
the same time, some being green, others suffused with a
bronzy tint, and the full ripe ones an enticing purple.

It likes a moderately shady and sheltered situation, or
where all day long it will not be exposed to direct sunshine.
Cool, loamy peat would seem to be the soil in which it does
best. The largest and healthiest specimens that have come
under my own notice are growing close to the Abbey at
Woburn, and in front of the dwelling-house at Hafodunos,^
away amongst the Welsh hills.

J. recurva squamata (Synonym :— J. dmsa) is a
much-branched, decumbent variety, with stiff, unyielding
branches, and very glaucous, rigid, sharp-pointed, scale-like
leaves. It is of little value as a decorative shrub.

J. rig^ida^ Siebold et Zuccarini. Mountains of Japan,
i86i. — I much fear that the specific name of this Ja-
panese conifer is responsible for its absence from many of
our parks and gardens. It should, however, be remembered
that the name rigida has nothing whatever to do with the

1 For a full account o\ Juniperus reairva, see my article in The Garden, vol.
xxix., 1886.

2 There are many rare and beautiful conifers in the Ilafodunos collection, and
I was particularly stnick with the great size to which Tsuga Mertensiana, Juniperus
recurva, and many of the species of Abies and Picea, had attained at so high an
elevation above sea level. Sciadopitys verticillata I have never seen in finer form.

GENUS JUNIPERUS. 61

habit or outline, but directly refers to the stiff, sharp-pointed
leaves, which render the plant almost as difficult to handle as
a bush of furze. It is at once one of the most distinct, hardy,
and beautiful of the many species of Junipenis — indeed, I
much question whether any other can surpass as a standard
specimen a well-grown healthy bush of /. rigida. It has a
warmth of foliage tint, and a gracefully irregular habit, shapely
without formality, that renders it one of the most pleasing of
small or bush-growing conifers. Usually it forms a bush of
about 12 feet in height, with the diameter of branch spread
almost equal from base to tip, the branches slightly ascending,
and the branchlets and young shoots gracefully pendulous.
A peculiar habit of this species is that some of the branches
project further than others, but curiously enough, such
branches are so regularly spread over the specimen, that any
irregularity of habit is quite lost sight of, and this is further
aided by the weeping tips which hang limp and free for
several inches in length, and constitute an unusual and dis-
tinctive charm. Very beautiful, too, is the silvery sheen of
the foliage that is brought about by the conspicuous glaucous
furrow that is present on the upper sides of the leaves. Each
leaf is \ an inch long, narrow, and very stiff, and terminat-
ing in a sharp point. At no period of growth is /. rigida
more beautiful than during the months of June and July, for
then the light green (almost of a yellowish tint) of the young
growths contrasts markedly with the deep bright green of the
older foliage, which later on assumes a warm brownish tint.

For ornamental planting I would place this only second to
the better known /. recurva, but it has the advantage over
that popular species in that it succeeds well in the very soil
where the other becomes rusty and infested with red-spider.

By far the finest specimen that has come under my notice
is growing in deep sandy soil near the race-course at Sandown
Park; it is 13 feet high, and nearly 5 feet through, and is as
perfect a specimen conifer as could be desired.

J. Sabina, Linnaeus. (The Savin.) Central and Southern
Europe, Caucasus, Siberia, North-Eastern America. Prior to

62 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

1548. — Though hardly worthy of special remark as an orna-
mental shrub, yet the Savin juniper has been put to good use
for rock-work decoration, and for planting as game court
around the margins of woodlands. In Woburn Park it is
extensively used for this purpose. It is usually of irregular
habit, portions of the shrub being dense and compact of growth,
and others shooting away into long, almost erect shoots.
The foliage is small and scale-like, while the partly concealed
berry is of pea size, and purplish-brown in colour.

J. Sabinatamariscifolia is one of the neatest and
prettiest varieties in cultivation, and in small gardens is worthy
of a far larger share of attention than it has hitherto received.
One must see healthy specimens to witness the intense bluish-
green colour, suffused with a silvery tint, that pervades the
whole foliage. For ornamental planting, this Spanish Savin
is far more desirable than the species, being of neater and
more procumbent growth, and the foliage tint much more
bright and cheerful. Even under favourable circumstances, it
rarely rises more than 15 inches from the ground, is oftener 9
inches high, and is wanting usually in the long jutting twigs
which so mar the appearance of the typical plant. It makes
a capital edging or carpeting shrub, a use to which I have
successfully put it on various occasions. The branches when
pegged down take root freely, and soon form breadths of the
most pleasing green foliage.

J. Sabina varieg^ata has no particular merit to recom-
mend it, the yellowish variegation being spotty and irregular.
It has the same habit as the species.

J. sphserica, Lindley. Northern China. 1846.— This
is a distinct species of tidy outline, rather inclined to be
conical, but relieved of formality by the extending, tufted, and
finely-divided branchlets. The foliage is of a bright and
pleasant green ; while the fruit, which is irregularly produced,
is oval of form.

J. sphaerica Sheppardii, as seen in cultivation, has a
winter attraction that renders it of value where low-growing
and brightly-foliaged shrubs are in demand. The leaves are

GENUS JUNIPERUS, 63

silvery - white, rather stiff, and sharp-pointed, while the
branches and branchlets are numerous, and impart a dense,
spreading habit to the specimen.

J. thurifera, Linnaeus. Spain, Algiers. 1752.— This
can hardly be generally recommended, as I have known well-
established specimens to suffer much from frost. When seen
at its best, it is highly ornamental, and of distinct habit of
growth, from the lower branches being spreading, while those
further up have an erect growth. The leaves are greyish-
green and scale-like.

J. virgfiniana., Linnaeus. North America, Hudson's Bay
to Florida, and on the west side of Colorado and Vancouver's
Island. 1664. — This is the largest growing of any of the
junipers in this country ; not only the largest as regards height,
but as regards bulk of stem as well. Growing in deep, free
soil, it has in Surrey attained to a height of nearly 50 feet,
and with a stem girthing 71 feet at 3 feet from the ground.
Although varying a good deal in shape and tint of foliage, the
typical plant in England is of pyramidal form, with partially
ascending branches, and mossy, deep green, and very varying
foliage. The leaves are usually short and pointed, but often
scale-like and imbricated, and both forms occur on the same
twig. Berries are produced sparsely in this country, resemble
small peas in size, and are greyish-brown in colour. From
seed it varies to a wide extent.

J. virg^iniana arg'entea has the foliage here and
there irregularly variegated with a silvery tint, but this, in the
specimens I have seen, is neither constant nor distinct.

J. virg^iniana aurea varieg^ata is irregularly
tinted, particularly at the branch tips, with light yellow.
Some forms of this tree are very ornamental, others not worth
cultivating.

J. virgfiniana Bedford iana, Knight. {Synonyms : —
gracilis; Gossainthainea ; barbadensis.) — This variety does
well when planted in light, rich, sandy soil, soon forming a
neat and attractive specimen. It differs greatly from the
species in shade of foliage-colouring, and particularly in the

6i HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

longer and more slender drooping branchlets. It is highly
ornamental.

J. virgfiniana glauca differs from the species in being
of finer growth, and in having the foliage decidedly glaucous,
almost of silvery whiteness during spring.

J. virgfiniana pendula, of which there are several
kinds, that of deep green colour being by far the most
desirable, is extremely graceful, the branchlets being decidedly
pendulous and the tree in consequence highly ornamental.

J. virgriniana Schotti differs in being quite erect
and compact of growth, with the foliage a bright green instead
of the black-green of the species.

J. virg^iniana tripartita-— This resembles the com-
mon Savin in habit, being dwarf and spreading in growth. It
is of very dense growth, with short, sharp-pointed leaves of a
glaucous green colour.

KETELEERIA (Carribre).

Male flowers in tufts or spikes.
Cojtes erect, lateral.
Scales partially persistent.
Bracts shorter than scales.
Seeds angular, winged.
Leaves flat, more or less two-ranked.
Branches horizontally arranged ; branchlets drooping.
An evergreen tree, with spruce-like cones and long-
persistent scales.

Keteieeria Fortunei, Carri6re. {Synonyms: — Abies
FortJinei, Lindley ; A. jezoensis, Lindley ; Picea Fortunei,
Murray; Pinus Fortunei, Parlatore.) Eastern China. — This is
a distinct and interesting species, but one about which much
difference of opinion exists, owing to the presence of certain
characteristics which we associate with the spruce and the silver
firs. Unfortunately the tree has not been found well suited for

GENUS LARIX. 65

cultivation in this country, it wearing, even in very favourable
situations, a by no means prepossessing appearance. The
branches are stiff and horizontally placed, and the foliage
rather sparsely produced and irregular of arrangement, some-
times scattered, sometimes two-ranked. Each leaf is broad,
flat, sabre-shaped, i inch long, deep green above, and lighter
beneath. The cones are produced singly at the branch tips,
stand half-erect, are 6 inches long by ij inches wide, cylin-
drical, and with long-persistent scales, the bracts being shorter
than these.

LARIX (Miller).

THE LARCHES.

Flowers monoecious ; male catkins egg-shaped ; females
erect, solitary, ovate.

Cones somewhat cylindrical.

Scales leathery, persistent and undulated.

Bracts mostly lanceolate, longer or shorter than the scales.

Seeds without resin canals, with a leathery covering, and
furnished with an oblong membranaceous wing.

Cotyledons five to eight, three-cornered, flat.

Leaves deciduous, tufted or singly, linear, soft.

Large growing deciduous trees, with the leaves arranged
either singly or in bundles.

Larix davurica, Fischer. Siberia. — Neither in an or-
namental nor economic sense can this be recommended for
planting at all extensively. It does not thrive well, the
growth usually being short, and the tree having a starved
and stunted appearance.

L. europsea, De Condolle. Common Larch. {Syno-
nyms : — Pinus LariXy Linnaeus ; Larix excelsa. Link ; Larix
decidua, Miller; Abies Larix, Poiret ; Larix pyramidalis,
Salisbury.) Central Europe and Northern Asia. Prior

C6 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

to 1629. — Too well known to require description, at least for
purposes of identification. As a hardy and valuable timber-pro-
ducing conifer the larch is surpassed by no other tree that has
been introduced to this country. The wood is very durable and
strong, light in comparison with the bulk, and easily worked.
As an ornamental tree it is certainly neglected, for in the
spring months when the young leaves are bursting from the
bud the decided golden green tint is almost unique in foliage
tint amongst coniferous trees. Unfortunately of late years
the larch has become subject to disease, and to such an extent
that the planting of the tree in anything like its previous
quantity is much to be doubted.

L. europaea, pendula. is a distinct and very handsome
variety, having the branchlets hanging down almost at right
angles to the branches, and for often a couple of feet in
length. It reaches to almost the height of the parent tree,
and should not be confused with the American species — the
Tamarack or Hackmatack — which never attains to anything
approaching such a size, but is of weeping habit.

L. Griffith ii. Hooker. {Synonyms: — PtJius Griffi-
thiiy Parlatore ; Abies Griffithiana, Lindley and Gordon.)
Eastern Himalayas. 1850. — This bears a great resemblance
to the weeping form of the European larch, but it rarely
exceeds 40 feet in height, and in this country it does not
succeed at all satisfactorily. The branches are long, lithe,
and sparsely foliaged, while the cones are larger than those of
any other species, and furnished with conspicuous persistent
bracts. So far the tree does not promise well in this country,
and is not to be recommended for any but the most favour-
able situations.

L. leptolepis, Endlicher. (^Synonyms: — Abies leptolepisy
Siebold and Zuccarini ; L. japonica, Carri^re.) Japan. 1861.
— This is a beautiful species, and from what is already
known of it, seems to be well suited for planting as an orna-
mental tree in this country. It is of slower and smaller
growth than our common species, with longer leaves, and
smaller and differently shaped cones, they being ovate, and

GENUS LARIX. 67

less than i inch in diameter. The long leaves make this
species appear far more light and airy than the common form ;
while the young foliage is of a glaucous green, but this soon
gives place to the darker colour of the mature specimen. In
loamy peat it thrives well, but is usually slow of growth,
although in south-western Scotland I have known fully 2
feet to be added to the height for several successive years.

L. occidental is, Nuttall. {Synonyms: — Pinus Larix,
Douglas ; L. americana brevifolia, Carriere ; Pinus Nuttallii,
Parlatore.) British Columbia, Oregon. — In its native country
this is a large-sized tree, the timber of which is said to be of
great economic value, being largely used for fencing and
railway ties. The thick, coarse bark is a peculiarity of the
tree, that has the protective merit of long resisting forest
fires. Young trees grow freely in this country when planted
in good fresh loam. The foliage is light and feathery, and
the cones, judging from specimens that have been forwarded
to me for comparison, are longer than those of either our
common species or the American black larch.

L. penduia, Salisbury. American Black Larch, Tama-
rack, or Hackmatack. {Synonyms : — Pinus microcarpa^
Lambert ; Larix microcarpa, Forbes ; L. americana, Michaux ;
Abies penduia and A. microcarpa, Lindley and Gordon ; Pinus
laricina, Duroi ; P, penduia, Aiton.) Eastern North America.
1739. — This is a valuable species in its native country, but
has never found much favour with planters here, and is rarely
seen in our woods and plantations.^ As seen in this country
it is usually of closer growth than our common tree, the
branches rather tortuous and drooping, and the foliage of a
greyish-green colour, and such as to at once strike one as
out of the common. It grows best in swampy ground, and
produces a very valuable timber that is extensively used for
railway purposes in America. For much valuable information
regarding this and other species of American larch I am in-
debted to Mr. Buchanan of Ontario.

' At Boynton, the property of Sir C. W. Strickland, both the black and red
American larches have, in certain situations, done well and attained to large
dimensions.

68 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

LIBOOEDRUS (Endlicher).

THE INCENSE CEDARS.

Floivers moncecious ; male catkins cylindrical or nearly so ;
females solitary, globular.

Cones oblong, woody, and composed of from four to six
scales, of which the middle pair alone is fertile.

Scales leathery in texture, face to face in opposite pairs,
and furnished with a terminal incurved point.

Seeds unequally two-winged, singly or in twos under each
scale.

Cotyledoyis two.

Leaves flattened, decussate, in four imbricated rows.

Large evergreen trees, with flattened branches and scale-
like leaves.

Libocedrus chilensis, Endlicher. {Synonym: —
Thuya chilensis,'Don.) Chilian Andes. 1847. — Although not
to be relied upon as perfectly hardy generally throughout this
country, yet the present species is well worthy of culture in
suitable situations in our southern or western counties. It is
highly ornamental, forming in a young state a very distinct
and graceful plant of pyramidal outline, the habit of growth
being neat and pleasing, and with glaucous deep green pointed
leaves, which are of a silvery tone beneath. The cones are
oblong, and J of an inch in length. Cool, rather moist soil
and partial shelter are necessities to its successful cultivation.

L. decurrens, Torrey. {Synonyms: — Thuya Craigianay
Murray ; Thuya gigantea of gardens.) Mountains of North-
Western America. 1853. — As seen in this country, where it
has long been confused with Thiya gigantea, this is of dense,
columnar habit, with short frondose branches, and deep green
foliage, which colour is retained throughout the winter. Cones
erect, oblong, an inch in length, and composed of usually two
pairs of scales. The stem is usually carrot-shaped in this
country, and the bark a rich brown, that gleams out here
and there between the tiers of thickly matted branches.

GENUS LIBOCEDRUS. 69

The outline of the tree is rather stiff and columnar for
ornamental planting; and though the timber is valuable,
the rate of growth is too slow to allow of its being cultivated
for profitable purposes in this country. It succeeds best on
deep, moist loams, the foliage being paler and the lower
branches apt to die off when the tree is growing in sandy or
gravelly soils. There is a variety named L. decurrens glauca.

L. Doniana,, Endlicher. {Synonym: — Thuya Doniana^
Hooker.) New Zealand. 1848. — Though usually described
as tender, there are, in certain parts of the country, well-
furnished and beautiful specimens of this tree to be seen. In
the north of Ireland it forms a handsome specimen, with
foliage of the richest description ; while in Southern and
especially Western England, I have seen well-grown plants.
It presents a perfect pyramid of flattened, fern-like branch-
lets, thickly covered with beautiful foliage of a deep, un-
changing green, and with little or no silvery markings on the
under sides. It is readily distinguished from L. chilensis by
the more closely arranged leaves and by the absence of the
silvery line on the under sides of these, as also by its richer
and brighter green colour.

L. tetra.g^ona,, Endlicher. {Synonym : — Thuya tetra-
gona, Hooker.) Patagonia and Chili. 1849. — By the Chilians
this is justly valued as one of the most important trees of
their country, the timber being of great value for constructive
purposes. In this country, unless in very favourable situa-
tions, it does not succeed well, and many specimens have
died out prematurely. Where it does thrive, it is certainly a
distinct and beautiful tree, of somewhat broadly pyramidal
habit of growth, the branches being stiff, stout, and horizon-
tally arranged, with the tips upturned. The leaves are bright
green, broadly decurrent at the base, and about \ of an inch
long. Cones smaller than those of any other species. I have
seen this interesting conifer growing freely amongst decayed
vegetable matter, and where the maritime situation was fairly
sheltered.

70 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

PICEA (Link).
THE SPRUCE FIRS.

Flowers moncecious ; male catkins axillary or terminal ;
females terminal and solitary.

Cones generally pendent, solitary, and remaining intact for a
long time.

Scales persistently attached to the axis, not falling away
from each other as in the silver firs, broadly rounded, and
with the edges undulated.

Seeds small, oblong, winged, with a bony shell.

Bracts free from the scales except at the base, and not
projecting.

Cotyledons three-sided, and six to ten in number.

Leaves four-sided, pointing in every direction, and with cir-
cular projections at the base.

Evergreen trees or shrubs, with four-sided leaves, and
usually pendent cones with persistent scales. As stated
under Abies, the now universally adopted plan of calling the
spruces Picea is here adopted.

Picea ajanensis, Fischer. {Synonym: — Abies ajanen-
j-^j, Veitch.) Amoor Land, Mountains of Japan. 1861. — This
is a distinct and beautiful conifer, of sturdy growth, and
non-exacting as to soil. It is certainly one of the hand-
somest of the family, and even in mid-winter the beautiful
glaucous foliage and curiously white-streaked stem have a
striking appearance. When planted in an open space, for
which it is peculiarly suitable, the plant usually assumes a
pyramidal style of growth, the branches being well furnished
with small branchlets or twigs, and all densely studded with
the pretty and attractive foliage. Usually the branch tips have
a distinct upward inclination, thus revealing glimpses here
and there of the silvery under-sides of the leaves, and which
afford a striking contrast to the darker tint of the upper and
exposed sides. The leaves, which are fully \ an inch long, and
abruptly acute.are of a deep, pleasing shade of green above, and

GENUS PICEA. 71

silvery-white beneath, the latter being more pronounced and
beautiful in this than almost any other member of the family.
Both male and female cones are plentifully produced, the latter
when fully grown, but before becoming ripe, being of a beauti-
ful purple colour, and adding quite a charm to the specimen.

It is rendered, by its undoubted hardihood, freedom of
growth, and beautifully furnished habit, a particularly choice
species for planting as a standard specimen. The healthiest
and largest tree of this kind that I have seen is growing at
Ochtertyre, in Scotland.^ P. ajanensis microspernia is a dis-
tinct variety.

P. aBba,, Link. {^Synonyms: — Abies alba^ Michaux ; A.
canadensis^ Miller ; Pimis alba, Lambert ; Abies rubra ccErulea^
Loudon ; A. ccsruiea, Forbes ; P. nigra glauca, Carri^re ;
Abies arctica^ Murray.) Arctic North America, and South to
New England. About 1700. — For planting in this country
the so-called white spruce cannot be recommended, it being
at the best short-lived, not very ornamental, and of no value
as a timber producer. Growing in cool yellow loam, I have,
however, seen a small number of specimens thriving nicely;
but it should be stated that these were under fifteen years
planted. It is of neat, conical outline, well branched, and the
foliage like our common spruce, but much lighter in colour.
Cones are produced freely, these being dull brown when
ripe, and i^ inches long. There is a variety P. alba ccBrulea.

P. Alcockianai Masters. {Synonyms: — Abies Alcockiana^
Veitch; Picea bicolor^ Maximowicz ; A. acicularis of gardens.)
Mountains of Japan. 1861. — Whether this is a distinct
species, or simply a form of P. ajanensis^ cannot at present be
well defined. The appearance of young trees, sent from a
reliable source under the present name, is certainly different
from that of P. ajanensis, the foliage being more needle-like
and less flat, far more prickly, and the colour not so decided
a silvery tint. It grows quite freely, and has formed a dense

^ The collections of coniferous trees at Ochtertyre, Murthly Castle, and several
other estates in Perthshire, are particularly rich ; while the individual specimens
have a more robust and healthy appearance than I have noticed in almost any
other part of the British Isles.

72 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

specimen of regular outline, except for the upper branches,
which project here and there beyond those further down,
and the plurality of leading shoots. The young shoots of the
present tree are flattish on one side, while those of P. ajanensis
are rounded or cylindrical.

P. Breweriana, Watson. North Carolina, Siskiyou
Mountains. — This is one of the most locally distributed of all
the spruces. It differs from every other in the long pendulous
branchlets, which hang thin and flexible from the main branch
to a great length. The bark becomes of a warm reddish tinge
with the advance of years ; and the leaves, which resemble
those of the Norway spruce, but of a lighter green, are scarcely
I inch long, blunt, thick, and rounded. The cones are re-
markably thin for their length, which is usually about 3 inches.

P. Eng'elmanni, Engelmann. {Synotiyms : — Pinus
commutata, Parlatore ; Abies Engelmanniiy Parry.) Rocky
Mountains of Montana, Oregon, South to Arizona. 1864. —
This tree resembles the black spruce of Eastern America, for
which it was mistaken by all botanical travellers in the Rocky
Mountains, until Dr. Parry detected its specific distinctions,
and dedicated it to the distinguished botanist whose name it
bears. In this country it forms a neat specimen of broadly
conical outline, the branches being stiff, and the long foliage,
sharply pointed and dull green of colour. The cones nearly
resemble those of the better known P. sitchensis^ and are
about 2 inches long.

P. Eng^elmanni gflauca is, in so far as ornamental
properties are concerned, a far more desirable tree than the
species. It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful of all
the spruces, the general habit being that of the parent, but
the foliage, instead of being of a dull green, is distinctly
glauscescent almost to silvery whiteness. It is very hardy,
and in the younger stages slow of growth, with dense, stiff,
horizontal branches, and stout, sharp-pointed leaves, which in
their shade of silvery-green vary to a great extent. In many
collections P, pungens glaiica does service for the present
variety.

GENUS PICEA. ^ 73

P. excelsa, Link. Common Spruce. (^Synonyms: —
Abies excelsUy D. C. ; Abies Picea^ Miller ; Pinus Abies ^
Linnaeus ; Picea vulgaris. Link ; Pinus excelsus, Lamarck.)
Mountains of Northern and Central Europe. Prior to 1548.
— Whether as a hardy, shelter-giving tree, or for the quantity
and quality of timber it produces, the common spruce must
ever rank high in the list of exotic conifers that have been
found suitable for culture in this country. It is well adapted
for general forest planting, luxuriating at high altitudes, and
not only acting as a capital nurse tree, but producing a fair
quantity of valuable timber. When clean grown, the timber
is valuable for temporary roofing and fencing, pit props, floor-
ing, packing boxes, etc. As an ornamental tree the fine pro-
portions and well-clothed trunk render it very effective, which
are further enhanced by the intense green of the thickly pro-
duced foliage. It wants rich, moist soil.

P- excelsa aurea is a beautiful variety, of robust
growth, and justly remarkable for the bronzy tint which
pervades the golden foliage, this being most pronounced at
the branch tips. This seems to be identical with the con-
tinental variety named P. excelsa magnijica, but of which I
have only seen dried specimens.

P- excelsa brevifolia. — A plant of this sent to me
certainly well bears out the name, the leaves being nearly one
half shorter than those of any other known variety. The
growth is remarkably slow, and the plant dwarf and compact
in habit. It is not well known.

P. excelsa Clan brasi liana is a dwarf variety of
curiously irregular growth, but useful for certain positions.
The short and slender branches are densely packed with
needle-shaped leaves, each J of an inch long, and of a light
glaucous hue.

P. excelsa elegrans attains to 8 feet in height, and is
chiefly remarkable for its compact and fragile mode of growth
and greyish slender leaves, which have an erect tendency.

P. excelsa Finedonensis has the young shoots
of a bronzy or brownish-yellow colour ; but this gradually

74 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

gives place with age to a bronzy-green tint. It is highly
ornamental.

P. excelsa Gregroryana is of neat and very dwarf
growth, rarely being found more than 2 feet high. The foliage
is of a pleasant green shade, short, stiff, and arranged thickly
on the branches.

P- excelsa inverta cannot be described as at all an
ornamental variety, but it is highly curious and interesting,
from the branches hanging down almost close to the main
stem, and thus imparting to the tree a strange and striking
appearance.

P. excelsa Maxwellii.— A very neat, dwarf-growing
form of the common spruce has been sent out under the
above name. Unlike several of our well-known pigmy
varieties, the shrub in question remains at all times as hemi-
spherical as if it had been trimmed by the shears, and never
juts into irregular growths, as do many of the dwarf forms
that are at present widely cultivated. It only grows 2 feet
high, but is full and rounded, and fully i yard in spread. It
is said to have originated in a New York nursery, and is rare
in cultivation in this country.

P. excelsa pyg^maea is the dwarfest form of the
common spruce, rarely rising to more than i foot in height,
but spreading laterally in a disproportionate manner.

P. excelsa Stricta is of neat and quite compact growth,
with glaucous green leaves. It is of unusual habit, but
strikingly distinct and ornamental.

P. Glehnii, Schmidt. Island of Sachalin. — Little is yet
known regarding this species, which was found by Glehn,
who accompanied F. Schmidt in his travels in Sachalin and
Amoorland. From the specimen that I have seen, the plant
may be described as of rather dense growth, with four-sided,
curved, and sharply-pointed leaves, each J an inch long,
these being thickly arranged on the branches. The cones
are dull brown, and about li inches in length. Scales wedge-
shaped, and with the bracts much shorter than these.

P. Maximowiczii, Kegel. {Synonyms .-—Abies Maxi-

GENUS PICEA. 75

mozoiczii, hort. ; Picea obovata japonica, Maximovvicz.) — This
is a dull and unattractive species, and one that has not suc-
ceeded well generally in this country. The branches are
short and stout, the leaves four-sided, \ an inch long, stiff and
sharp-pointed, spreading almost at right angles to the stem,
and of a uniformly dull green colour. The cinnamon tint of
the young shoots is pleasing.

P. morinda,^ Link. {Synonyms: — Piiius Smithiana,
Lambert; Picea Smithiana, Boissier; Abies K/mtrozUy Loudon;
Pinus KJiutrow, Royle ; Abies Siiiithiana^ Forbes.) Hima-
layas from West to East. 1818. — As a handsome tree this
beautiful spruce undoubtedly stands in the front rank, while
its hardihood, rapidity of growth, and ease of culture, even
claim for it from planters a greater share of attention than it
has yet received. The gracefully pyramidal habit of the tree
is rendered strikingly beautiful by the slender terminal and
lateral branches, which hang down free and easy for often fully
a yard in length. Spreading horizontally, the branches arc
well supplied with branchlets, which are slender and droop-
ing, and furnished with rigid, incurved, deep green leaves,
that average if inches in length. Cones cylindrical, 5|
inches long, if inches in diameter at thickest part, and
shining brown when ripe. The russety-brown tint and large
size of the cones impart quite a feature to the tree, while the
thickly produced pollen cones are in early spring very showy
and attractive. The cones ripen in February of the following
year after they have been produced, and then fall to the ground,
many, indeed the larger portion, of the seeds being retained
intact, owing to the compactly arranged scales. The tree will
not flourish when planted on light, sandy, or gravelly soils,
the best appearance being put on in rather dampish yellow
loam, but not in such as is surcharged with moisture. The
timber is of no special value, and is dealt with in the chapter
on coniferous woods in the present volume.

P, nig^ra. Link. Black Spruce. {Synonyms: — Pinus

1 A detailed account of P. morinda by the present writer will be found in The
Garden^ vol. xxx., 1886.

76 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

Mariana, Du Roi ; Abies Mariana, Miller; Abies nigra,
Michaux ; Abies denticulata, Poiret ; Picea rubra. Link ; Pinus
nigra, Lambert ; Abies rubra, Forbes.) Canada and North-East
America to Carolina. About 1700. — In this country P. nigra
is of slow and slender growth, regular in outline, but often with
the lower tier of branches resting on the ground, and extend-
ing much further than those immediately above. The foliage
is bluish-green, and the cones, which are produced in great
quantity in this country, of a purplish colour when young,
and nearly 2 inches long. The tree succeeds best in a cool,
moist, loamy soil, and when so situated, and up to the age of
forty years, its distinctive characters are very noticeable.

P. Obovata, Ledebour. {Synonyms : — Abies obovata,
Loudon ; P. Maximowicz of gardens.) North-East Europe
and Northern Asia. — This closely resembles the common
spruce, and is by some botanists ranked as a variety of that
species. The cones are, however, very different from those of
the common spruce, being only 3 inches long, egg-
shaped, and the scale-edges smooth. The branches have a
curiously warted appearance, which forms another point of
difference. It does not generally succeed in this country.

P. Omorica, Pancic. Servian Spruce. {Synonym : —
Pinus Omorica, Pancic.) Mountains of Servia. — This nearly
approaches P. orientalis, from which, however, it may be
distinguished by the longer leaves and shorter cones. The
growth is slender, and branch spread narrow, while the leaves
are fully \ an inch long and silvery green. The cones are
1 1 inches long, by fully f of an inch in diameter, and of a
warm, reddish-brown colour. It is rare in cultivation.

P- orientalis, Carriere. {Synonyms: — Abies orientalis,
Poiret; Pinus orientalis, \Ann7£\is', Abies Wittmanniana, hort.)
Mountains of the Taurus and Caucasus. 1839. — Although of
no particular value in an economic sense, yet for ornamental
purposes or for planting on poor gravelly soils where perhaps no
other member of the family could for long survive, this species
is well adapted. The habit is dense and somewhat formal,
though the branches ramify considerably, and usually the

GENUS PICEA. 77

appearance of fair-sized specimens is irregularly pyramidal.
Of a dark glossy green and slightly paler beneath are the
thickly arranged leaves, these being stiff and | of an inch in
length. Cones pendent, 2| inches long, by { of an inch in
diameter at thickest part, ovate-oblong, and tapering gradually
to a point. They are, in a young state, thickly covered with
resin, so much so that both the shape and size are quite lost
to view, this, however, ultimately disappearing. This tree
suffers much from stem-pruning ; indeed, more so than almost
any other of its tribe, resin oozing in quantity from the wound
long after amputation of a branch has taken place. The
timber is of fair quality, and resembles that of the Norway
spruce ; but the rate of production is slow, a height of 50 feet
having only been attained under very favourable conditions
in forty-three years. The tree being very sturdy and hardy,
is well suited for standing alone, even in exposed situations
where many other conifers would suffer considerably.

P. oriental is aurea has many of the branch-tips
suffused with greenish yellow. It is a worthy variety.

P. oriental is pygrmsea is of dwarf neat growth, and
makes an excellent border or rock shrub,

P. polita, Carriere. {Synonyms: — Abies Torano, Sie-
bold ; A polita, Siebold and Zuccarini.) Mountains of Japan.
1 861. — This is one of the handsomest and hardiest of the
Japanese conifers. The branches are stout and horizon-
tally arranged, the leaves long, curved, and four-sided, broad
at the base, tapering to a stiff point, and pale green in
colour. Cones 3|- inches long by i\ inches broad, at first
erect and pale green, but afterwards pendent and ruddy-brown
in colour. A distinguishing characteristic is the large, globose,
reddish-brown buds. The tree is of slow growth when
young, but after the age of about ten years it shoots away
freely, and is then a distinct and handsome specimen for the
lawn or park.

P. pungfens, Engelmann. {Synonyms: — Picea Parry-
ana commutata of gardens ; Abies or Picea Engelmanni of
gardens.) Mountains of Wyoming, Utah, and California. —

78 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

This is a very accommodating species, and one that has been
found well suited for ornamental planting in every part of
the country. It is of somewhat stiff outline, owing to the
rigid and horizontally arranged branches and branchlets,
while the stout, sharply-pointed leaves still further add to
the appearance. The leaves are in colour much like those of
the Douglas fir, and the cones are fully 2 inches long.

P. pungfens a.rg'entea is certainly the handsomest of
the spruces, while it is of good habit though bold and shapely
of growth. The pronounced silvery-tinted leafage is the
main character for which this variety is so justly remarkable.

P. pungfens g^lauca differs only in the rigid, sharp-
pointed foliage being of a beautiful, bluish-grey tint. It is a
highly interesting and choice variety, and being very hardy
and free of growth, can be recommended for planting where
less hardy conifers would not exist.

P- sitchenSBS, Carriere. {Synonyms: — Pinus sitchensis^
Bongard ; Abies Menziesii, Lindley; Pimis Menziesii, Douglas ;
Abies sitchcnsis, Lindley and Gordon.) Alaska to California.
1 83 1. — Planted in cool, moist loam and where not subjected
to long-continued and cold winds, this useful conifer thrives
well ; whereas when the soil is light and warm the foliage
becomes meagre in appearance, affected by red spider, and
almost semi-deciduous. When well grown, the appearance
of the tree is both distinct and desirable, the stiff and rather
irregularly disposed branches being thickly beset with vivid
bluish-green foliage. Individually the leaves are remarkably
stiff and sharp-pointed, bluish-grey above, and with two
silvery lines on the under side. When ripe, the cones are
russety-brown, nearly cylindrical, 3 inches long by i inch
diameter, and invariably bent or curved. The male catkins
are pendulous, and plentifully produced about the first week
of April, when they impart a most interesting and beautiful
appearance to the trees on which they are borne in quantity.
The timber produced in this country has no special claims
to distinction, being rough grained, though fairly durable.
According to the soil and site so will be the growth of the

GENUS PINUS. 79

tree, and I have known a specimen that was planted under
exceptionally favourable conditions to attain the height of 43
feet in twenty years.^

PINUS (Linn^us).
THE PINES.

Flowers monoecious ; males in catkins ; females solitary and
terminal.

Cones woody, conical in shape, usually ripening in the
second year.

Scales persistent and imbricated.

Seeds with a hard, bony covering, oval in shape, and
usually furnished with an ample wing, or wingless.

Cotyledons entire, variable in number.

Leaves in tufts, persistent, and in sheaths of two, three, or
five in number, seldom only one.

Evergreen trees or shrubs, with the leaves in tufts of two,
three, or five.

Pin US albicaulis, Engelmann. {Synonyms: — P.flexilis,
Murray ; P, cembroides^ Newberry ; P. Shasta ^ Carri^re ; P.
flexilis albicaulisy Engelmann.) Coast ranges of British
Columbia, Sub-Alpine belts of the Rocky Mountains and
Sierras. — In a young state this is a neat-growing tree of
rather pronounced conical outline, with the lower branches
horizontal and the upper ascending. The appearance of the
foliage is like that of P. cembra, being in colour a dark rather
sombre green, each leaf fully 2 inches long, but in this as well
as size of cone .it varies to a wide extent. Usually the cones
are 4 inches long, but I have seen other specimens from old
and stunted trees that were not half that length. It is of no
particular value for ornamental planting in this country, the

1 In a letter received from the Hon. Mark RoUe, P. sitchensis, P. morinda, and
several other species have, judging from the measurements given, done well, and
attained to large size at Bicton, in Devonshire,

80 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

oldest and largest trees usually wearing a curiously distorted
appearance, that is mainly brought about by the long, lithe,
and twisted branches.

P. Ayacahuite, Ehrenberg. {Synonym: — P. strohili-
formis, Engelmann.) Mexico, Guatemala. 1840. — This is a
distinct and beautiful species, reminding one, except in its
longer foliage and cones, of the better known P. Strobus. The
branches are whorled, and evenly arranged on the stem, while
the leaves, which are five in a sheath, and of a desirable
glaucous-blue tinge, are about five inches long, and produced
plentifully. The cone is strikingly handsome, that now before
me, a British-grown specimen, being 12 inches long and 2 J
inches in diameter at the widest part. It is cylindrical in
shape, produced on a J-inch long foot-stalk, and of a warm
brownish-yellow colour. The scales are ovoid, sharply-pointed,
with the tips recurved. I am now fully convinced, after seeing
specimens in various parts of the country, that the present
species is far more hardy than is generally supposed ; indeed,
the localities and conditions under which it at present suc-
ceeds so well in this country are not such as would impress
one as being extra well suited for the cultivation of tender
plants.

P. Balfouriana, Murray. California, Mountains in
Siskiyou County. 1852. — Although a distinct and in many
ways a remarkable species, yet, as far as my own observations
have extended, this must be considered as comparatively rare
throughout Britain. It is quite hardy, but of slow growth,
about mid-way in habit between upright and spreading ; and
owing to the thickly-arranged short tufts of leaves standing out
at right angles to the branches and only towards the tips,
these present a curious cylindrical or bottle-brush appearance.
The short, falcate leaves, five in a sheath, are each not much
over an inch in length, and of a soft shade of green, the inner
face alone having a silvery tone. The cones vary in length,
but are usually in the home specimens fully 2j inches, with
protuberant, slightly-hooked scales, and when quite ripe are
of a dark cinnamon brown ; this also being the colour of the

GENUS PINUS. 81

bark on the older portions of the tree. In this country the tree
is of neat growth, and though the annual increase in height is
quite slow, yet the leading shoot is preserved, and the branches
are regularly arranged for the full length of the bole.

P. BaSfouriana aristata, growing alongside the
former tree, is somewhat distinct, especially in the uniform
light green of the leaves, these also being, for the greater
part, longer than those of the species. The same arrangement
of foliage is noticeable in both.

P. Banksiana, Lambert. (^Synonym: — P. hudsonica^
Poiret.) North-Eastern United States and eastern slopes of
Rocky Mountains. — This is somewhat after the style of the
better known P. montana^ forming in this country a low,
straggling tree rarely naore than 20 feet in height. It forms no
continuous trunk, but instead a number of thickened, gnarled,
and twisted branches, the branchlets being sparingly supplied
with light green leaves, arranged two in each sheath. This
tree succeeds well in stony or rocky ground, for covering
which it has been found of value.

P. Bungeana, Zuccarini. North China. 1846.— Where
medium-sized conifers are desirable the present is certainly
one of the most interesting, and, when well grown, it is a
species of by no means unornamental appearance. In a young
state it is of narrow outline, but with age gradually becomes
more spreading, the lower branches lengthening out. The
latter are, however, very apt to die off if the specimen is at all
confined. The bark is light grey in colour, and peels off at
stated intervals, this being a peculiar characteristic of the
tree. The leaves are arranged three in a sheath, are perfectly
rigid, and not more than 4 inches long, and, owing to their
being tufted and a considerable space between each of the tufts,
an unusual but very distinctive appearance is thus imparted.
They are of a bright and pleasant green. The cones are ovoid,
2 to 2\ inches long, with flattish-topped scales terminated by a
small hooked prickle. The finest specimens that I have seen
are growing in peaty soil in the open portion of a woodland
in Ireland.

S2 Hardy coniferous trees.

p. Cembra/ Linnaeus. Mountains of Central Europe,
Siberia. — This is a beautiful tree of neat growth, perfect
hardihood, and one that succeeds in many soils and situations.
There is a good deal of difference in the habit of various trees,
some being of upright growth and others more spreading,but the
usual type has the branches short in proportion to the height
somewhat tortuous,and decidedly erect and appressed. Usually
the leaves are five in a sheath, though sometimes four or six,
stout and flexible, serrated at the margins, and nearly 3 inches
long. Cones erect, of a beautiful bluish purple when of full
growth but before becoming ripe, and varying much in size, but
usually from 3 inches to 4 inches long, and about half that in
diameter, and with large wingless seeds. The most suitable soil
is that of a deep rich loam on a porous subsoil, but the tree is in-
different in that respect, for many fine specimens are to be found
on gravelly and sandy loam if not too hot and dry, as also on
chalky soils. Although British-grown timber is excellent in
quality, yet the rate of growth of the tree is too slow in this coun-
try for it to be used at all extensively for afforesting purposes.

P- Cembra pumila (Kamtchatka and the Kurile
Islands) is of small, compact, and neat growth, as usually seen
in cultivation, and the foliage is more silvery than is the case
with the species generally. The leaves are thin, i| inches
long, and the cones remarkably neat, being i J- inches long by
I inch diameter. For confined spaces or rock-work this variety
is to be recommended, the height rarely exceeding 4 feet.

P. cembroideSi Zuccarini. {Synonyms : — P. Llaveana^
Schiede and Deppe ex Parlatore ; P. osteospenna, Engelmann.)
Arizona. 1846. — This is of no great value for the purpose of
ornament, and less so for the value of the timber it produces.
As generally seen, it is of contorted and dwarfed appearance,
with irregularly arranged branches, well furnished with nearly
erect-growing, stiffish leaves, each fully i^ inches long, and
bright green of colour. The cones are small, neat, and dull
brown, each about \\ inches long.

1 For a full account of Pinm Cembra and the variety, illustrated, see article of
mine in Woods attd Forest Sy March, 1885.

CElSrtTS PINITS. 83

P. cla,lisa., Vasey. {Synonym : — P. inops clausa, Engel-
mann.) Florida. — This bears a great resemblance to the
better known P. inops, which in this country forms a low
bushy tree of i6 feet, or thereabout, in height, the branch
spread being nearly as much. The leaves of the present
species are short and glaucous, arranged in twos, while the
plentifully produced prickly cones are persistent on the stem
and branches for many years ; indeed so persistent are they
that I have frequently seen them partially embedded in t*he
wood of the branches on which they are growing. It grows
in sandy barrens, and would no doubt be worthy of trial for
planting in similar places in this country.

P. COntorta, Douglas. {Synonyms: — P. Boursieri,
Carriere ; P, Bolanderii, Parlatore.) North-West America,
Alaska to California along the coast. 183 1. — Amongst
medium-sized pines, and for planting where ground space is
at all cramped, this species is valuable. The habit is irregu-
larly conical, the lower branches having no decided mode of
growth, but being short and spreading in almost every direc-
tion. In general appearance and foliage the tree bears some
resemblance to P. insignis, but is of duller foliage-tint, the
leaves arranged in twos, and thickly on the branches. Cones
are produced freely, they being ovoid-conical, 2\ inches long,
and greyish-brown in colour The scales are formidable, the
umbo being prolonged into a long, awl-shaped point. The tree
varies a good deal in this country, and I have seen specimens
which, from their depth of foliage colouring and neat narrow
pyramidal habit, were highly prized by their owner. Planted
in rough, stony, or rocky ground, it seems most at home, and
under which conditions I have known the annual rate of
growth to be 2 feet for several consecutive years.

P. Coulteri, Don. {Synonyms: — P. macrocarpa, Lind-
ley ; P. Sabiniana Coulteri, Loudon.) California. — This can
hardly be classed as even a second-rate ornamental conifer
in Britain, the shabby, meagre, tufted appearance of the
foliage and the betrayal of bare branches being out of
keeping with our ideas of a beautiful tree. Generally such is

84 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

the appearance of this species, although at times one may find
passable specimens. The leaves are usually arranged in
threes, but I have found them in fours and fives on the same
tree, though rarely ; stiffish, sharp-pointed, and lo inches long.
They are greyish-green, and for the greater part in clusters at
the branch tips. The cones are justly remarkable, being of
huge size and pretty colour, those from a home-grown tree being
each 8 inches long by fully 5 inches diameter at widest part,
and weighing about 2 lbs. They are conical-oblong, hard as a
piece of carved work, and of a pleasing and warm yellowish-
brown tint. For many years they remain closed, even when
kept in a warm room, the hooked scales, which are nearly an
inch in length, adhering firmly together. The tree is com-
paratively hardy in this country, and stands exposure well, as
the fine specimen at Southborough, in Kent, clearly shows.

P. densiflora, Siebold and Zuccarini. Japan. 1854.
— This is a distinct tree of massive and rounded contour, the
upward-pointing branches being thickly set, the foliage re-
minding one of the bright bluish-green of certain forms of the
Scotch pine, and to which, especially in a young state, it
bears a marked resemblance. The leaves are two in a sheath,
fully 3 inches in length ; and the cones, which are often produced
in small clusters, are 2 inches long, and of a light grey colour.
This pine cannot long succeed when planted on cold or stiff
soils, even although thoroughly drained, and I have known
several healthy specimens to die out from this cause. Shelter,
but not too close confinement, and light sandy loam, have
been productive of the finest specimens in this country.

P. edulis, Engelmann. {Synonym: — P. cembroides,
Gordon.) New Mexico, Colorado, Texas. About 1848. — In
this country the present species forms a bush-like tree, as wide
as it is high, which in a specimen at Penrhyn Castle in Wales is
16 feet. The trunk is short, with the main branches striking
out at a height of 4 feet, these again being much sub-divided.
The leaf arrangement is somewhat irregular, but usually there
are three in a sheath, though sometimes two, each about i^
inches long, and of a peculiar greyish-green colour. Cones

GENUS PINUS. 85

oblong-globose, usually several in a whorl, 2 inches long by
i| inches wide, and borne mostly in clusters of two, three, or
five ; the wingless seeds, which are J an inch long, closely re-
sembling those of P, Ceinbra. The cone scales are hard, thick,
and persistent, of a warm chocolate brown colour, and each
provided with a five-sided umbo, which imparts a rough and
uneven appearance to the cones. Rarely seen growing in this
country, but from its neat bushy habit, when planted amongst
rocky debris and in not too exposed situations, it certainly
merits attention. Probably it would succeed best by the sea-
side.

P. excelsa, Wallich. Temperate Himalaya. 1827. —
This commonly cultivated species is readily recognised by
the wide-spreading branches and wealth of long, pendulous,
silvery-green leaves. The branch spread is wide in propor-
tion to the height of the tree, and which, with the pendulous
foliage and pale grey bark, impart to well-grown specimens
a striking and pleasing appearance. The leaves are five in a
sheath, 6 inches long, slender and limp, the edges rough, and
of a desirable silvery-bluish tinge. For the cones, too, the
tree is remarkable, these being produced freely even by young
specimens, and owing to their great length and open char-
acter when ripe, and also to their peculiar yellowish-brown
colour, give to the tree a decided characteristic that is not
present in any other species. They are often as much as 8
inches long, by 3 inches diameter, and usually curved. For
planting in rich, damp loam, and where an amount of shelter
is afforded, this pine is valuable, but in too light soils and in
exposed sites it wears anything but a pleasing appearance.

P. flexilis, James. (^Synonyms: — P. Lambertiana,
Hooker ; P, Lanibertiana brevifolia, Lindley and Gordon.)
Eastern slope of Rocky Mountains, Montana to New Mexico,
Texas, Utah, Nevada, Arizona. 1851. — Not generally culti-
vated in this country. When young, the tree has a
Cembra-like appearance, but is far less symmetrical in branch
arrangement. The leaves are fully 2 inches long, glaucous
green, and plentifully arranged on the lithe and thin branch-

86 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

lets ; while the cones are 3 inches long by nearly 2 inches
through at the widest part.

P. Gerard iana, Wallich. North - Western Himalaya.
1830. — Though not generally hardy in this country, yet the
fact of several fine healthy specimens existing at various
places should be encouragement for a fair trial to be given to
this interesting species. Probably it is rendered of greatest
interest from the bark, as in P. excelsa, but to a much greater
extent, being of a light greyish tint, and peeling off in long
flakes. The leaves are long, about 5 inches, and stiff, while
the cones are nearly globose and \\ inches in diameter. The
largest specimens that I have seen are those on Sir William
Verner's property in North Ireland ; and anyone seeing these
would at once be impressed with their distinctive character-
istics and general hardihood.

P- gflabra, Walter. South Carolina, Florida. — In this
rare species the branches spread horizontally, and the branch-
lets are numerous, thus imparting a dense h;ibit to the tree.
The leaves are arranged three in a sheath, are slender, and from
2\ inches to 3! inches long. Cones ovate-oblong, 2 inches
long by I inch diameter at thickest part, and with relatively
short foot-stalks. They are generally solitary. The bark is
reddish-brown and furrowed lengthwise.

P- halepensis,^ Miller. Aleppo Pine. {Synonyms: —
P. viaritima, Lambert ; P. Abschasica, Fischer ; P. Pithy tisa,
Strangeways.) Mediterranean, Caucasus, Levant, Afghanis-
tan. 1763. — Though seldom seen in these Isles, yet there
are many maritime estates where this distinct species would
thrive well and form a handsome specimen.

In this country the tree is of rather upward mode of growth,
and well supplied with long slender branches and short branch-
lets. The leaves are silvery-grey in colour, arranged two in a
sheath, and about 2 inches long. Cones rounded at the base,
ovate in shape, 3 inches long by \\ inches diameter, and
placed on stout foot-stalks nearly i inch long. This pine

^ An article of mine, with illustrations of the Aleppo pine, will be found in
Woods and Forests, November, 1884.

GENUS PINUS. 87

has a light and airy appearance, caused by the branches being
rather scantily furnished with leaves, more especially on the
inner and lower portions, but this does not give a meagre or
unhealthy appearance, but rather that of a refined and un-
usual aspect. The rate of growth in this country is by no
means slow, the tree from which this description was taken
having reached a height of 45 feet in thirty years. For plant-
ing in sandy soil by the sea coast it ranks as a valuable species,
and has proved useful in this way both in Wales and Ireland.

P. Hartweg^ii, Lindley. {Synonyms: — P. Ehren-
bergiiy Endlicher ; P, Montezumce, Gordon.) Mountains of
Mexico. — Generally this is not hardy throughout Britain,
though here and there, particularly in Ireland, healthy speci-
mens are to be met with. I have seen it doing well planted
in an open field surrounded by woodlands and in free loamy
soil. The appearance of healthy specimens is very orna-
mental, owing to the beautiful glaucous green, almost silvery
leaves, which are arranged in tufts of five.

P. inops, Solander. Scrub Pine. {Synonyms: — P,
virginiana, Miller ; P. variabilis, Lambert.) North-Eastern
United States. — In this country, at least, the present species
cannot be ranked as an ornamental tree, the stout and twisted
branches, and generally unfurnished and straggling appear-
ance being the reverse of beautiful. The leaves are greyish-
green, produced plentifully, and two in a sheath. A rather
peculiar appearance is given to the tree by the prickly and
thickly produced cones, which are often found in whorls far
back on the branches, where they persist for many years.
One of the largest specimens I have seen is growing on
broken slaty rock with decayed vegetable matter, near the
Penrhyn Slate Quarries in Wales.

P- insig^nis, Douglas. Remarkable Pine. {Syno-
nyms : — P. radiata, Don ; P. tuberculata, Don.) California.
1833. — A handsome, fast-growing conifer, but unfortunately
one that in point of hardihood cannot everywhere be depended
upon. The ornamental character of this species is universally
admitted ; indeed, it might well be described as the most

83 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

dainty and greenest of all pines, while it is probably the most
rapid in growth. The leaves, two in a sheath, are slender and
threadlike, of a bright, clear green, and 5 inches long ; while
the cones are the same length, 2j inches in diameter, and of a
shining chocolate colour. It is certainly unfortunate that so
noble and beautiful a tree has not been found generally hardy
in these islands, and that it is, in consequence, but seldom
planted except in the south and west. It also suffers from wind-
waving, the head of foliage being heavy and the root-spread
narrow. Too much coddling should be dispensed with in the
cultivation of Pifiiis insig7iis^ as, being apt to start early into
growth, it suffers from our prevalent frosts in early May. A
plantation composed entirely of the tree has done well on
cold, late soil, and where freely exposed, in Sussex.

P. JefFreyi, Murray. {Synonym: — P. deflexa^ Torrey.)
California. 1852. — A noble-growing tree, with stiff, short
branches, placed far apart, and beautifully glaucous leaves,
about 10 inches long, arranged three in a sheath. The cones
are of a warm brown colour, 8 inches long, the bracts closely
packed, and each terminating in a blunt spine. There is
much general agreement in appearance between this species
and P. ponderosa, particularly in the arrangement and length
of branches ; but close examination will show that in the
P. Jeffreyi both leaves and cones are considerably longer.
It is quite hardy, free of growth, and succeeds well on lime-
stone or chalky formations.

P- Koraiensis, Siebold and Zuccarini. Korea, Kamt-
chatka, Japan. 1861. — This is a handsome and compact-
growing tree, that forms a neat lawn or garden specimen in
a short space of time. The branches are dense and short, and
the leaves glossy green above, and averaging 4 inches in length.
Cones 5 inches long, almost of equal diameter^ — 2\ inches —
throughout, and with the rich brown scales turned well back
at their points. For ornamental grounds this species is well
worth cultivating, the beautiful foliage tint and neat habit
being special recommendations. In this country it does well
in not too heavy nor damp yellow fibrous loam.

GENUS PINUS. 89

P- Lambertiana, Douglas. The Sugar Pine.
California, Oregon. 1827. — With its giant proportions,
distinctly glaucous green foliage, and large and beautiful
cones, this species must be considered as one of the most
ornamental of the genus. In England it has not usually
succeeded well, although that there are numerous beautiful
specimens would be folly to deny. It is of erect growth, the
trunk being heavy and well formed, while the branches have
a distinct horizontal, or, perhaps more correctly, downward
tendency in growth, with the tips upturned. The slender
leaves, arranged five in a sheath, are about 4 inches long,
of a distinct shade of green, and for the greater part tufted
near the branch tips. The cones are strikingly handsome,
being in home-grown specimens from 12 inches to 14 inches
long, cylindrical of shape, and with the bracts loosely arranged.
Two seeds are beneath each scale, these being J of an inch
long. The bark is light grey in colour, resembling, as indeed
does the whole tree, the better known P. strobus.

P, LariciO,^ Poiret. Corsican Pine. Dalmatia, Servia,
Thessaly. — Whether in an ornamental or economic sense this
must be considered as one of, if not the most, valuable species
that is cultivated in this country. It is of rapid growth,
succeeds well in many classes of soils, even in that of gravelly
composition, and produces a large quantity of excellent
timber. In point of ornament this pine occupies a front rank,
the finely rounded and perfectly straight trunk and thickly
foliaged branches being different to almost every other
species. The leaves are glaucous green, about 4 inches long,
and produced in twos ; while the light yellow cones are
3j inches long, by i^ inches in diameter, and tapering quickly
to the point. The upright habit, narrow branch spread, and
finely formed trunk, are points of special recognition, and
which make this species so well suited for general forest
planting. There are many varieties, the following including
the best known and most useful.

^ For monograph on the Corsican pine, and its value for afforesting purposes, by
the present writer, see " Transactions of the Royal Scottish Arboricultural
Society," vol. xii., part ii., 1886.

90 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

P- Laricio austriaca is readily distinguished by the
prominent light grey buds, shaggy dark green foliage and
well branched stem, the diameter of branch spread being
often nearly equal to the height of the tree. The leaves are
stiff and sharply pointed, fully 4 inches long, and produced
thickly in twos. In most respects the cones resemble those
of the species, but they are usually larger and of lighter colour.
For the purpose of shelter this is a valuable tree, and when
given plenty of room for branch-development it soon assumes
a broadly conical mass of dark, almost yew-green foliage.
The timber is rough in comparison with that of the species,
due mainly to the weighty branches, and contains a great
quantity of resin. It is an excellent seaside tree, and grows
with great vigour on chalky soils.

P. Laricio Karamana is of low and rounded growth
when compared with the species, the branches springing from
the main trunk at only a short distance from the ground.

P. Laricio Paiiasiana is of large growth, broadly
pyramidal in habit, and with stiff, bristling foliage, and large
cones.

P. Laricio pygfmsea is of dense, compact, and quite
dwarf growth, but of no particular value for ornamental plant-
ing, for which it is alone useful. The leaves are short and
tufted, and of a greyish-green colour.

P. long'ifoiia, Roxburgh. Himalaya. — This species is
rarely found in collections of conifers in the British Isles, it being
tender, unless in the most favoured localities. There are good
specimens at Penrhyn Castle, North Wales, and at Churchill in
the north of Ireland, thus showing that at least in certain dis-
tricts its hardihood can be relied upon. The trees that I have
seen are sparsely branched, probably from the distances apart at
which the various trees were grown, thus showing off the trunk,
the bark of which is of a light and warm colour. The foliage is,
however, very beautiful and remarkable, being 16 inches long,
of a silvery-green tint, and hanging in plumes from the branch
tips. When viewed from a distance, this pine has a striking
and very unusual appearance, from the great length and dis-

GENUS PINUS. 91

position of the foliage. In favourable places I have noted the
upward rate of growth to be lo feet in as many years.

P. Massoniana, Lambert. {Synonym: — P. sinensis,
Lambert). China. — As seen under cultivation in this country,
the present species is spreading, although neat in growth,
well branched when growing in the open, while the rich pea-
green of the foliage renders it a very distinct and pleasing
object. The leaves are stout, 5 inches long, bluntly-pointed,
and are borne two in a sheath, and these are so arranged that
the general appearance of the tree is rather light and graceful
than massive and dense. The cones are smaller than, but re-
semble those of, the Scotch pine, being hardly more than i
inch long, with a short, stout foot-stalk, and they are produced
singly at the tips of the branches, where they cannot readily
be seen amongst the long needles.

Cones are produced at a comparatively early age, and a
specimen under observation bore them when ten years old, at
which time the height was 12 feet. Being quite hardy, and
decidedly ornamental, this tree is worthy of being largely
planted for special purposes at least.

P. Massoniana aurea. — This has justly been re-
cognised as the best of golden variegated pines, the primrose-
yellow colour of the leaves being sharply defined, and the con-
trast with the bright green very marked. A great advantage
that it possesses over many other variegated conifers is, that
the yellow tint becomes all the more pronounced on trees fully
exposed to sunlight. As a specimen lawn tree this variety is
of great value. Grafted on the common Scotch pine, it does
well.

P- mitiSi Michaux. {Synonyms: — P. variabilis, Pursh ;
P, echinata, Miller ; P. T(Eda variabilis, Alton.) Eastern
United States to Florida and Texas. 1739. — This species
has no particular value here, whether in an ornamental way or
for the value of the timber produced ; though in the latter re-
spect it is one of the most precious of the North American
pines. After the first ten years have been passed this
tree seems to start and make headway in these islands, but

92 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

even then it cannot be called either beautiful or distinct. The
leaves are dark and dull of colour, 3 inches long, and arranged
two in a sheath.

It produces the " yellow pine " of commerce.

P- monophylla, Torrey. {Synonym: — P. Fretnon-
tiana, Endlicher). Sierra Nevada, Utah. — For planting in
grounds of small extent this tree has several valuable quali-
fications. It is of low growth, never more than 20 feet high,
strictly pyramidal when young, but becoming loose and
rather straggling with age, the foliage being thickly produced
and of an unusual and decidedly pleasing glaucous tint.
Even in the reddish, scaly bark there is something out of the
common with pines in general. The leaves are solitary and
rounded, very rarely in pairs, and when so, semi-cylindrical
and adherent for the greater part of the length, nearly 2
inches long, and of an oily or shining green tint. Contrasting
markedly with the glaucous green foliage are the reddish-
brown cones, each about 2\ inches long, with stout, thick scales,
and large wingless seeds. The seeds are delicately flavoured,
and supply the Indian tribes of the Sierra Nevada with an
important article of food. In this country, where the tree is
quite hardy, the finest specimens are growing on gravelly soil.

P. lTlonta.na,^ Duroi. {Synonyms: — P. silvestris mojztana,
Alton ; P. Mttgho, Poiret ; P. Pumilio, Haencke ; P. Mughus^
Scopoli ; P. sangiiinea^ Lapeyrouse ; P. tmcinata. Ram.) Sub-
Alpine districts of Central and Southern Europe. 1779. —
In gardens, under the above synonyms, the mountain pine is
freely distributed, but as the so-called species and varieties
are much alike, they are here classed under the present collec-
tive title of P. montana. The habit in this country is that of
a wide-spreading and much branched bush of rarely more
than 16 feet in height, many of the branches shooting out
from the main stem at only a short distance from ground
level, but with an upward inclination.

A distinctive feature of the tree is the very prominent

ruddy buds, as also the rich tint of the ample foliage, which is

^ For illustrated article of mine on P. montana^ see The Garden^ vol. xxx. i886.

GENUS PINUS. 93

of a very dark and pronounced shade of green. Each leaf is
fully 2 inches long, very stiff and stout, and closely arranged.
Cones are only sparsely produced in this country even by old
and well-established specimens, they being i^ inches long, and
greatly resembling those of the common Scotch pine. Being
quite hardy and very accommodating, this species has been
largely used in the formation of game coverts, and for plant-
ing rocky, almost soilless ground where few other shrubs
could succeed. For such purposes the spreading procumbent
growth and thick, massy nature of the foliage render the
tree peculiarly suitable.

P. Montezumae, Lambert. {^Synonyms: — P, occiden-
talism Humboldt ; P, Devoniana, Spach ; P. Russelliana^
Lindley ; P, pseudo-Strobus, Gordon.) Mexico. 1839. — A
rare and beautiful species, and one that varies much in almost
every particular. As seen in this country, it is broadly pyra-
midal in habit, well branched even to the ground, and supplied
liberally with bluish-green foliage, arranged in tufts of five. By
reason of the great length of the leaves, 6 inches, and unusual
shade of blue-green, a particularly striking aspect is imparted,
and the tree cannot well be confused with any other species.
The cones, which vary greatly in dimensions, somewhat re-
semble those of P. halepensis both in shape and size, they
being 3$ inches long by \\ inches diameter, and nearly smooth,
or without an extension of the scale beyond the limits of the
cone. As showing the variability in the size of the cone of
this species, I might mention that home-grown specimens
fully 4 inches long have been forwarded to me. It is to be
regretted that so distinct and beautiful a species is not
generally hardy in this country, for, except in the South or
West, it rarely succeeds.^

The so-called species, P. macrophylla, with longer leaves
and spiny cones ; P. Lindleyana, with shorter leaves and
smaller cones ; P. Wincesterianay P. Gordoniafta, and P.

^ P. Montezuma may be seen in vigorous growth, and about 40 feet high, both
at Fota Island, Cork, and in the Isle of Man. Mr. Farrant, from the latter place,
has furnished me with much useful information regarding such rare species as
Pinus patula^' Picea religiosa, and others that succeed well in that favoured spot.

94 HARDY CONlFEJlOUS TREES.

Grenvtllece, can only be recognised as forms of this very vari-
able species.

P. monticola, Douglas. Vancouver Island, British
Columbia, Oregon to California. 1S31. — A distinct and
beautiful hardy pine, that is well distinguished by its narrow
branch spread and silvery-green foliage. In a specimen of 80
feet in height the branch spread is only 18 feet, though ample
space has been allowed for development. The leaves are about
3 inches long, arranged in fives, rather rigid and rough on the
margin. Cones are produced plentifully all over the tree, and
resemble greatly those of P. Strobus, but they are smaller
generally, being 5 inches long, nearly 2 inches in diameter, and
cylindrical in shape. They are usually bent or curved. A
peculiarity of the bark is that it splits into square plates, but
is never ragged or untidy, and is of a pleasing ash-grey
colour on the younger, and darker on the older portions.
It produces timber rapidly, a specimen at Esher in Surrey
having attained to fully 70 feet in height in forty years, and
with a clean and well rounded bole that girths 7 feet at a
yard from the ground. In dampish, loamy, or sandy soil
it grows well.

As a timber-producing tree P. monticola is likely to attract
attention, the quality of that produced in two widely different
parts of this country being such as to warrant us in speaking
highly of it. The tree is very hardy, several of the healthiest
specimens I have seen being in the environs of Edinburgh.
A variety with stouter and broader leaves and having the
young cones purple instead of pale green as in the species,
has been named P. monticola porphyrocarpa (Murray).

P. muricata, Don. {Synonym: — P. Edgariana,
Hartweg.) California. 1846. — This is a very distinct tree
not only from the massive well-rounded top, but on account
of the large and informly arranged branches, which in most
specimens break out from the main stem at a few feet from
ground level. The thickly clustered, prickly cones, which
adhere so firmly to the stem and branches that a good knock
is required to free them, are unlike those of almost any other

GENUS PINtrS. 96

species, and form a speedy means of identification. They
persist for many years, and being arranged in whorls around
both stem and branches, have a very unusual and curious
appearance. The leaves are fully 4 inches long, bluntly
pointed, and slightly serrated on the margins. For planting
on rocky ground or even on poor sandy soils, this pine is
valuable, but it wants protection from rough winds, as it is
apt to get uprooted, the head being heavy in proportion to
the height and root spread.

P. OOCarpa, Schiede. {Synonyms: — P. oocarpoides,
Gordon ; P. Skinneri, hort.) Mexico, Guatemala. 1838. —
This is a beautiful species, much after another Mexican pine,
P. Montezumcs, but unfortunately it is not sufficiently hardy to
withstand the rigours of our climate, unless in the south and
west, and where good specimens of both are occasionally to
be met with. The present species is of rather broadly
pyramidal habit of growth, with the top wide, owing to many
leading growths shooting up, and it is well branched down to
the ground. The leaves are five in a sheath, rather harsh and
rigid, and of a pleasing but not very bright shade of green.
The cones are small and oval in shape.

P. palustris, Miller. {Synonym: — P. australis^ Mich-
aux.) Southern States of U.S.A. and Texas. — This is the
species, the timber of which, under the name of " pitch pine,"
is so largely exported to this country. Unfortunately it is
not a suitable tree for cultivating in these islands. It is of
upright growth, but straggling and meagre in appearance,
with long deep-green leaves, arranged three in a sheath.
Planted in dampish, well-drained loam, and under unusually
favourable circumstances, a few specimens have done fairly
well both at Penrhyn Castle and Woburn Abbey.

P- parviflora, Siebold and Zuccarini. Japan. 1861. —
Where a neat growing and well furnished conifer of medium
size is required, the present species will be found one of the
best All over the British Isles it does well, and has in many
places already attained to goodly proportions, and produced
both male and female cones in abundance. The habit of

96 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

growth is somewhat conical, with long and slender side
branches, that are well supplied with laterals. It belongs
to the five-leaved section, each leaf being fully 2 inches
long, inclined to become twisted, and of a beautiful glaucous
tint above, and distinctly silvery on the under sides, but the
depth of colouring varies greatly. The pretty purplish cones
are remarkably even in outline. They are 2 J inches long, by
i^ inches wide. In early spring the beautiful yellow catkins
are produced so plentifully that the tree wears quite a gay
and interesting appearance.

P- patula, Schiede and Deppe. Mexico. — A soft and
lovely tree, quite wanting in stiffness or formality, the long
and gracefully pendulous foliage rendering it distinct from
every other member of the family. It cannot be planted
wholesale, as the experience of past winters has convinced us
that, unless in the milder parts of these islands, its hardihood
cannot be relied upon. Usually the branches ramify much,
the branchlets being long and lithe, but even this does not
cause the stem to look naked or bare, as the long, soft, deli-
cately green leaves hang gracefully downwards for from 8 to
12 inches in length. The arrangement of the leaves is usually
irregular, sometimes three and sometimes four being contained
in one sheath. I have noticed that on the outer or exposed sides •
of the shoots the leaves are usually in threes, while on the inner
they are in fours. The cones, which closely resemble those of
the Austrian pine, are generally arranged in whorls of four, are
2 J inches long, by i J- inches diameter, incurved, and usually
pointing downwards. The bark of the branches is fawn
colour, that of the stem leaden-grey ; while an unusual appear-
ance is presented in spring by the long, sharp-pointed and
fluffy buds. This pine has succeeded from Edinburgh south-
wards, but the finest specimens I have met with are those in
Cornwall^ and the Isle of Man.

1 Both at Menabilly and Carclew, in Cornwall, many of the rarer coniferous
trees grow freely, and from the latter estate I have been sent fruiting specimens of
the rare and beautiful Pinus patula. Unfortunately this handsome Mexican species
has suffered much by the frosts of our late winters. The Carclew specimen is
fully 45 feet in height.

GENUS PINUS. 97

P- pat u la macrocarpa has larger cones than the
species, but otherwise the trees are much alike.

P. Peuke, Grisebach. {Synonyms: — P. excelsa^YiooVo^x \
P. excelsa, Peuke.) Macedonia. — This might well be described
as a dwarf form of the better known P. excelsa, but under
cultivation in this country the differences between the two
are so well defined and constant that it is preferable to con-
sider them as specifically distinct. In this country the tree is
of neat form, with abundantly produced foliage, each leaf 3
inches long, the pendent, quickly tapering cones, about 3 inches
in length by i-^- inches diameter at thickest part. From this
description it will readily be perceived that in size, length of
foliage, and dimensions of cones, P. Peuke differs sufficiently
from P. excelsa,

P. Pinaster, Solander. Cluster Pine. {Synonyms:
— P. maritima^ Poiret ; P. Laricio, Savi ; P. nepalensiSy
Royle ; P. Latterii^ Madden ; P. Helenica, Loudon.) Moun-
tains and sea coast of Southern Europe, the Levant, etc. —
For shelter-giving purposes, for planting amongst pure sand
on the sea coast, and on shingly gravel inland, this is one of
the most valuable species. It is a tree of giant proportions,
with huge, unwieldy branches, ponderous trunk, covered with
rough scaly bark, and usually a well rounded head of intense
green foliage. The leaves are stout and stiff, 8 inches long, and
produced in twos. A distinguishing characteristic of this pine
is the large and densely clustered cones, they frequently occur-
ring in groups of from 8 to 20, or more. Each cone measures 6
inches in length, and is of a warm cinnamon tint,the same colour,
indeed, as are portions of the freshly exposed stem bark. The
timber is of little value, but my experiments with it are recorded
fully in the chapter on timbers at the end of this volume.

P. Pinaster Hamiitonii is a very distinct variety,
but, unfortunately, one that has escaped the notice of planters
to a very great extent. The well branched stem, rounded
head, and distinct shade of green that pervades the foliage,
are all points of distinction that cannot be lost sight of when
comparing the variety and species. The leaves are shorter

G

98 Hardy coitiferous trees.

and broader, and the cones smaller and ovate rather than
truly conical, as in the species. A refined Pinaster, in which
the massive, easy appearance of that tree is substituted by a
formal and dressy aspect, explains well the character of the
present variety. It withstands long-continued storms with
almost perfect impunity.

P. Pinaster Lemon iana differs in the small erect
cones being for the greater part produced singly. The cones
are hardly 2 inches long by \\ inches diameter, and with
unarmed scales, or, in other words, are nearly smooth of sur-
face. Usually the tree is of small growth, with short leaves 3
inches long.

P- Pinaster prolifera. — This is not only a distinct
but very remarkable form of the cluster pine, while at the
same time, even under the very best cultivation, it cannot
otherwise be described than as an ugly, wretched-looking, and
ungainly tree. Some of the oldest specimens I have observed
were growing near the remote village of Pentir in Carnarvon-
shire ; but which, although ample room for development has
been allowed them, are no ornament to the position they
occupy, and in consequence several have already been re-
moved. The largest hardly exceeded 30 feet in height, and
all were remarkable for their contorted and half-dead appear-
ance, caused by the stout, tortuous branches having died
back, and yet remained in position for fully half the height
of the tree. The immense clusters of small cones adhering
to the long dead branches further added to the weird appear-
ance of these pines ; and in several instances I counted fully 60
cones in a single cluster of not more than i foot in length.
In some of the cottages these huge clusters of cones were
used as ornaments, that portion of the branch on which they
grow being inserted in a wooden stand, and the whole varnished
over. I counted 65 cones, each fully 2 inches long, in one of
these ornamental clusters. Even in colour and shape the
cones are exact miniatures of those of the species ; the leaves
are only about half as long, and the bark is of a very dark
brown colour and flaked.

GENUS piNtrs. 9§

p. PlneSLj Linnaeus. — The Stone or Umbrella Pine
of Europe. {Synonym : — P. maderensis^ Tenore.) Medi-
terranean region, Madeira, Canaries. — As usually seen in this
country, the stone pine forms a low-growing tree, the trunk
dividing into numerous large branches at 5 feet or so from
the ground, the extremities being thickly beset with foliage,
the contour assumed being a bushy head of rounded appear-
ance. The leaves, two in a sheath, are 4J inches long, and of
a warm, rich olive-green colour. Three years are required
for the full maturity of the cones, which are then of a light
reddish colour, 4 inches long by 3 inches in diameter. The
cone scales are stout, and remarkably hard, and with two large
wingless seeds beneath each, these being | of an inch long, and
containing a sweet and agreeable kernel. In the younger stages
of growth the tree is somewhat tender. Sandy or gravelly
soil suits it well. From samples of the wood of P. Pinea
that I have had cut up, both at Penrhyn Castle and Woburn
Abbey, it appears to be of fairly good quality, being light,
from the small quantity of resin it contains, and in colour
resembles the yellow pine of commerce.

P- ponderosa, Douglas. {Synonyms : — P. Bentha-
miana, Hartweg ; P. brachyptera, Engelmann ; P. Beardsleyi^
Murray ; P. Craigiana^ Murray ; P. Parryana^ Gordon.)
British Columbia, south and east, to Texas. 1827. — As an
ornamental tree much cannot be said in favour of this species,
the rather lax and tortuous branches, long foliage, and generally
gaunt appearance imparting to it more of the picturesque than
the beautiful. The leaves, which are almost wholly confined to
the branch extremities, are somewhat rigid, varying in length
from 8 inches to 12 inches, and of a dark glaucous-green
colour. Cones small and ovoid, about 5 inches long, and the
scales terminating in short, stiff spines. Generally hardy.

P. pseudostrobus, Lindley. Mountains of Mexico. —
Not hardy unless in very warm and maritime districts. It is
a handsome species of large and spreading growth, not unlike
P. Strobus^ but more silvery in appearance.

P. puns^enSi Michaux. Virginia, Carolina, and Pcnn-

loo HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

sylvania. 1804. — The whole contour of this tree is irregularly
spreading, with pale yellowish-green leaves, each 2^ inches
long, placed thickly on the branches. The cones give a very
unusual as well as formidable appearance to the trees, these
being yellowish-brown, and arranged in whorls around both
stem and branches. They are without foot-stalks, 4 inches
long, by 3 inches diameter at the base, and tapering quickly to
a sharp point. The scales are hooked. At only a few stations
in this country have I known F. puiigens to do at all well.

P. pyrenaicai Lapeyrouse. The Calabrian Pine.
{Synonyms : — P. Briitia, Ten ore ; P. carica, Don ; P. Loise-
leuriana, Carriere.) Mountains of Southern Europe, the
Levant, etc. — As seen generally in this country, the present
species cannot be ranked as ornamental, while it is frequently
confused with the totally distinct and far more valuable P.
Laricio pyre7iaica. The largest specimens of the true P.
pyrenaica that I have seen, and from which these notes
were taken, are growing on the Churchill property, in the
north of Ireland. They are of untidy, informal appearance,
with long and lithe branches, deep green, wavy leaves, /^\ inches
long, and smoothish oblong cones, the scales of which do not
project much beyond the general outline. By the sea coast it
does well, and puts on a healthier and more clothed appear-
ance than is the case when cultivated inland. The specimens
above referred to were growing in black moory soil.

P. resinosa,, Solander. {Synonym: — A r//^r^, Michaux.)
Newfoundland, Canada, to Pennsylvania. 1756. — This species
thrives in a fairly satisfactory manner generally throughout
the British Isles, It is of open character, the branches being
long, and with a naked appearance, from the leaves being
collected in tufts at their tips. The leaves are in twos, dark
green in colour, and nearly 6 inches long; while the warm,
cinnamon-tinted cones are each 2 inches long, and ovate-conical
in shape. For planting on thin, gravelly soils, this is a useful
pine, and has, in this country, been found well suited for mix-
ing with such species as P. Laricio^ P. silvestris, and P. Pinaster.
The timber is highly prized in Canada, where it is known

GENUS PINUS. 101

under the name of the red pine ; but in this country the
lasting properties of home-grown wood have not yet been
satisfactorily tested.

P, rigfida, Miller. American Pitch Pine. (^Synonyms :
— P. Loddigesii, Loudon ; P, Tceda rigida, Solander.) North
America. 1759. — A highly ornamental and useful conifer in this
country, and one that is singularly devoid of the stiffness and
formality for which many species are so remarkable. The
outline of the tree as generally seen in England, when allowed
room for development, is somewhat after the style of our
native species, the branches being arranged in no regular way,
some assuming a spreading and others a pendulous mode of
growth, and thus showing off the warm and pleasantly tinted
bark. The leaves are arranged three in a sheath, are from
31 inches to 4 inches long, stiffish, and rich green in colour.
In this country there are considerable differences in the length
and colour of foliage in different trees, due mainly, I
have noticed, to the soil and situation in which the particular
specimens are growing. The cones, which are produced in
groups of all numbers up to seven and eight, are 3 inches
long by i\ inches wide, and with the scales terminating in
small sharp-hooked spines. The tree is useful for growing on
poor sandy or gravelly soils where only a very limited number
of species could subsist.

P. Sabiniana, Michaux. California. — This species
can hardly be said to be quite hardy, the healthiest and best
grown specimens occurring either in Ireland or on the south
or west coast of England. It is a beautiful tree, but wears
a bare and naked appearance, from the fact of the foliage
being mostly in tufts at the branch tips. The peculiarly
graceful manner in which the tufts of foliage are arranged
rarely fails to attract notice, for they grow almost upright for
several inches, and then with the easiest grace fall backwards
and outwards almost in a circle from the point where they
originated, and for sometimes 10 inches in length. This
imparts a weeping and airy appearance to the tree that is by
no means readily explained, the foliage being of a rich bluish-

102 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

green hue. The cones are justly remarkable, for in the home-
grown specimens now before me they are not unlike large, fully
ripe pine-apples both in size and shape. Each cone is 8 inches
long by fully 6 inches diameter at widest part, hard as yew,
and the scales terminating in hooked points. They are of a
light brown colour, and contain nearly 300 seeds, which are
large and edible.

Light warm soils and well-sheltered situations must be
chosen for this handsome species.

P- Silvestris, Linnaeus. Scotch Pine. {Sytionyms : —
P. rubra, Miller ; P. Mughus, Jacquin ; P. rigensis, Des-
fontaines ; and many others.) Northern Europe and Asia,
Britain. — A well-known species of very variable habit. The
habit of the young tree is usually formal, the stem straight
and the branches regularly arranged ; but in old age, with
the loss of the lower branches and increase in size of those
near the top, the tree often presents a decidedly picturesque
appearance, which is still further enhanced by the warm
cinnamon brown of the bark. In the juvenile specimen the
leaves are longer and more silvery in appearance than when
the tree becomes advanced in growth. They vary in length
from 2 inches to 3 inches, and are arranged two in a sheath.
The cones vary greatly in size and shape, but are usually
from 2 inches to 3 inches long, and i to ij inches at widest
part. Both as an ornamental tree and for the value of
timber it produces, the Scotch pine will ever rank high with
planters. It is, further, of undoubted hardihood, a good
shelter-producer, and succeeds well on the thinnest and poorest
of sand and gravel. The timber is greatly affected by climate,
and that produced in northern Scotland is superior to what is
grown either in England or Ireland.

P- silvestris arg^entea. The silver-leaved Scotch
Pine. — This varies much in variegation, and many specimens
have only a tinge of the silvery-whiteness for which the best
variety is so much appreciated. The leaves of the young
shoots in particular are creamy-white, but this to some extent
gives way with the approach of winter.

GENUS PINUS. 103

P. silvestris aurea. The Golden Scotch Pine. —
Amongst the many varieties of the Scotch pine none can
equal the present either for free healthy growth or the beauti-
ful golden tint which pervades almost every part of the
foliage. The variegation is not inconstant, as is generally
supposed, but is markedly distinct the whole year through ;
but that there are worthless forms offered by nurserymen is
well known. This golden pine is beyond doubt one of the
most ornamental conifers we have, the deep bluish-green of the
normal foliage offering a marked and pretty contrast to the
rich golden-yellow of the variegated leaves. It grows freely,
a specimen that I have oft examined having for several years
kept pace with the species alongside which it was planted.

P- silvestris monopiiyila. — This must be ranked as
a very distinct, curious, and constant variety. At first sight
it may readily be recognised as a form of the Scotch pine, the
habit of growth being exactly similar, but the thin, open, and
airy appearance at once strikes one as out of the common.
This is due not to the leaves being produced singly, as the
name would indicate, but to the majority of the pairs of leaves
being united for almost their entire length, this imparting a
more open aspect to the specimen. The cones, comparatively
speaking, are sparsely produced, and decidedly more globular
in shape (shorter and thicker) than those of the species. The
tree stands exposure well, the largest specimen I have seen
growing in quite an open situation near Hemel Hempstead,
in Herts.

P. silvestris pygfmsea is a very dwarf, rounded bush,
with thickly arranged branches and comparatively short leaves.

P. Strobus, Linnaeus. The Weymouth Pine. South-
Eastern States of North America to Texas and Arkansas.
1705. — Both as an ornamental tree and for the quality and
quantity of timber produced in this country, the Weymouth
pine has received a considerable share of attention. It is
perfectly hardy, free of growth, and not over-exacting as to
the quality of soil in which it is planted. At a distance the
tree is readily recognised by its light-grey, feathery appear-

104 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

ance and smooth ashen-grey bark. The leaves, arranged five
in a sheath, are nearly 5 inches long, very slender, and of a
pleasing, soft, silvery-green tint ; while the cones are from 6
inches to fully 8 inches in length, usually bent or curved, and
when growing exude resin freely. In some of the woods at
Woburn Abbey, the Weymouth pine has reproduced itself
from seed in large numbers, and these seedlings have been
taken advantage of and utilised as forest trees.

P- Strobus nana, grows to 5 feet in height, and is of
dense globular habit when young, but apt to lose the lower
branches with advancing years, and then assumes a less com-
pact and pleasing appearance. The branches and branchlets
are short and slender, and the leaves 2 inches long, and pro-
duced thickly at the branch extremities.

P- Thunbergfii, Parlatore. {Synonyms : — P. stives-
trz's, Thunberg ; P. Pinaster^ Loudon ; P. rubra^ Siebold ; P,
Massoniana, Siebold and Zuccarini.) Japan. — This is a rare
tree in Britain, though in Cornwall and other warm maritime
places, as also at Kew, good examples may be seen. The
leaves are 5 inches long, rather tortuous, and deep green in
colour. The cones, both in shape and size, resemble those of
our common larch. All the specimens I have seen of this
tree differ from P. Massoniana^ with which it is sometimes
included. P. Thunbergii aurea is a desirable variety.

P- tuberculata, Gordon. Oregon and west side of
Californian coast ranges. — Amongst hardy or tolerably
hardy species the present should be included, for in many
parts of the country it has succeeded admirably, though in
others it has failed to become established. Usually it forms a
specimen of fully 20 feet in height, with a well rounded and
thickly branched head, the lower portion of the trunk being
destitute of branches, these after about twelve years' growth
gradually, with a portion of the foliage, giving way. The
leaves are bright green, nearly 6 inches in length, and the cones 5
inches long by 2 inches diameter at thickest part. The cones
arc produced in clusters, but sometimes straggling singly on
both stem and branches, and persist for many years, those on

GENUS PODOCARPUS. 105

a specimen at Penrhyn Castle having remained in position
and quite intact for fifteen years. The appearance presented
by the annually increasing cones is very singular and curious.

PODOCARPUS (L'Heritier).

Flowers dioecious, rarely monoecious.

Fruit drupaceous.

Seeds hard, covered with a bony shell.

Leaves differing greatly in shape and arrangement on in-
dividual trees — opposite, alternate, or scattered ; and linear
or oblong.

Cotyledons two, leafy.

Trees or shrubs with leathery dark green leaves, but ex-
hibiting great diversity of foliage. Natives of the temperate
zones of Asia, Africa, and America.

Podocarpus alpina, Brown. The Alpine Podocarp.
— Conifers from the Antipodes are not generally hardy in this
country, but at the present time this distinct and very interest-
ing Tasmanian conifer may be seen in excellent condition in
an old-fashioned garden in the neighbourhood of London,
and where it has stood unharmed for the past fifteen years.
It is of low-spreading growth, with but little inclination
to retain a leading shoot, the branches weak and pendulous,
and the foliage thickly produced, yew-like in appearance,
each leaf about \ an inch or i inch long, and dark green in'
colour. The prominent rib along the underside of the leaf is
always present. The fruit is about the size of a cherry, with
a single, bony-shelled seed within.

A very neat specimen of this highly interesting conifer has
been brought about by side-pruning and tying the main lead-
ing shoot to a support, and as it bears pruning well the
method is to be recommended when the flat-spreading habit
is wished to give place to that of more upright growth.

106 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

Young plants are readily reared by laying the side branches
in light sandy peat.

The Alpine Podocarp does very well when planted in light
warm soil, but must not be exposed to cold winds, as the
foliage then seems to suffer and become thinner and thinner
on the branches.

P. Chilina, Richard. {Synonym: — P. saligniiSy hort.)
Andes of Chili. 1853. — This species is perfectly hardy in
Southern England at least, and many fine examples may be
seen from London southwards. Though rarely exceeding 10
feet in height, it is of robust hardy growth, usually taking the
form of a dense bushy shrub of pyramidal outline. Near the
ground the branches are horizontal, but further up they have
a tendency to point skywards. They are well furnished with
branchlets, and these with leaves, each being nearly 4 inches
long by \ of an inch wide, and of a dark glossy green above,
somewhat paler beneath. As a pot plant, and for town
planting, it is particularly desirable. In many collections it
is known under the name of P. salignus ; and is a decidedly
ornamental and useful conifer for confined positions.

P. macrophylla, Don. Japan. 1804. — In situations
similar to those described for the latter this species forms
a pretty and interesting shrubby specimen. It is of rather
strict growth, the branches formally arranged, and the thinly-
produced foliage of a light greyish-green colour. Each leaf
measures 4 inches in length, and is distinctly marked with
two raised lines along the margins.

PRUMNOPITYS (Philippi).

PLUM FRUITED YEW.

T^r^zV drupaceous in a loose spike, ovate, and greenish-yellow
in colour.

Leaves shining green, slightly channelled on the under
surface, with a glaucous line on each side of the narrow mid-
rib.

GENUS PSEUDOLARIX. 107

Branches numerous, irregularly disposed, and covered with
brownish bark.

An evergreen tree of yew-like appearance. There is only
one known species, which has been referred to Podocarpus,
but Professor Philippi, who should know best, has placed it in
the present genus by itself

Prunrinopitys eleg^ans, Philippi. {Synonyms: — Podo-
carpus andina, Poeppig ; S tacky carpus andina, Van Tieghem.)
Chili, i860. — Though usually branded with the title of " half-
hardy," yet in England at least such can hardly be applied,
for the numerous fine specimens that are to be found around
London prove beyond a doubt that this coniferous shrub may
be planted with every chance of its succeeding well and form-
ing in a few years a desirable and interesting specimen. For
planting where ground space is limited, this conifer has proved
to be exceedingly useful, the slow rate of growth, neat, usually
pyramidal habit, and adaptability to the pruning-knife, all
rendering it of value for such situations. It also thrives satis-
factorily when planted in smoky and dusty localities, and may
sometimes be seen potted up and offered for sale in Covent
Garden market, it making a neat and effective pot plant, and
one which, unlike many other conifers, does not change colour
with the advent of winter. The leaves are thickly produced
and almost yew-green above, and slightly silvery on the
under sides, are flattened, fully J an inch long, and sub-
distichously arranged. In the fruit we have something out of
the usual way of coniferous trees, for these are bigger than
sloes, ovate in shape, almost transparent, and with the kernel
contained in a hard cherry-like stone. The largest specimen
I have seen was 18 feet in height.

PSEUDOLARIX (Gordon).

THE FALSE OR GOLDEN LARCH.

Flowers monoecious ; males in umbellate pendulous tufts.
Cones pendent, and composed of divergent scales like the
head of the common artichoke.

108 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

Seeds with a soft, thin coating, and more or less enclosed
by the wing.

Leaves soft and deciduous, scattered singly on the young
shoots, but collected in bundles on the adult plant.

Cotyledons seven.

A beautiful deciduous tree, differing from the larch in the
male flowers, being spike-like and in umbellate tufts, and in
the cones having deciduous scales with divergent points.

Pseudolarix Ksempferi, Gordon. The Golden Larch.
{Syno7iyi)is : — Larix Kcenipferi, Carriere ; Pinus Kcujupferi,
Lambert ; Abies Kcempferi, Lindley ; P. Fortunei^ Mayr.)
Northern China. 1846. — This is a rare and beautiful tree,
which, from the midland counties southwards, is perfectly
hardy. It is a distinctly ornamental conifer, and that at three
different periods of the year — early spring, when the tender
green leaves are unfolding ; autumn, when they put on the
lovely golden colour; and during the leafless period, when the
yellowish-green or golden-brown bark of the younger branches
shows off to perfection, and renders the trees distinct from
almost every other species in cultivation. In this country the
largest specimens have well-furnished stems of semi-pendent
branches. The leaves vary in length according to their posi-
tion on the tree, but are usually from i\ inches to 2 inches.
From home-grown specimens of the cones that have been
forwarded to me, the average size would be about 2 inches long
by 1 1 inches broad ; but with the age of the cone and opening
out of the scales the measurements vary much. They are
composed of a number of diverging scales, each i inch long
and half that in width, which, after the ripening of the cone,
soon fall apart. The tree succeeds well in not too stiff
loamy soil, and is by no means impatient either of shelter or
shading.

PSEUDOTSUGA (Carriere).

THE DOUGLAS FIRS.

Male flowers like those of Picea.

Cones pendent, persistent, ripening the first year.

GENUS PSEUBOTSUGA. 109

Scales persistent.

Bracts long, two or three-pointed.
Cotyledo7is varying in number from five to twelve.
Leaves stiff, flattish, bright green, and more or less acum-
inate.

Branches whorled ; bark on young shoots glabrous.

This genus was constructed for the Douglas fir, the habit
and foliage being nearly that of the silver firs, and the male
flowers like those of Picea.

PseudotSUgfa Dougrlasii,^ Carriere. The Douglas Fir.
(ySynonyvis : — Abies taxifolia, Poiret; Pimis taxifolia, Lambert ;
Pinus Douglasii, Lambert ; Pseudotsuga taxifolia, Britton ; A bies
DouglasUy Lindley ; Picea Douglasii, Link ; Tsuga Douglasii,
Carriere.) British Columbia to Colorado, Texas and Mexico.
1827. — Whether planted singly or in clumps, this tree is highly
effective, the giant proportions, easy and graceful outline, and
thickly-foliaged branches, of the deepest and richest green,
being special points of attraction. Although perfectly hardy
everywhere in this country, yet the Douglas fir cannot stand
exposure to hard-blowing winds, the leader and upper branches
under such conditions suffering greatly, and in many instances
becoming almost destitute of foliage. The production of
timber goes on at a rapid rate, and in this respect the tree is
surpassed by no other grown in this country, fully 5 cubic
feet per year having been produced over a period of fifty
years. The timber too is of good quality, and the results of
numerous experiments which I instituted for the purpose of
testing this have been very satisfactory, and will be found in
the chapter Timber of Coniferous Trees. When standing
alone the tree has a tall, straight, and very gradually tapering
trunk, the branches, which are horizontally arranged and de-
creasing in length upwards, being retained in a healthy
condition down to ground level. The leaves vary in length

^ A monograph on the Douglas fir, by myself, will be found in the "Transactions
of the Royal Scottish Arboricultural wSociety," vol. xi., part ii., 1886.

no tlARCY CONII'EROtJS THREES.

from I inch to li inches; while the freely-produced cones
are pendent, 3 inches long by half that in width, and the scale
bracts protruding for fully J an inch. With regard to soil,
the largest specimens in this country are growing on gravelly
loam. A new Douglas fir has recently been discovered in
Japan, at an elevation of about 2,000 feet. It is described as
of erect growth, with horizontally arranged branches.^

P- Doug^lasii pendula has the strictly drooping
branches too stiff and straight to be classed as ornamental.
It is, however, a very curious and interesting variety.

P. Doug^lasii Stairii is a beautiful variety in which the
variegation is constant and well diffused, while the constitu-
tion is robust and the rate of growth rapid. Generally the tree
is of a light yellow colour in spring, the young growths, for a
time at least, quite hiding the darker tints of the older foliage.
In no other respect does this variety differ from the species.

P. Dougflasii taxifblia is a pronounced and decidedly
distinct form of smaller and hardier growth, and so far likely
to turn out a more useful tree for general forest planting
in this country than the typical species. The tree is of sturdy
and much slower growth than the parent, while the foliage is
of a darker green and more massive. To be recommended
for afforesting purposes.

SAXEGOTHEA (Lindley).

PRINCE ALBERT'S YEW.

Flowers monoecious ; male flowers in stalked cylindrical
spikes ; females in globular heads.

Fruit composed of thickened scales, formed into a some-
what fleshy cone.

Seed inverted, and springing from a cavity towards the
middle of the scales.

Leaves resembling those of the yew.

An evergreen shrub of yew-like appearance.

'See "Tokyo Botanical Magazine," February 20th, 1895, for description and
figure of the Japanese Douglas fir.

GfiNUS SCIADOPITYS. Ill

Saxeg'othea conspicua, Lindley. Prince Albert's
Yew. Southern Chili. 1849. — This is a sonaewhat tender
shrub, of low-spreading and irregular growth, and only suited
for planting among light rich soil and in fully sheltered situa-
tions. It resembles the common yew except in the colour of
foliage, which is much lighter, being in well-grown plants a
greyish-green or silvery hue. The leaves are thickly produced
and pointing forwards, each i inch long, and marked with two
silvery lines beneath. One of the healthiest specimens I have
seen was growing in light moory soil, and in a situation
sheltered from cold winds.

SCIADOPITYS (Siebold and Zuccarini).
THE UMBRELLA PINE.

Flowers monoecious ; male spikes terminal ; anther lobes
two.

Cones solitary, elliptic or cylindrical, and obtuse at the ends-

Scales and bracts united into a lobulated mass, leathery,
thin, and imbricated.

Seeds arranged in sevens under each scale, two-winged, and
with a leathery covering.

Leaves twenty to thirty in a whorl, of peculiar structure.

This genus is at once remarkable in the verticillate rays of
foliage, these being arranged in umbrella-shaped whorls.

Sciadopitys verticil lata, Siebold and Zuccarini.
The Umbrella Pine of Japan. Japan. 1861. — An interesting
and highly ornamental tree that has done well, when planted in
suitable soil, in almost every part of the country. Its special
requirements are leaf soil or peat and an abundance of quickly
passing away moisture. In this country the rate of growth is
slow, but this is to a great extent counterbalanced by the
strong though short shoots annually formed, and which
become well ripened off before winter sets in. The form of
growth is conical, the branches stiff and twiggy, with tufts of
deep green foliage near the tips. Leaves arranged in double
whorls, each leaf being 3J inches long, leathery in texture,

112 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

and with two ribs. The cones vary in size up to 4 inches in
length by fully half that in width. This is a distinct and
desirable conifer, one that is hardy everywhere, and which
well merits extended culture, from an ornamental standpoint
at least.

SEQUOIA (Endlicher).

Flowers monoecious ; males in terminal, stalked, oblong
heads.

Cones ligneous, sub-globular, and small.

Scales and bracts united, and forming a woody, wedge-
shaped mass.

Seeds from three to nine under each scale, winged.

Leaves scattered, appearing in two rows.

Large-growing evergreen trees from California and North-
west America.

Sequoia gfigrantea, Torrey. The Wellingtonia or
Mammoth Tree. (^Synonyms: — Wellingtonia gigantea, lAnd-
ley; Sequoia Wellingtonia, Seemann.) Western side of the
Sierra Nevada Mountains. 1853. — Although of stiff and
formal appearance, yet from its massive proportions and
brightest of green foliage, the mammoth tree ranks high
amongst ornamental conifers. As a timber tree it is not likely,
to attract attention in this country, it being ill fitted for
withstanding cold winds, and in consequence unsuitable for
entering into the composition of any but the most sheltered
woodlands.

The tree has been in past years planted largely in our
parks and gardens for ornamental effect, but with advancing
years the aspect becomes less and less pleasing, and in conse-
quence large numbers have been cut down and their places
filled by other and more suitable kinds.

The trunk is straight, usually carrot-shaped, with brownish,
stringy bark, and well supplied with slightly drooping
branches and branchlets, the whole contour being sharply
conical. Usually the leaves are spirally arranged and loosely

GENUS SEQUOIA. 113

imbricated. The cones are obtuse, and vary much in size, but
are usually about 2 inches long.

S. gfigfantea a,urea. is a distinct variety, but unfor-
tunately, one that cannot be relied upon in so far as perma-
nency of colouring is concerned, the beautiful golden-yellow of
the branch tips of the juvenile plants gradually giving way
with advancing age. I have seen several very beautiful speci-
mens of this golden Wellingtonia, and if the character was
constant the tree would be well worth cultivating for purely
ornamental purposes. The best form I have seen was sent to
me by Mr. Baylor Hartland, from Cork.

S. g'igfantea pencSu la-— Certainly one of the most
curious of all conifers is the subject of the present note. It
cannot be described as ornamental, at least when of large size,
though young specimens are sufficiently curious and distinct
to warrant more than a passing notice. As seen from a
distance against the sky line, old trees have a very singular
appearance, the long, pendulous, and irregularly-produced
branches imparting an outline such as one rarely sees, unless
associated with an isolated specimen that has for long been
stranded on an exposed mountain side. Young trees are far
more shapely and pleasing in outline, and though they cannot
be described as ornamental, yet they are so very distinct that
their presence in the park or garden is quite desirable. In all
the specimens I examined the branches spring out directly at
right angles to the main stem for a distance of about 3 inches,
then turn abruptly downwards parallel and close to the
stem for, in many instances, a distance of 4 feet. The foliage
is quite normal, and the cones are i^ inches long, by fully i
inch wide, and placed on a branch-like foot-stalk hardly | of
an inch long. A specimen about 30 feet in height may be
seen at Berkhampstead, in Herts.

S. sempervirens, Endlicher. The Redwood of Cali-
fornia. {Synonym: — Taxodtum sempervirenSj Lambert.) 1846.
— A noble tree, that, when suitably placed, produces a large
quantity of valuable timber in this country. Like the former
species, it requires a certain amount of shelter, else the foliage

H

lU HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

becomes thin and the tree stunted and starved in appear-
ance.

When seen under favourable circumstances the redwood is
of informal pyramidal appearance, with a well-formed trunk
covered with thick, spongy, reddish-brown bark. In young
trees the leaves are long and linear, while in those of older
growth they are usually closely appressed, and of as deep a
colour as the yew. The cones are about half the size of those
of the former species.

In deep and rich soils, and where shelter is afforded, the
redwood in this country is of truly noble growth, many speci-
mens being over 80 feet in height, and with trunks over 4 feet
in diameter. Unlike the generality of coniferous trees, the red-
wood sends up suckers from the base of the stem, and in conse-
quence has been planted for coppice wood in Southern England.

S. sempervirens adpressa. — This is a distinct
variety, with short, thick, and closely appressed leaves, which
are of a very conspicuous shining bluish-green colour.

S. sempervirens alba spica has many of the
branch tips of a yellowish white tint, but it is patchy, and of
no particular value.

TAXODIUM (Richard).
THE DECIDUOUS CYPRESSES.

Flowers monoecious ; males in branched catkins ; females two
or three together near the base of the spike of male flowers.

Cones globular, with thick peltate scales.

Seeds two at the base of each scale, erect, angular, and
wingless.

Leaves deciduous, in two rows, flat, and linear.

Cotyledons from four to nine in number.

Large-growing, swamp-loving trees, with deciduous foliage.

Taxodium distichum, Richard. The Deciduous Cy-
press. ( Synonyms : — Cupressus disticha, Linnaeus ; T. microphyl-
lum, Brongniart ; T, adscendens, Brongniart.) Southern States
of America. About 1640. — This is a tree of great beauty, the

GENUS TAXODIUM. "" '"^115

'^

soft, feathery foliage, which during summer is of a cheerful
pea-green, slowly changing as autumn advances to a deep red,
rendering it distinct from every other conifer in cultivation.
Even during winter, when leafless, the tree is very attractive,
for the highly-coloured bark of the branches and twigs is re-
splendent in the evening sunshine, and seen at a short way off
appears as if all aglow. It is specially adapted for planting in
swampy ground, by the lake or pond side, or on small islands,
thriving under such conditions in a manner that is quite sur-
prising. The habit of growth differs with the age of the
specimen, young trees up to 25 feet in height keeping to the
almost strictly pyramidal, while in many old specimens through-
out the country the spread of the head is equal to, if not sur-
passing, that of any other portion. The foliage is always of a
light and airy appearance, the pinnate leaves being arranged
in horizontal rows on each side of the midrib. Thsy vary in
length even on the same twig, but are usually fully \ an
inch long, closely arranged, and somewhat arching, with the
convex side outwards. The cones are not freely produced, but
home-grown specimens that I have collected are § of an inch
long, nearly the same in greatest diameter, and bearing small
three-sided seeds. The Deciduous Cypress is remarkable in
producing root protuberances, known as cypress knees, these
sometimes in this country reaching to 2 feet in height, par-
ticularly when the tree is growing in a swampy situation.

T- mucronatum, Tenore. {Synonyms: — T. Monte-
znmce, Decaisne ; T. mexicanwn, Carri^re ; T. distichum
inexicanum, Gordon.) Mexico. — This tree is amply distinct
in cultivation from the hardier and more widely grown T.
distichum^ but with which it is often mixed up. It is of far
more refined growth than that species, if I may use the ex-
pression, the branches and branchlets being shorter, more
slender and horizontally arranged, and the foliage less abun-
dant, and of a fresher green. The tree, too, is of much smaller
growth, far more uniform in its branch arrangement, and with
a very narrow spread in proportion to the height, this latter
being a distinguishing characteristic. It is when the two

116 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

species are growing side by side that the differences can best
be detected, and this is markedly the case both at Penrhyn
Castle, North Wales, and Hohvood Park, in Kent.

TAXUS (Linnceus).
THE YEWS.

Floivers usually dioecious ; stamens in stalked heads ;
anther scales peltate.

Fruit solitary, one-seeded.

Seed erect, and borne in a fleshy open cup.

Leaves two-ranked, linear, and decurrent.

Cotyledons two, flat and leafy.

Evergreen trees or shrubs, with two-ranked leaves, and the
seed borne in a fleshy cup or aril.

Ta.xus baccata., Linnaeus. The Yew. Europe and
Northern Asia, Britain. — This is a native tree, of about 40 feet
in height, with a short, thick, and deeply-fluted stem, and a
spread of branches often exceeding the height. It is a very
accommodating tree, unusually large specimens being found
growing where hardly a couple of inches of loam overlies the
chalk formation, on rocky soils, shingly gravel, but best of all
on good, sound, dampish loam, and on which latter it attains
to largest dimensions. In the formation of evergreen hedges
or for planting beneath the shade and drip of larger growing
trees, the common yew is of particular value, and notwith-
standing its rather gloomy appearance, is at the same time a
decidedly ornamental evergreen tree, and one that imparts a
rich and warm aspect to the landscape wherever it is used.
Being of unusually slow growth, the annual layers of wood
are comparatively thin and closely arranged, thus rendering
the graining remarkably fine, which, coupled with the deep
reddish tint of the wood, causes it to be largely employed for
constructive purposes. When grown in the open, the tree is
usually well furnished with branches almost to ground level,
the branches being much sub-divided, and the ramifications

GEI!TUS TAXUS. 117

well furnished with dark green leaves arranged in two lateral
double rows. The leaves vary in length, but are usually about
I inch, with a prominent midrib, and tapering to an acute
point. Fruit bright scarlet, oval or rounded in shape, and en-
closing partially a small brownish nut. Whether when
covered with the pollen-bearing receptacles in spring or the
bright ruddy berries in winter, the tree is highly attractive and
ornamental. The following are the most distinct varieties.

T. baccata adpressa. — One of the most distinct of
the many varieties, the broad and short leaves rendering re-
cognition by no means difficult. It is of spreading growth,
with short, sub-horizontal branches, and very dark green
leaves, arranged in double rows, and inclined upwards and
forwards. Each leaf is about ^ an inch long, and obtusely
pointed, while the fruit is vermilion red, the cup usually only
half covering the ovoid seed. By many authors this has been
described as a species, but, although very distinct both in
leaves and fruit, yet the fact of certain specimens that have
come under my own notice containing both branches of the
species and T. b. adpressa^ clearly proves the parentage.

In reply to a letter of mine, the late Mr. F. Arthur Dickson,
of the Chester Nurseries, writes as follows regarding the
present shrub : — " This yew was discovered by my father, the
late Mr. Francis Dickson, somewhere about 1838. It was
growing in a bed of seedlings of the common English yew.
It is therefore undoubtedly a seedling sport. Being of slow
growth, it was necessarily slow of propagation, and it took
many years to get up a stock upon the grounds of the then
firm of F. & J. Dickson, of which my father was the head.
I well remember the value my father set by this plant, and
his chagrin and vexation when, on his return home after a few
days' absence, he learned that a representative of the late firm
of Knight & Perry, nurserymen, Chelsea, had, in looking
over the nurseries, purchased and taken away with him some
half-dozen good-sized plants, as the result of negotiation with
an inexperienced salesman, who was presumably ignorant of
the value of the plants. This enabled the Chelsea firm to

118 HARDY CONrFEROUS TREES.

propagate the plant, and, if I remember rightly, the specific
name " adpressa ' was given to it by Knight & Perry, but
my father always adhered to the name he had originally given
it — ' brevifolia.' " In order to avoid confusion, I have retained
the name by which this distinct variety is commonly known.

T. baccata adpressa erecta differs from the pre-
ceding only in being of partially erect growth.

T. baccata adpressa varieg^ata is a valuable
variety, in which many of the branch tips are of a silvery-
golden tint.

T. baccata aurea is one of the most striking of the
many varieties, it being always bright, brilliant, and effective.
The leaves for the greater part are of a bright golden-yellow,
and especially so during the growing season. It is of free
growth, and admirably suited for planting in clumps in front
of darker foliaged subjects.

T. baccata Cheshuntensis is of partially upright
growth, with small, closely-arranged leaves, that are dark
green above, glaucescent beneath, and long-pointed. It is a
graceful variety, of strict but informal growth, and was raised
from seed of the Irish yew.

T- baccata Dovastonii. — This is a remarkable creep-
ing variety, the branches being long and partially horizontal,
and the branchlets gracefully drooping. The leaves are
relatively larger, more curved, and of a deeper shade of green
than those of the species. T. baccata Dovastonii aurea variegata
is well described by the name.

T. baccata elegrantissima is of dense, upright
growth, with whitish or pale yellow thickly produced leaves.
The neat habit and constant variegation render it a desirable
and ornamental variety.

T- baccata erecta. — A not very elegant variety,
having erect-growing slender branches and small glossy green
leaves, arranged for the greater part in two rows.

T. baccata ericoides (empetrifolia) is of neat and
small growth, the branches slender and close set, and the
leaves very small and closely arranged. The reddish bark of

GENUS TAXUS. 119

the branches showing here and there through the deep green
foHage has a pleasing effect.

T> baccata fastigiata is a well-known and justly
popular variety that originated in Ireland — hence the popular
name, Irish yew, that has been bestowed upon it. The habit
is strictly fastigiate, the branches short, stout, and close-grow-
ing, and the leaves of a deep green, and scattered around the
branchlets.

T- baccata fastigiata arg^entea differs principally
in the yellowish-white tint of the younger branch tips and
some of the leaves, but owing to its inconstant variegation
has not been largely planted.

T. baccata fastig^iata aurea is a very desirable
variety, in which many of the leaves are margined with golden-
yellow, or the young shoots wholly suffused with the same
colour. It is a useful and desirable variety.

T. baccata fructo-luteo (Yellow-berried Yew) is at
once remarkable for the berries being yellow instead of red,
as in the species. It is a very ornamental variety, with
divaricated branches, and rather short, sharp-pointed leaves,
which are usually more or less curved. Being of vigorous
growth, with pleasing green foliage and bright yellow fruit,
this variety is worthy of extended culture.

T- baccata Jackson ii is an interesting variety with
curiously twisted leaves, which are altogether smaller than
those of the species. It is of weeping habit, and forms a neat
small-growing shrub with distinct light green foliage.

T. baccata nana, as the name denotes, is of dwarf
growth. The habit is compact and upright, dense of growth,
and the foliage comparatively smaller and darker in colour
than that of the species. It is a useful shrub for many posi-
tions, and though rarely rising more than a yard from the
ground, has a wide spread in proportion to the height.

T- baccata Nidpathensis. — This variety, as usually
seen, is of columnar habit, with an inclination to become
spreading at the head. The leaves are small, closely arranged,
and of a bright and glossy green.

120 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

T> baccata nigra, is remarkable for the dark green
of the upper, and bluish-green of the under sides of the leaves,
the latter particularly rendering the shrub unusual amongst
the numerous varieties of the yew. It is of bold and rather
upright growth, and has a decidedly ornamental though
somewhat sombre appearance when viewed from the distance.

T. baccata p roc um bens spreads to a wide extent,
and is useful for covering bare or rocky ground. The foliage
is bright green, and the bark usually of a dull cinnamon colour.

T- baccata Washingrtonia has the foliage diffused
with a bright bronzy-gold tinge, which makes full-grown
specimens very distinct and attractive. It is of free growth,
and succeeds best when fully exposed to both wind and sun.

T. brevifolia, Nuttall. {Synonyms: — T. Bourserii^
Carriere ; T. Lindleyana^ Murray ; T. baccata canadensis,
Bentham.) North-West America, British Columbia, to Cali-
fornia. 1854. — A very distinct species with foliage shorter,
h'ghter in colour, and more feathery than that of our native
species. The leaves vary much in length, but are usually
about 4 of an inch, stout, and rounded at the apex. In this
country T. brevifolia takes the form of a spreading bush, the
lower branches ramifying and extending to a distance dis-
proportionate to the height. The branches are thinly pro-
duced when compared with those of our common yew, and
this, with the shorter leaves and yellowish-green colour, render
the tree by no means difficult to recognise. It should not be
confused with the short-leaved variety of T. baccata.

T. canadensis, Willdenow. {Synonym: — T, baccata
canadensis. Gray.) Canada and North - Eastern States of
America. About 1800. — A low-growing and far-spreading
species, with smaller and lighter coloured foliage, and bearing
berries that are of much less size than those of our native
species. It is rare in cultivation.

T. CUSpidatai Sicbold and Zuccarini. Mountains of
Japan. — An uncommon species, that is at once distinguished
by its irregular and open outline, and broad, leathery leaves.
It is of no special value for ornamental planting.

GENUS THUYA. 121

THUYA (Linnaeus) — including Biota and Thuyopsis.
THE ARBORVIT.es.

Flowers moncecious ; male catkins oval ; females solitary
and terminal.

Cones small, oblong or globular ; scales thickened upwards,
valvate, and from six to ten in number.

Seeds usually winged, in twos at the base of the lowermost
or middle pair of scales.

Cotyledons two.

Evergreen trees or shrubs, with appressed leaves and
usually oblong cones. The seeds are winged on both sides,
unless in the old genus Biota, in which this appendage is quite
wanting.

Thuya dolabrata, Linnseus. {Synonym: — Thuyopsis
^^/^^n?/**^, Siebold and Zuccarini.) Mountains of Japan. 1853.
— For ornamental planting this conifer holds an important
place, its distinctive characteristics and the readiness with
which it may be cultivated being generally recognised. In
this country it forms a handsome conical specimen, with
vertical branches and drooping branchlets, the latter numerous
and much compressed. The leaves are flat and scale-like,
regularly imbricated, of a rich, shining, green above, and
silvery beneath. The cones are sub-globose, and nearly f of
an inch in diameter. It prefers rich moist loam or peaty soil,
and does not object to grow where shaded and hemmed
in by taller-growing trees. Shelter from cold winds is
imperative.

T- do lab rata r\2LX\^ {Synonym: — Thuyopsis Icetevirens,
Lindley). The Dwarf Japanese Thuya. — This is a slow-
growing, miniature bush, with comparatively small light
green foliage, more resembling a lycopod than a conifer.
The average height of a large number of old specimens
that I examined was only about 20 inches, while the
spread of the branches was nearly 3 feet. All are remark-
able for their tidy and uniform habit of growth, forming

122 HARDY COiTlI'EROUS TREES.

dense, compact specimens, yet not stiffly so, as is the case
with many pigmy conifers. The affinity between the species
and this variety is readily recognised, but the foliage of the
latter is altogether thinner, and more flaccid, and of a much
h'ghter and more silvery-green than that of the parent. It
is a useful shrub for the rock-work or confined border, and the
silvery-tinted foliage makes the plant remarkable and pleasing.

T. dolabrata varieg^ata is a praiseworthy variety,
and one that in point of vigour of growth surpasses the
parent, while at the same time it is far less inclined to form a
multiplicity of leading shoots. It is of upright growth, the
branches regularly arranged, and the branch tips clearly and
distinctly marked with a rich golden-yellow.

T. gfig^antea, Nuttall. The Giant Arborvitae.' {Syno-
nyms: — Thuya Lobbi of gardens; T, Menziesiiy Carriere ;
T. Craigiana of gardens.) Alaska to California, and Western
slopes of Montana. 185 1. — A handsome and useful timber
tree in this country, and one that is perfectly hardy everywhere,
and of the freest growth. The quality of timber produced in
England warrants us in speaking highly of this conifer for
afforesting purposes, it being light, firm, and of good lasting
quality ; but it is well to remember that many worthless slow-
growing forms of the tree have of late years crept into circula-
tion. The tree, too, is very non-exacting as to the quality of
soil in which it is planted, and also succeeds well on
exposed ground. As an ornamental tree it likewise deserves
attention, the free growth and distinct shade of green which
pervades the foliage lending to it a peculiarly distinct and
pleasing appearance. The trunk is straight and of gradual
taper, the branches evenly distributed, long and lithe, and the
branchlets numerous and thickly supplied with dark green
foliage. The cones are small, about J of an inch long, oval in
shape, and generally produced plentifully on the upper sides
of the branches, where they stand almost erect. Usually the

^ A monograph on The Giant Atborvita^ by the present writer, will be found
in the ** Transactions of the Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society," vol. xii.,
part ii., 1889.

GENUS THUYA. 123

spread of branches Is narrow in proportion to the height of
the tree, while the long annual growth causes these to be
placed far apart on the stem. There are two varieties, T,
gigantea compacta, and T. gigantea pendula.

T. japonica, Maxlmowicz. (^Synonyms: — Thuya Stan-
dishii, Carrifere ; TJmyopsis Standishii^ Gordon ; Thuya gigan-
tea japonica, Parlatore.) Mountains of Japan. 1861. — This,
in general appearance, resembles the common arborvitae, but
is of much greater value as a decorative tree. It is of free
growth, less thickly branched than the American species,
with stouter and more pendulous branchlets, which are flattened
at the ends, and gracefully drooping. In winter the foliage
turns from the pale yellowish-green of summer to a distinct
bronzy tint, which is very pleasing and effective. With this
species there is far less difficulty in getting a leader than is
the case with many of the Thuyas.

T. occidental is, Linnaeus. Common or American
Arborvitae. Canada, the New England and Middle States.
Prior to 1597. — A commonly cultivated and perfectly hardy
shrubbery species, but one that is of little value for orna-
mental planting. It is usually of irregular growth, but
inclined to be pyramidal, with stout branches scattered over
the trunk, the branchlets partly drooping, and well clothed
towards the extremities in particular with the parti-coloured
foliage, which is brownish-green during the growing season,
changing to brownish-purple in winter. The following are the
most distinct varieties.

T- OCCidentaiis argentea is of neat,dwarf growth, and
perfectly distinct from every other that I have met with. The
foliage is of a deeper green than the species, many of the branch
tips being tipped with white. It is very hardy and attractive.

T. OCCidentaiis aurea is a beautiful and distinct
variety of one of the hardiest of all conifers. It grows robust
and strong, with an upright inclination, the foliage being
prettily suffused by rich golden-yellow, changing in winter to
a golden-bronzy hue. It is a desirable form of ready culture,
and quite constant.

124 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

T. occidentalis Ellwang^eriana is one of the

neatest of the many varieties of the American arborvitae,
it being fairly dwarf, dense, and sub-erect of growth. The
branches are pendulous and slender, while the foliage is
either scale-like or linear, and sharp-pointed.

T. occidentalis Hoveii. — This well merits attention,
being of dwarf, neat growth, with thickly arranged, brightly
tinted foliage.

T. occidentalis lutea, — Though at certain seasons
of the year the present variety bears great resemblance to
T. occidentalis Vervaeneana^ yet when the two varieties are
growing in close proximity, and thus of ready comparison, the
differences are readily ascertained. The variety lutea forms a
more upright growing and densely-branched specimen than
Vervaeneana, while the young shoots are of a bright orange
colour as compared with the greenish-yellow of Vervaeneana.

T, occidentalis pendula differs much in habit in
several specimens, the usually recognised form having the
branches recurved and the slender branchlets thickly arranged
near the branch extremities. The best form is distinct and
valuable.

T. occidentalis Vervaeneana well merits atten-
tion, the slender branches being of a deep and decided golden-
green, darkening during early winter to a golden-brown.
The habit is very neat and erect.

T. occidentalis Wareana. — This is of dense, neat
habit, with horizontal branches, and remarkable for the deep
green of the foliage. It is decidedly preferable for orna-
mental planting to the parent, being more regular of growth,
of deeper foliage tint, and with the branchlets clustered and
compact at the branch ends.

T, oriental is, Linnaeus. Chinese Arborvitae. {Syno-
nym : — Biota orientalis^ Endlicher.) China, Japan. — A well-
known and valued species with brighter green foliage and
denser habit than T. occidentalis. As usually seen in this
country, it is of dense columnar appearance, both the branches
and branchlets being of decidedly upright growth, and the

GENUS THUYA. 125

latter well supplied with scale-like imbricated leaves, arranged
in four rows. Cones ^ an inch long, composed of six scales,
and of a dull brown when ripe. There are many forms, the
following including the most distinct.

T. oriental is a,urea. is one of the most distinct and
popular of the many varieties, and is often met with under
the specific name of T. aurea. It forms a dense globular
bush, the growing foliage being golden-yellow, this subsid-
ing into a dull green with age and on the approach of
winter.

T, oriental is densa gflauca, — Whether for its
neat habit or pleasing colour, this dwarf conifer will well
merit attention ; while it is quite distinct from any of the
numerous small growing forms of the Chinese arborvitae.
The usual habit is a dense conical mass of rather feeble
branches, the foliage of the most pleasing glaucous-green
shade — a colour that is constant at all seasons of the year.
Being of seedling growth, this marked characteristic is retained
under cultivation.

T, oriental is eleg^antissima is of narrow pyra-
midal habit of growth, the foliage being of a constant
golden-green. It is more stiff in outline than T. orientalis
aurea.

T, orientalis ericoides (^Synonym: — Retinispora
ericoides) is one of the neatest and dwarfest of the tribe, it
being usually seen as a dense, compact shrub of not greatly
over I yard in height. The change in colour of foliage from
a light, clear green in summer to a bronzy-violet in winter, is
both curious and beautiful. Both branches and branchlets are
slender and numerous, while the primordial foliage is ar-
ranged in pairs, and distinctly glaucous beneath.

T. orientalis falcata has a rather irregular habit
of growth, though of dense somewhat conical outline, and is
well-furnished with brownish-green foliage. It is rendered
curiously distinct by reason of the cone-scales terminating in
sickle-like spines. Each cone is f of an inch long, and com-
posed of six scales and six wingless seeds.

126 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

T, oriental is falcata iutea (Webster) is of neat,
pyramidal habit, with comparatively short and slender branches,
the colour of foliage being a rich, subdued yellow, which not
only extends to the leaves in every part, but to the bark of
the branches as well. The cones are fully an inch long, and
rendered strangely conspicuous by reason of the long append-
age to each of the scales. The latter resemble nothing so
much as the fangs of a tooth. This is a worthy variety, and
for its neat habit, distinct colour, and curious cones, is well
worthy of culture.

T. orientalis iVIeldensis. — This is a stage of growth
in which the leaves are subulate, never scale-like as in the
species. It has no particular right to be included as an
ornamental variety, the outline being irregular from the thin
pliable branches bending about in many directions, though
with an inclination towards the stem. The foliage is bluish-
green in summer, but assumes a bronzy tint with the approach
of winter.

T, orientalis pendula, {Synonym: — T. pendula of
gardens.) — Amongst pendulous-habited conifers this is cer-
tainly one of the most distinct and attractive, while at the
same time it is perhaps the most fastidious in its requirements.
It is very apt when growing under unfavourable conditions to
lose the lower branches, and in consequence it wears a naked
and miserable appearance ; but when seen in a healthy,
thriving state it must certainly be ranked as one of the most
pleasing and ornamental of hardy conifers. It differs much
from the species, the flattened, freely divided branches being
replaced by long, pendulous, cord-like branches, with but few
ramifications. Planted singly and in suitable soil, it forms an
ornamental, small-growing tree of regular outline ; while the
long, filiform branchlets impart a grace and elegance to the
specimen for which it is justly remarkable. The largest
specimen I have seen is growing in deep, dampish, sandy soil
at Esher Place, in Surrey, it being 1 6 feet high, 12 feet
through, and with many of the branchlets hanging gracefully
downwards for 18 inches in length. From this specimen I have

GENUS THUYA. 127

picked fruit similar in every respect to that of T. orientalis, this
proving conclusively that it is only a distinct and well-marked
variety, and not a species as v^^as at one time supposed.

T, oriental is semperaurescens, — This is a neat
and dwarf bush, and which at no time loses its golden tinge,
the bright hue of the foliage rendering it conspicuous and
cheery even in the depth of the winter season.

T, orientaiis Zuccariniana, — Amongst small-
growing, neat-habited, and bright-foliaged shrubby, or rather
pigmy conifers, this is one of the best, and there are many
purposes to which it may be applied, especially in grounds of
limited extent. The branches are numerous and slender,
forming a dense, globose mass, and thickly-furnished with
bright green foliage, which colour it retains throughout the
year. It is a cheerful, pleasing shade of green, for which
the plant is justly remarkable ; and this, coupled with the
neat outline and ease of culture and propagation, should tend
to its increased cultivation.

T. piicatai Don. {^Synonyms: — T. occidentalis plicata,
Loudon ; T. Wareana^ Booth ; T. gigantea plicata, R. Brown.)
North- West America. 1796. — In this we have a small-
growing tree of neat outline, but greatly resembling the
American arborvitae, from which, however, it may readily be
distinguished by the shorter branches and less straggling
habit of growth. The branchlets being numerous, give to the
tree, although the main branches are usually placed far apart,
a well-furnished and neat outline, and these in turn are fur-
nished with pairs of closely-appressed leaves, that are brownish-
green in colour. The cones are | of an inch long, with six
scales, and three of four seeds towards the middle. A
particular value must be attached to this species, from its
thriving well in cold and draughty situations where many
conifers could not succeed. Though sometimes placed as a
variety of T. gigantea and T. occidentalis, yet for garden
purposes T. plicata is amply distinct, whether in habit, foliage^
or fruit.

T. pi icata cristata.— A dwarf, curious variety, with the

128 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

branches much sub-divided at their extremities, thus causing
a tufted or crested appearance, some of these ball-shaped
crested masses being 3 inches in diameter. It is very-
interesting and pleasing of growth.

TORREYA (Arnott).

THE FETID YEWS.

Flowers dioecious ; males solitary ; females in twos or threes.

Fniit drupaceous, one- seeded, fleshy on the outside, and
about the size of a nutmeg.

5^^^ solitary in each fruit; albumen ruminate.

Leaves two-ranked, linear, and decurrent at the base.

Cotyledons two.

Small evergreen trees or shrubs, with two-ranked leaves
and drupacious fruit like a nutmeg. Both leaves and fruit
emit an unpleasant odour when bruised.

Torreya californica, Torrey. {Synonym: — T. myri-
j-Z/V^, Hooker). California. 185 1. — This is a beautiful species,
that flourishes well in many parts of the country, but the finest
specimens I have seen are growing in the mild, humid atmo-
sphere of several parts of Ireland. In this country it forms
a well-branched sturdy bush or small tree, with an inclina-
tion to form long and somewhat irregular lower branches,
which it is well to keep in check by judicious pruning, an
operation that it by no means resents. The foliage is of a
fresh and distinct shade of green, each leaf being 2\ inches
long, flat, sharp-pointed, and with a sunken line on each side
of the indistinct midrib. When bruised, the leaves emit a
peculiar, not pleasant odour. The fruit, which is fleshy on
the outside, like our common plum, and elliptic in shape,
averages fully \\ inches long, and contains a nutmeg-like seed
covered with a hard, bony shell. When seen in full fruit the
contrast between the long green leaves and curious plum-like
fruit is remarkable. The soil that would seem to suit this

GENUS TORREYA. 129

species best is that mainly composed of peat, and where the
situation is well sheltered.^

T, gfrandiSy Fortune. Northern China. 1847. — From
the latter species this is readily distinguished by the
shorter leaves and smaller fruit. It has not proved hardy in
this country, although in more than one station I have been
shown thriving plants, and a very fine specimen may be seen
in the grounds at Churchill, County Armagh, Ireland. The
outline of this specimen is neat but spreading, the branches
flattened, and supplied with dark green leaves, each about I
inch long, the under-side being rendered silvery by the two
pale-coloured furrows which run for three-quarters the length
of the leaf The fruit is rounded, not elongated as in the
latter species, and averages i inch in length.

T, nucifera,, Siebold and Zuccarini. Japan. 1818. —
Unless under very favourable conditions, this species is rarely
found as a thriving specimen in these isles. When seen at its
best it is of neat, compact growth, with spreading branches
and numerous branchlets, that are well furnished with yew-
green foliage, each leaf being about i inch long. The fruit is
about the same length as the leaves, and elliptic in shape.

T, taxifolia, Arnott. Western Florida. 1838.— Like
the latter species, this cannot be depended upon in point of
hardihood. Unless in the very warmest parts of the country,
and under unusually favourable conditions, healthy specimens
are rarely to be met with. It is of remarkably slow growth,
and seldom makes a neat plant. The leaves are pale shining
green in colour, stiff, sharp-pointed, and fully i inch long,
while the fruit is egg-shaped, and i inch long. The branches
have a yellowish appearance, owing to the colour of certain
portions of the bark.

1 One of the largest specimens I know of is growing, with many other rare
conifers, at Orton Longueville, in Huntingdonshire. It is about 20 feet high,
and has borne fruit in abundance.

I

130 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

TSUGA (Carribre).
THE HEMLOCK SPRUCES.

Flowers monoecious ; males lateral ; females terminal.

Cones terminal, pendent, almost spheroid, with persistent
scales.

Seeds small, with obovate wing.

Leaves linear, flat, stalked, and proceeding from prominent
cushions.

Cotyledons varying from three to six.

Evergreen trees or shrubs of great value for ornamental
planting.

Tsugfa Brunoniana, Carri^ri. {Synonyms:— Pinus
dujnosa, Don ; Pznus Brunontana^WsWich; Abies Brunoniana,
Lindley; Abies dmnosa, Loudon; A. cedroides. Griffs.) Eastern
and Central Himalayas. 1838. — This may rightly be de-
scribed as the handsomest of the genus, though, unfor-
tunately, it is not generally hardy. When seen in a thriving
condition it forms a round-headed pyramid, the branches and
branchlets gracefully drooping towards the points, and thickly
furnished with leaves that are longer than those of any other
member of the family, and of an intense silvery hue under-
neath. Each leaf is about i inch long, flat, and serrulated,
particularly towards the point. The cones are produced
singly at the branch tips, and are almost similar in size and
shape to those of the better known T. canadensis. Being apt
to suffer from frost after having started into growth in spring,
this tree should always be planted in a position where vegetation
generally is late in commencing growth. Winter frosts have
little effect upon the tree ; it is the immature shoots of last
season or the present that suffer most. The rate of growth
under favourable circumstances is nearly i foot per year.
One specimen that I measured had attained to the height of
20 feet in nineteen years, and produced cones regularly.

T, canadensis, Carri^re. The Hemlock Spruce,

GENUS TSUGA. 131

(Synonyms: — Pinus canadensis ^ Linnaeus; Abies canadensis
Desfontaines ; Picea canadensis^ Link ; Abies curvifolia, Salis-
bury.) North-East America. 1736. — This is the best known
species, and is particularly suitable for cultivation in this
country. It is of pyramidal habit until about half its height
is attained, after which the top gradually assumes a flat or
rounded form, the branches become more open, and the
branchlets decidedly pendulous. The leaves are of a pleasant
green above, A an inch long, silvery beneath, and thickly pro-
duced. Cones are borne in great profusion at the branch tips,
each being about I inch long, and composed of about twenty-
five brownish, broadly wedge-shaped scales. Few evergreen
trees can surpass the hemlock spruce for beauty and richness of
foliage, or distinct and pleasing outline; and during spring and
early summer the young drooping shoots, of a lively yellowish-
green, contrast nicely with the dark and sombre hue of the older
foliage, and form a combination that for beauty of effect is
certainly hard to match. The soil best suited for the growth
of the tree is rather strong, damp loam ; indeed, some of the
finest trees that I have seen are growing by a lake-side, and
where the roots must be partially submerged at all seasons.

T. canadensis aurea is, judging from the few
specimens that I have had the opportunity of examining, no
great acquisition, the colouring being both irregular and
inconstant. In the juvenile state it is preferable to more
advanced years.

T, canadensis griobuiaris erecta is of dwarf,
spreading appearance, with thick, closely arranged branches,
that are at first erect, but afterwards gracefully drooping.
The leaves are closely arranged, smaller and narrower than
those of the species, and of a much lighter green colour. It
is of continental origin.

T. canadensis macrophyiia, — Both in colour of
foliage and habit of growth this is totally different from the
parent. The habit is dwarf, the outline regular, but not stiffly
so, and the compact masses of foliage are of the darkest and
most decided shade of green, and greatly intensified by their

132 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

shining lustre, which is at all times both pronounced and
pleasing. The leaves are comparatively broader than those
of the species, but it is their dark shining green tint that
offers such a contrast to the greyish-green of the parent, and
which, without the dwarf habit, would at once render simple
the recognition of this valuable variety. It is certainly one
of the most desirable of small-growing conifers, but requiring
to be layered or grafted in order to fully perpetuate its
distinctive characteristics, has long kept it in the background.

T, canadensis nana is of very dwarf and spreading
growth, with short branches and closely-set tufted leaves.
The specimens I have seen were 27 inches high, and fully 3
feet across.

T, canadensis parvifoiia is a very distinct variety
that at once attracts attention by the small and deep green
leaves. They are usually ^ of an inch long, quickly pointed,
and appressed to the branches, these latter being lithe and
slender.

T, canadensis penduia. Weeping Hemlock Spruce.
— This is a tree of great beauty, but, unfortunately it is rarely
met with. In no way does it differ from the commonly
cultivated tree, save in the long, weeping spray, the branch
tips one and all hanging gracefully downwards for in most
instances a couple of feet in length. The finest specimen
that I have seen is growing by the lake-side at Hollydale,
the Earl of Derby's Kentish property. It is fully 20 feet high,
and has borne cones abundantly.

T, carol iniana, Green. Mountains of North and
South Carolina. 1881. — This nearly approaches T. canaden-
sis^ but from that species may at once be distinguished by its
much longer, blunter-pointed, and glossier foliage. The cones
are proportionally large, with wide, spreading scales of a dark
brown colour. It is a beautiful little tree, of neat habit, and
.slow growth, and succeeds well when planted in rich loamy
peat, and where not exposed to cold or cutting winds.

T, mertensiana, Carri^re. Western Hemlock. {Syno-
nyms : — Pijtus Mertensiana, Bongard ; Abies Mertensiana^

GEKUS TSUGA. 133

Lindley ; A. Albertiana^ Murray.) Alaska, British Columbia,
Oregon. 185 1. — Both as an ornamental tree and for its
rapid growth, this species can well hold its own with any
other that has yet been introduced. It is of erect growth
with a stout, leading shoot, that usually keeps well ahead of
the surrounding branches, the latter being long, lithe, and of
irregular lengths, while the branchlets are distinctly pendulous
and feathery. The foliage is two-ranked, and spreading hori-
zontally, or nearly so, each leaf \ an inch long, and of a dark
shade of green. Cones are plentifully produced in this
country, they resembling those of T. canadensis, but having
more elongated scales and longer wings to the seeds.

The tree, when favourably situated, is of rapid upward
growth, the average of fifteen specimens that I measured being
15 inches per year. By far the finest specimen that I have
measured is growing amongst the Welsh hills at Hafodunos,
and which produced in thirty-five years 48I- feet of wood, or
fully I J feet per annum. I have experimented with the timber
of twenty-five years' growth, and though it is hard, not heavy,
and of a pleasing light brown colour, yet the lasting properties
were not remarkable, but the partial immaturity of the wood
would to some extent account for this. This species is worthy
of trial for afforesting purposes.

T, Pattoniana., Engelmann. {Synonyms : — Abies Pat-
tonianUy Jeffrey ; A. Hookeriana^ Murray ; A. Williamsonii,
Newberry ; Pinus Pattoniana, Parlatore.) Fraser River to
South California. — A distinct and ornamental small-growing
tree that is at once distinguished from any other species by
the nearly erect thickly scattered leaves, which are not two-
ranked and horizontally arranged as in most species. Each
leaf is I of an inch long, and either keeled and convex or
furrowed in the centre. The cones are about 2 inches long,
cylindrical-oblong, the scales becoming reflexed when quite
ripe or after the cones have fallen from the tree ; while the
beautiful lilac catkins are produced in such quantities as to
render the tree very conspicuous during early spring.

In this country T. Pattoniana is of slov/ growth, but neat and

134 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

compact, and the foliage of a beautiful bluish-green tinge.
The tree usually seen under the name of T. Hookeriana (sup-
posed by some botanists to be a distinct species, and by others
to be a variety) seems distinct from T. Pattoniana, the leaves
being shorter, narrower, generally curved, irregularly arranged,
and fresh green above and silvery beneath, but they vary.

T, Sieboldi, Carriere. {Synonyms : — Pinus Tsuga, An-
toine ; Abies Tsuga, Siebold and Zuccarini ; Tsuga diversifolia
Maximowicz.) Japan. 1853. — This is of neat and elegant
habit, slow of growth, and valuable for planting where space
is rather confined. At a distance the present species bears a
striking resemblance to the Canadian Hemlock, but on close
examination the Japanese species will be found to have
stouter, broader, and longer leaves, many being notched at
the point, and with a deeper green upper and more silvery
under-surface. The cones are abundantly distinct, being
nearly circular, i inch in diameter, and the scales rounded.
It is of dense growth, spreading out widely on all sides, and
would appear to thrive on much lighter soils than other
members of the same genus.

T. Siebold i nana is of dwarf, neat, and graceful
growth, rarely growing to more than 4 feet in height, and
with small and thickly-produced foliage, that is both bright
and effective. Being of small, compact growth, and with
beautiful silvery foliage, there are many places suitable for
the growth of this dwarf form.

CHAPTER II.

PROPAGATING CONIFERS.

Conifers are usually propagated or increased by one of four
different methods — seed-sowing, grafting, layering, or the in-
sertion of cuttings. Seed-sowing is to be recommended, but
when seed is difficult to obtain, as is not unfrequently the
case with many conifers, propagating from cuttings, by layers
or grafting, is usually resorted to.

From seed, — Seedling conifers may either be raised in
pots or boxes placed in a close frame, or in the open border.
The former method is, however, to be recommended, as they
can then more readily be protected from heavy rains, sudden
changes of atmosphere, or the depredations of rats, mice, and
birds. With the rarer conifers, and when seeds are very
limited in quantity, pot sowing is to be preferred ; but when
large numbers are to be raised, sowing either directly in the
frame or in shallow boxes placed therein will be found the
most convenient. Spring or early summer is the best time to
sow seeds of coniferous trees. The pots, pans, or boxes
should be clean, thoroughly drained, and filled three-fourths
their depth with a mixture of loam, leaf- mould, and silver
sand. Well press down the soil, thoroughly water, and sow
on the following day. In sowing spread the seeds evenly and
not too thickly over the prepared surface, and cover with
light sandy soil, avoiding too deep covering, otherwise the
seedling plants would fail to penetrate the soil, and in con-
sequence many would fail to germinate,

A slight watering should then be given, and the frame closed
down, and when the seed-bed is not exposed to after-currents
of air and sunshine, subsequent heavy waterings will not be re-
quired. Probably the most critical period in connection with
the raising of seedling conifers is the time that they are pushing

135

136

HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

through the ground surface, and any indiscretion in the way of
shading or watering at that point of culture usually proves
disastrous. Keeping the surface rather dry than otherwise
is, however, to be recommended. A free current of air may
be admitted after the seedlings are well through the ground ;
and in two years after germination they may either be pricked
out in the open border, in pans or boxes, or potted singly.
With such hardy, free-growing conifers as the larch, spruce,
silver fir, Scotch and Corsican pines, the seeds should be sown
in vvell prepared beds of light, free soil out of doors. The
seed-beds may be 4 feet wide, and the soil rendered light and
free if necessary, the covering to be proportionate to the size
of the seed. Branches of spruce fir laid over the beds are
useful as guards against excessive sunshine and the depreda-
tions of birds.

The following table will show at a glance the approximate
and relative number of seeds contained in i lb. weight of
each of the following species : —

Number of Seeds

Name of Tree.

contained

in I lb. weight.

Abies amabilis, ....

5,400

„ balsamea, .

71,100

„ brachyphylla,

52,500

„ cephalonica,

9,000

„ grandis,

23,500

„ nobilis,

19,400

,, Nordmanniana, .

9,900

„ pectinata, .

14,900

„ Pinsapo,

10,800

,, Veitchii,

52,500

Cedrus allantica, .

7,600

„ Deodara, .

9,900

„ Libani,

10,800

Cephalotaxus pedunculata, .

893

Cupressus Lawsoniana, .

105,000

„ noolkatensis,

112,000

„ obtusa, .

280,000

Cryptomeria japonica, .

182,400 1

Juniperus excelsa,

1,800 1

„ sabina, .

2,200 1

„ virginiana,

22,000

J

PROPAGATIKG CONIFERS.

137

1 Number of Seeds

Name of Tree.

; contained

1 in 1 lb. weight.

Juniperus vulgaris,

7,200

Larix europaea,

68,ooo

Picea Ajanensis,

350,000

„ alba, .

154,500

„ excelsa,

68,800

„ sitchensis,

453,300

„ morinda,

24,900

„ orientalis,

72,500

„ obovate,

40,800

Pinus Cembra,

! 2,592

„ Coulteri,

1,360

„ excelsa,

10,800

„ insignis,

19,900

„ Lambertiana

»

2,000

„ Laricio,

41,200

„ patula,

46,660

„ Peuce,

12,200

„ Pinea, .

520

„ ponderosa,

9,900

„ rigida, .

82,000

„ sabiniana, .

480

„ Strobus,

31,700

„ silvestris,

90,600

Pseudotsuga Douglasii,

95,200

Salisburia adiantifolia, .

270

Sequoia gigantea, .

143,800

„ gigantea pendul

a,

113,000

Taxodium distichum, .

8,600

Taxus baccata,

;

6,125

„ baccata adpressa,

7,546

„ baccata fastigiata,

5,444 i

Thuya gigantea, .

93»33o

„ occidentalis,

186,600

„ orientalis, .

31,500

„ orientalis falcata,

35,000

„ plicata, . .

245,000

Tsuga canadensis,

!

210,000

It should be stated that the weights of many coniferous
tree seeds vary greatly according to the age of the specimen
and situation in which it is growing. In compiling the above
table, three lots of seeds of several species, collected from
different trees, were weighed, and the averages are recorded.
Newly collected seeds were invariably used in compiling the
table.

138 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

From cutting^s, — An objection to the raising of cer-
tain species, at least of coniferous trees from cuttings, is that
they are tardy to produce leading shoots, many naturally
upright-habited trees when propagated in this way assuming
a creeping habit of growth, and with little or no inclina-
tion to start away freely with a single leader. Small-
growing conifers, such as the various forms of Cupressus,
Juniperus, Thuya, and Taxus, are, however, readily increased
by inserting cuttings in previously prepared soil about the
end of August. The cuttings, of rare species at least, are
usually inserted in pots or boxes of suitable soil, while such as
are hardier and more readily procured strike root freely enough
when placed in the open border, preferably a sheltered spot
under a north wall. Thorough preparation of the soil in
which the cuttings are to be inserted is a point of considera-
tion, and this should be composed of nearly equal propor-
tions of peat, loam, and sharp sand thoroughly consolidated.
The choice of cuttings is an equally important point,
these being always taken from the outer and exposed
branches, those from the interior and shady portions being
avoided as difficult to strike, and apt to damp off, this also
applying to the succulent portions of the leading shoots and
branch tips. The cuttings may be from 4 inches to 6 inches
long, should be of the current season's growth, and with a
" heel " or shoulder of old wood at the base. In preparing
the cutting for inserting in the ground, the lower 2 inches
should be made clean of leaves (unless such as are scale-like)
or shoots by means of a sharp knife, stripping off the leaves
by the fingers being decidedly objectionable. Place the cut-
tings about 3 inches deep in the prepared soil, making this
quite firm around them, sprinkle a little silver sand over the
surface, and moisten lightly. In raising trees from cuttings
two points should be borne in mind, first to insert early
enough so that the cuttings may be callused over before the
winter ; and second, to prevent direct sunshine from striking
on them when forming roots in spring. These instructions
are equally applicable to cuttings, whether placed in pots,

PROPAGATING CONIFERS. ]39

pans, or boxes in an unheated frame. The soil should be
kept in a uniform state of moisture, and the lights tilted for
an hour or two every morning to prevent too humid an
atmosphere, and the cuttings from damping off.

By gfra.fting', — Unless carefully performed on sound
principles, conifer grafting is not to be recommended. The
operation may be performed either early in spring or about
the middle of August. Preferably the stock used for grafting
on should be from two to three years old, as it is all important
that both stock and scion be of nearly similar size. The
stocks generally employed in grafting conifers are, for the
Picea tribe, the Norway spruce {P. excelsd); for the Abies, the
common silver fir {A. pecti7iatd); for the Hemlock firs, Tsuga
canadensis ; and for the different Taxads, the common yew
( Taxus baccata). For the Cypress tribe, Cupressus Lawsoniana
is used ; for the Thuyas, Thuya orientalis and T. occidentalis ;
and for the Junipers, ///////^r/^j contfnunis.

Usually the stocks are grown in 3-inch pots placed in a
cool and nearly air-tight frame. There are several methods
of grafting, but with most conifers ordinary side grafting is to
be recommended. This consists in making a clean cut down-
wards in the stem for | of an inch in length, a transverse cut
being made at the termination thereof, and sufficient of the
wood and bark removed to allow of the insertion of the graft.
The scion should be prepared by cutting the end square across,
and by shaving a piece from one of the sides of similar length
to the cut in the stock — in fact, the scion should as nearly as
possible replace the portion cut from the side of the stock.
About 4 inches is a good length for the scion, which should,
after being prepared as above directed, be tied securely in its
place by grafting cotton, and this covered over either with
clay or grafting wax. The frame containing the pots of
grafted conifers should be kept close and shaded from too
powerful light by mats or screening ; but at the same time
condensed moisture should be allowed to pass away by
opening the lights for a short time in the morning.

In from a month to six weeks many of the grafts will have

140 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

taken, and after a complete union is effected the head of the
stock may be gradually shortened back to the point where
grafting took place. The graft should be placed low on the
stock, or so as not to be noticeable above ground level.

By layering'. — Several species of Picea and other coni-
fers may be increased by layering the lower branches, but
this system is rarely carried out. It consists in bending the
branch down to ground level amongst previously prepared
soil of a sandy, open nature, and where it is kept in position
by means of a hooked peg until roots are emitted. After
becoming rooted the branch is severed beyond the peg, or
rather between the peg and the main stem, and the offshoot
allowed to remain in the same position for another year, after
which it may be carefully lifted, and either planted out
permanently or transferred to the nursery border. Erect-
growing plants are rarely obtained by layering.

CHAPTER III.

CONIFERS AND SOILS.

Many, in fact most coniferous trees will thrive in any soil of
fairly good quality, but it is likewise a well-known fact that
certain species will only succeed satisfactorily when planted
under peculiar conditions, whether as to soil or the amount of
dampness that is present in the ground.

Thus Sciadopitys verticillata will only succeed when planted
in dampish peaty ground, or decomposed leaf soil, while Picea
sitchensis requires heavy retentive loam, it soon becoming
unhealthy when planted in that of a light and dry nature.
Again, Abies Pinsapo grows with unusual luxuriance when
planted on chalk or limestone, and the same remark applies
to A. cephalonica and A. nmnidica^ both of which do better on
chalk or limestone than they do in the loamy soils that are so
well adapted for many other species of Abies. P. Laricio
austriaca also succeeds best on chalky or calcareous soil.

Finns Pinaster, P. halepensis, and P. rigida do best when
planted on pure sand on the sea coast ; whilst P. silvestris and
P. Laricio grow nowhere with greater vigour or produce more
valuable timber than when planted on rather poor or thin
gravelly soils.

Again, Taxodium distichum, Tsuga canadensis, Picea nigra,
Citpressiis macrocarpa, C. Thyoides, and Thuya occidentalis will
thrive where the roots are at times, or constantly submerged,
and are therefore well suited for planting in damp or marshy
ground. In the following lists the principal coniferous trees
that have been found to succeed in the particular class of soil
with which they are associated will be arranged in alphabetical
order.

141

142

HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.
CHALKY OR CALCAREOUS.

Abies amabilis
„ cephalonica
„ magnifica
„ nobilis
„ numidica
„ Pinsapo
Cedrus atlantica
„ Deodara
„ Libani
Cupressus Lavvsoniana
„ macrocarpa
Ginkgo biloba
Juniperus communis
„ chinensis
„ Sabina

„ tamariscifolia

Larix europaea

„ Kaempferi

„ leptolepis
Picea excelsa
Pinus Cembra

„ excelsa

„ Laricio

„ „ austriaca

„ Pinaster

„ Strobus

„ silvestris

„ tuberculata
Taxus baccata and varieties
Thuya gigantea

occidentalis.

GRAVELLY AND SANDY.

Cupressus Lawsoniana
„ nootkatensis
Juniperus communis
„ Sabina

„ „ tamariscifolia

Pinus halepensis
„ Laricio

austriaca

Pinus Pinaster

„ rigida

„ tuberculata

„ silvestris

„ montana
Taxus baccata and

varieties
Thuya gigantea

several

PEATY.

When planted in reclaimed peat bog many conifers
grow with a luxuriance that is entirely wanting when they
are seen under other conditions as regards soil. By far
the largest and healthiest specimens of the rare and interest-
ing Pinus Bungeana, Cephalotaxus Fortunei, and C. drupacea,
Fitzroya patagonica^ various species oi Podocarpus^ and Torreya
that I have seen are growing in deep peat bog to which a
quantity of road-scrapings were added at time of planting.

CONIFERS AND SOILS.

143

The larch does nowhere better or is more free from disease
than when growing in peaty soil, while Psuedotsuga Douglasiiy
Picea sitcheiisis and Abies Pichta^ as also Cryptomeria japonica
and Sequoia sempervirens are all at home on deep peat bog.
The following is a list of the most suitable : —

Abies bracteata
„ concolor
„ nobilis
„ Nordmanniana
Cedrus Deodara
Cryptomeria japonica
Cupressus Goveniana
„ Lawsoniana
„ and varieties.
„ macrocarpa
Juniperus chinensis

„ recurva
Larix europsea
„ Kaempferi

Cephalotaxus drupacea
„ Fortunei

„ pedunculata

Fitzroya patagonica
Pinus excelsa
„ Bungeana
„ Laricio austriaca
„ pyrenaica
„ silvestris
Sequoia sempervirens
Taxus baccata
Thuya gigantea
occidentalis

CLAYEY.

For planting in stiff, clayey soils I have found Cryptomeria
japonica and its variety elegans^ Thuya gigantea and T. occi-
dentalis, to be by far the most useful ; while where ironstone
or coal are present, nothing excels Cupressus Lawsoniana^
Juniperus communis, Larix europcea^ Pinus Cembra^ and P,
montana.

CHAPTER IV.

CONIFERS FOR VARIOUS POSITIONS.

For Avenues. — As avenue trees, several species of coni-
fers have been widely recommended in books and catalogues,
especially Araucaria imbricata and Sequoia gigaiitea, but that
these two at least have sadly belied the hopes of the planter
is now generally acknowledged, and a visit to Coombewood
Nursery, to Woburn Park, and many other places throughout
the country will bear out the statement. The avenue at
Coombewood was composed of the Araucaria and Sequoia
planted alternately, but the former trees have all been re-
moved, while the latter look anything but promising ; and
at Woburn Abbey almost every Araucaria has been cut down.
Thuya gigantea or Abies brachyphylla are much better suited,
and several avenues that have recently been planted with
these species will, no doubt, in years to come, give every satis-
faction. In fairly sheltered situations Cupresses Lawsoniana
and Cedrus atlantica make good avenue trees.

For the Seaside. — Many species of conifers do well in
maritime situations, and particular notice should be taken of
Cupressus 7nacrocarpa and C. uootkatensis, Pinus Pinaster, P.
Pinaster maritinia, P. Laricio, P. Laricio austriaca, P. /tale-
pensis, P. rigida, P. muricata^ P. silvestris, TJiuya gigantea,
and T. orientalis.

For Exposed Situations.— Nearly twenty years ago

I formed a plantation for shelter-giving purposes on one of

the spurs of the Snowdon range of hills, and amongst many

144

CONIFERS i'OR VARIOUS POSITIONS. 145

species of coniferous trees that were tried the following have
done best : — Pinus Laricio and P. Laricio aiistriaca, P. rigida^
P. silvestris, P. inontana, Thuya gigantea, Taxus baccata^ and
Jtcniperus commtinis.

For Smoky Localities. — Few coniferous trees succeed
well when planted in the smoke and fumes of our larger centres
of industry. The best are Thuya gigantea, Ginkgo biloba^
Cupressiis pisifera plumosa aurea, Taxus baccata^ Cupressus
Lawsoniana erecta viridis, and Cryptomeria japonica with its
variety elegans. These all do well in the impure atmosphere
of two of our largest cities, but as we recede from these centres
of death to tree and shrub life generally, many other species
can be planted.

For Confined Spaces. — The list of coniferous trees
that are of small and neat habit of growth, and, therefore,
suitable for planting in small grounds, or where space is con-
fined, is rather a long one, and would include, amongst others,
the following : —

Cephalotaxus Fortunei

Picea Engelmanni glauca

„ drupacea

„ orientalis

Cryptomeria elegans

„ polita

Cupressus Lawsoniana stricta

Pinus Bungeana

„ nootkatensis

„ Cembra

„ obtusa

contorta

„ ■ pisifera

„ parviflora

„ Thyoides

Sciadopitys verticillata

Juniperus chinensis

Taxodium mucronatum

aurea

Taxus adpressa erecta

„ communis

„ baccata fastigiata

„ recurva

Thuya dolabrata

rigida

variegata

„ thurifera

„ occidentalis

„ virginiana

„ orientalis

Picea Alcoquiana

„ „ pendula

„ Engelmanni

Torreya grandis

For Hedgfe Purposes.— Several species of conifers are
well adapted for the formation of ornamental hedges, or for

K

146 Hardy coMferous trees.

garden divisions, but they should not generally be planted irl
positions to which farm stock have access. The following
are to be recommended : —

Cupressus Lawsoniana Taxus baccata

„ „ stricta Thuya gigantea

„ nootkatensis „ orientalis

Juniperus virginiana „ occidentalis

Picea excelsa

In many parts of Scotland the common spruce {Picea
excelsa) has been, and is, extensively employed in the forma-
tion of farm hedges or wind-screens, and for which purpose
its free growth, perfect hardihood, and shelter-giving proper-
ties render it eminently adapted. Bearing pruning well, it can
be cut into almost any desired shape, while topping is pro-
ductive of greatly increased bottom growth and consequent
shelter-affording qualities. The American Arborvitae {Thuya
occidentalis) succeeds satisfactorily as a hedge and screen shrub
on several of the islands along the mainland of Scotland, and
where it is highly valued as a hardy, storm-resisting, and free-
growing tree.

CHAPTER V.

CONIFERS OF DIFFERENT CHARACTERISTICS.

Weepings Conifers. — When planted with discretion in
suitable positions, many of the pendulous or weeping conifers
are highly ornamental, and constitute a distinguishing feature
of the park or grounds in which they are used. The following
list includes some of the best : —

Cedrus Deodara
Cryptomeria elegans
Cupressus Lawsoniana

„ „ filifera

pendula

„ macrocarpa

„ nootkatensis pendula
Fitzroya patagonica
Juniperus chinensis

„ communis

„ excelsa

„ phcenicea

Juniperus recurva

„ virginiana
Larix pendula
Picea morinda

Taxodium distichum pendula
Taxus baccata pendula
Thuya occidentalis

„ „ pendula

„ orientalis pendula
Tsuga Brunoniana

„ canadensis

„ Mertensiana

FASTIGIATE CONIFERS.

Cephalotaxus pedunculata fas-

tigiata
Cupressus Lawsoniana erecta

viridis
„ macrocarpa fastigi-

ate
„ nootkatensis com-

pacta
„ sempervirens
„ Thyoides

Cupressus torulosa

Juniperus communis hibernica
„ drupacea
„ excelsa stricta
„ thurifera

Pinus Cembra

Taxus baccata erecta
„ „ fastigiata

Thuya occidentalis Vervaeii-
eana

147

148

HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

VARIEGATED CONIFERS.

Cedrus atlantica glauca
„ Libani argentea
Cupressus Lawsoniana alba
spica
„ Lawsoniana alba-

t variegata.

„ Lawsoniana argen-

tea
„ Lawsoniana argen-

tea variegata
„ nootkatensis argen-
tea variegata
„ nootkatensis aurea-

variegata
„ pisifera plumosa

aurea
„ pisifera plumosa
argentea

Juniperus chinensis aurea
„ Sabina variegata
„ virginiana aurea
Larix Kaempferi
Picea Engelmanni glauca

„ excelsa Finedonensis
Pinus silvestris aurea
„ ponderosa aurea
„ Massoniana aurea
Pseudotsuga Douglasii Stairii
Sequoia gigantea aurea
Taxus baccata aurea

„ ,, elegantissima

„ „ fastigiata au-

rea
„ „ fastigiata ar-

gentea variegata
Taxus canadensis variegata
Thuya dolabrata variegata

CONIFERS OF LOW-SPREADING HABIT.

There are many uses to which dwarf-spreading conifers
can be put, such as for undergrowth, covering banks and
rock-work, or in forming dense, far-spreading masses in the
open or around the margins of woods and plantations. For
such purposes the following are most to be recommended : —

Cryptomeria japonica nana
Juniperus canadensis

„ communis com-

pressa
„ Sabina

„ tamariscifolia

Juniperus procumbens

„ squamata
Picea excelsa Clanbrasiliana
Pinus montana
Taxus baccata ericoides
„ „ Dovastoni

PIGMY CONIFERS.

Several varieties of coniferous trees are of remarkably
dwarf and prostrate habit, and theref-rc well suited for culti-

CONIFERS OF DIFFERENT CHARACTERISTICS. 149

vating in beds or on rock-work. The smallest would include
Juniperus communis compressa^ a neat and miniature plant
that rarely exceeds four inches in height ; /. communis nana^
which on the Scotch and Welsh hills spreads to a considerable
distance, though hardly 6 inches high; and/. Sabina tamarisci-
folia, with bright bluish green foliage and of very dwarf and
procumbent habit.

Pinus Strobiis jmna, P. cembra pumila^ P. Laricio pygmcea^
and P. silvestris pygmcea are all very compact dwarf forms
of their several species, none of which rise to a greater height
than about four feet.

Amongst the spruces there are several very interesting and
neat pigmy forms, the best of which would include Picea
excelsa pyg^ncea^ P. excelsa Clanbrasiliana, P. excelsa pumila^
P. excelsa Gregoryana^ and P. nigra Doiimettii. These are
generally of dwarf spreading growth, from two feet to five
feet in height, and decidedly interesting and useful for the
purposes already referred to.

Cryptomeria japonica nana and the dwarf form of the
variety elegans are also neat and useful conifers of small
growth ; and the same applies to Thuya dolabrata Icstevirens
and T. dolabrata nana, T. orientalis pygmcea^ and T. orientalis
nana.

Several varieties of Ciipressus are of small and pleasing
growth, such as C. Lawsoniana nana and C. Lawsoniana
nana glauca, C. obtusa nana and C. obtusa aurea nafta.
Taxus baccata nana is a dwarf spreading variety of the
common yew, that rarely rises more than three feet from the
ground ; and T. baccata ericoides is likewise of unusually low
growth, and furnished with small heath-like foliage.

These include the smallest growing varieties, but there are
others of slightly taller habit, which would, however, hardly
come within the scope of such as are suitable for the rock
garden or flower bed.

CHAPTER VI.

CONIFERS FOR ECONOMIC PLANTING.^

Out of about two hundred species of conifers that have been
described in this book it is a rather strange fact that not
twenty can be recommended for economic planting, or, in
other words, for the value of the timber they produce.
Equally strange, too, is it that, with perhaps one exception,
the very trees the timber of which is imported in such large
quantities to this country for constructive purposes have
received but little attention at the hands of the British planter,
being found unsuitable in one way or another for extensive
planting in almost every part of the country.

From long personal experience the following are the only
species, so far as is known, that can be recommended where
the value of the timber produced is a point of first considera-
tion.

The Comnrion Larch {Larix europcea) has no equal
as a profitable timber conifer in this country, and I make this
statement after years of note-taking and comparison of it with
three other conifers whose merits place them high in the rank
of such as are suitable for economic planting. Some of the
valuable properties of this tree are as follows : — First, no
other conifer is so valuable in a young state, as from the first
the thinnings can be utilised for stakes, temporary fencing,
and other purposes, and this can be said of no other conifer
grown in our woods, at least the durability of the timber
would not in any other tree be sufficient to repay the cost of
erecting or otherwise converting.

1 Condensed from my paper read at the Chiswick Conifer Conference ; and con-
tained in the "Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society," vol. xiv., 1892.

CONIFERS FOR ECONOMIC PLANTING. 151

Then the larch is a hardier conifer than any other I know
of, being in this respect quite equal to the Scotch and
Austrian pines, while it will produce timber rapidly on very
poor soils, and timber which, on comparison, is of greater
durability, besides being cleaner and more easily manipulated
than that of any other coniferous tree grown in this country.
The trunk of the larch, comparatively speaking, is neither
knotty nor crooked — points that are much favoured by
timber-merchants — and this is not only referring to closely-
grown plantation trees, but to isolated specimens, for above
all trees the larch is the one that is least inclined to throw its
vigour and substance into the formation of heavy side
branches. Another point in favour of this valuable tree is
that a greater number can be grown to the acre, or, in other
words, the number of cubic feet of larchwood that can be pro-
duced from an acre is greater than that of any other conifer
I know. The durability of the wood of the larch is well
known, and as compared with that of either the Scotch ar
spruce is about doubly durable. A fence of larch cut from
trees of from twenty to twenty-five years' growth will last
from seventeen to twenty years, while that of the spruce lasts
about nine years, and Scotch fir a shorter period. This refers
directly to rails, not to posts, which decay in a much shorter
time. For mining and railway purposes the durability of
larchwood makes it much sought after, its value being still
further enhanced by its extreme lightness, a cubic foot of
seasoned wood weighing only 34 lbs. Substitutes for the
larch have often been recommended, but in the true sense of
the word none can be termed substitutes except, indeed, in
the narrowest sense, although, doubtless, some of those whose
claims have been set forth might reflect one or more of its
valuable qualities, but this is the widest limit of comparison.
It is most unfortunate that of late years the larch has,
in certain situations and under peculiar circumstances, suffered
much from canker and blight ; indeed to such an extent has
this fell disease become disseminated throughout Great
Britain that future large plantings of the tree are not likely to

152 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES,

be undertaken. The disease is at present almost unknown in
Ireland, and I have never seen an instance when the larch is
growing on reclaimed peat bog.

The Corsica.!! Pine {Pinus Laricio) is another conifer
of great value for profitable planting in this country, and one
that I feel certain will yet outrival in this respect any other
of the family to which it belongs. It is of very rapid growth,
and is well suited for planting even in the most exposed and
wind-swept situations ; a non-fastidious subject as to soil, and
withal, perhaps, the most valuable timber-producer, except-
ing the larch, that has ever been brought before the British
arboriculturist. Having as yet been tested to no great extent
for timber-producing purposes, it may, perhaps, be premature
to speak too loudly in support of its qualities in that respect ;
but as I have cut up and utilised in various ways some of the
biggest logs that have been grown in this country, I may be
allowed to at least venture the remark that the timber is of
excellent quality, and peculiarly well suited for constructive
purposes. Speaking of trees of fully fifty years' growth, I
have found the wood strong, tough, elastic, very resinous, and
readily worked. I have experimentally used home-grown
Laricio wood for many purposes, and always with very satis-
factory results — some of the largest plants employed in this
way being fully 27 inches wide, and cut from trees that girthed
9 feet at a yard from the ground. Plants that were used for
several purposes both in and out of doors have stood a test
pf fully twelve years, in such a manner as to give one the
impression that few of our home-grown coniferous woods
can surpass that of the pine in question. In summing up, it
may be said that the Corsican pine is perfectly hardy every-
where in these isles, a tree that will thrive well and produce
large quantities of timber on poor gravelly soils, one that is
readily and cheaply raised from seed — all qualities of the
highest value, and such as are rarely so well concentrated in
any other species. The rate of growth is rapid under favour-
able circumstances. After being planted for five years the
average annual rate of growth for the next ten years is, in

CONIFERS FOR ECONOMIC PLANTING. 153

specimens I have measured, as much as 30 inches in height.
Stem bulk is, likewise, well carried on with this increase in
height, and quite recently I examined a plantation of thirty-
two years' growth in which Pinus Laricio had attained to 65
feet in height, and with many of the stems girthing from 5 feet
to fully 6 feet at a yard from the ground. Standing alongside
one of the largest trees, I counted around me no less than
nine others whose average stem girth was 5 feet 4 inches, and
the height 65 feet.

The Douglas Fir {Psetidotstiga Douglasii) is in certain
situations a valuable timber-producing tree ; but to grow it to
perfection good soil and sheltered valleys are quite a necessity.
Had we the canons and deep hilly gorges of some of the
North American States, there can be little doubt that the
Douglas fir, from its suitability to our climate generally,
would be one of the most valuable timber-producing trees
that we could plant. In this country, under peculiarly
favourable circumstances, I have known the Douglas fir to
produce 240 feet of timber in fifty years, or nearly 5 feet per
year for half a century. In taking the average size of the
trees in a plantation formed twenty-two years, the dimensions
were as follows : — Height, ']6 feet ; girth of stem at 24 feet,
4 feet ; cubic contents fully 50 feet : thus giving an annual
increase in wood of 2\ feet. The average cubic contents of
each tree in another wood, mainly composed of the Douglas
fir, was nearly 2| feet per annum for thirty-five years. By
way of experiment I had several large trees cut up, and
utilised for several purposes — fences, door-posts, boat masts,
etc., and with fairly satisfactory results. I do not wish to
say one word against this my favourite fir, but the truth must
be told, and my own experience, gained principally on a low-
lying, maritime estate, which favoured the growth of most
trees, is, that the Douglas fir must occupy a sheltered situa-
tion if either ornament or utility be considered as points of
importance ; indeed, a lengthened experience gained on an
estate where it is, perhaps, grown in greater quantity than on
any other, has now fully convinced me that the Douglas fir

154 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

is an ill-chosen subject for exposed ground. The timber is
light, but strong, has a pleasant yellowish tinge, works readily,
and polishes nicely.

The Weymouth Pine {P. Strobus) when viewed in
an economic sense is well worthy of culture. Unfortunately,
like the Douglas fir, it cannot succeed in exposed situations,
and is rather particular as to the class of soil in which it is
planted. At Gwydyr Castle, in Wales, at Longleat, and
other places, the tree succeeds well, and at the former it has
attained to lOO feet in height, the boles being perfectly
straight, free of branches for half the height, and girthing
8^ feet at 4 feet above ground level. In thinning a mixed
plantation of the present tree and the Douglas fir, I noted
that trees of the former, thirty years old, were 57 feet high,
with stems girthing 4 feet 2 inches at a yard from the ground.
On thinning a plantation of the Weymouth pine growing on
rather dry and light gravelly soil, many were " pumped " or
rotten at the core — a timely warning to planters of the tree.
The timber is soft, light in proportion to its bulk, free from
knots, and easily worked.

The Scotch Pine {P. silvestris) will, for economic
planting, always hold a high rank, it being of great value for
planting on poor gravelly soils and in cold, exposed sites
No doubt this pine will always be extensively planted
wherever shelter is wanted, and rightly so, for few others
are so well suited for withstanding the cold, cutting blasts of
our exposed hill-sides. The almost valueless quality of the
timber produced in this country generally will always be a
serious drawback to the extensive use of this particular
species ; but this is in great part counterbalanced by the
hardy nature of the tree, the great amount of shelter it affords,
and the rapidity of growth on poor thin soils. The best
quality of Scotch pine timber, such as that produced in some
of the northern Scottish counties, and Bedfordshire, in
England, no doubt realises even at the present time a fair
price ; but, generally speaking, that produced throughout
Scotland, England, as a whole, and also in Ireland, is of so

CONIFERS FOR ECONOMIC PLANTING. 155

inferior quality as hardly to fetch the price of second-rate
firewood.

The Giant Arbor vitse {Thuya oi^antea).— Whether
for utility or ornament, we have in this species a valuable addi-
tion to our forest trees, and it is the opinion of those who are
most competent to judge that it will be one of the trees of the
future in this country. After a fair and impartial trial on my
own part I have found it to be quite hardy, even at high
altitudes, a fast grower and rapid timber producer, a non-
fastidious subject as regards the quality of soil in which it is
planted, and one of the easiest managed and most accom-
modating of trees.

From my note-book I find that the average annual rate of
growth of twenty-six specimens growing under dissimilar
conditions is 22 inches. The timber of thirty years' growth
that I had cut up and converted was of good quality, but
much better results may be expected from more fully matured
wood. As only about half a century has elapsed since the in-
troduction of the tree, we must be careful in sounding its
praises ; but so far our experiments with both the tree and its
timber are highly encouraging. It may be well to mention
that there are several forms of this tree, some quite valueless
for economic planting.

The Norway Spruce {Picea excelsd). — The value of
the common or Norway spruce in economic planting is al-
ready well-known, fully-matured timber having been largely
cut up and converted for many estate purposes. Though
not equal to either the larch or Corsican pine in lasting pro-
perties, the wood of the spruce is yet sufficiently durable
to cause it to have been largely employed in fencing and
the erection of sheds and out-buildings. One great point
in favour of the tree is that it will grow where many
others would fail, while it grows rapidly, and affords a great
amount of shelter.

The Austrian Pine {P^ Laricio austriaca), where shelter
is a point of first importance, stands, perhaps, unrivalled by
any other coniferous tree. Of fairly good quality, too, is the

156 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

timber, but it is generally rough, knotty, and hard to work, and
that, too, even when the trees are growing in close order.
The tree inclines more to spend its energy in the formation of
many weighty side branches than in the building up of a clean
and gradually tapering stem. The Austrian pine grows well
on almost any class of soil, and bears exposure to rough winds,
as I have ofttimes noticed on the bare and exposed Welsh
hill-sides. Several large trunks that I had cut up for the
express purpose of testing the quality of the timber turned
out well, the plants being remarkably resinous, of a dirty
yellow colour, and rather hard to work. It stands the
changes from wet to dry as well as any home-grown timber I
know, and the experiments I undertook eleven years ago on the
Ogwcn River in North Wales have turned out quite satisfactory.

The Cluster Pine {P. Pinaster). — So far as the value
of the timber of this pine is concerned, the tree might almost
be described as valueless for economic planting. That it will
thrive well and produce fine, bushy specimens where very few
other trees could succeed has been well exemplified along the
Mediterranean coast, as well, indeed, as in not a few maritime
districts of Great Britain. This of itself renders the tree one
of great value, and eminently qualifies it for using as a nurse
to other less hardy kinds. The rate of growth is rapid,
several specimens growing on gravelly soil that I measured
having produced 90 feet of timber in thirty-three years.

Nordmann'S Fir {Abies Nordmanniana), when better
known and more readily procured, will no doubt be used for
afforesting purposes. It grows rapidly when suitably placed,
a number of specimens of which I kept a record having pro-
duced nearly 2 cubic feet of wood annually, while the upward
growth was 2 feet 3 inches in the same time. From the
appearance of the wood of trees grown in this country, which
have been cut up under my own supervision, the quality of
that produced in its native country would seem to be well
sustained, it being firm, clean, and readily worked. Unfortu-
nately the tree is apt, especially when growing under adverse
circumstances, to become infested with woolly aphis.

CONIFERS FOR ECONOMIC PLANTING. 157

Pinus monticola produces a large bulk of excellent
elastic timber, which is light, tough, and easily worked.

Cupressus nootkatensis (the Nootka Cypress) is
likely to turn out a useful forest tree, it being very hardy,
free of growth, and producing fine and clean-grained timber.
The production of timber is somewhat slow even when
the tree is growing on rich soil, while the appearance of the
tree in our woodlands is anything but ornamental owing to
the loss of the branches consequent on close order of growth.
The stem is usually " carrot-shaped," or with a quick taper
from the ground upwards.

C- Lawsoniana (the LawsonCypress). — For forest plant-
ing this cypress might be included, its great hardihood, ease
of culture, and quality of timber produced, being special re-
commendations. Growing in soil of good quality, I have noted
the upward rate of growth to be 43 feet in twenty-seven years,
but this is rather unusual. Home-grown timber is clean,
light, easily worked, and of a pleasing yellow colour. For
indoor work it is well suited, and fencing posts made of the
wood are lasting well.

The Redwood (^Sequoia sempervirens) is rarely recom-
mended for profitable planting, but from experiments I have
undertaken and measurements made it would seem to be a
more valuable tree than is generally supposed. It must, how-
ever, be grown in good, rich soil and where shelter is afforded,
perferably, too, in maritime situations. The rate of growth
under such conditions is rapid, and the timber of good quality.
In one instance I have known the tree to reach a height of 84
feet in twenty-nine years.

Mount Atlas or African Cedar {Cedrus atlantkd),
— This tree has several good qualities for economic planting, it
growing well on cold stiff soils, and standing exposure in an
almost remarkable manner.

The Larg:e-fruited Cypress {Cupressus macro-
carpd) is one of the most valuable species for planting in
exposed maritime situations, and its value in economic
planting lies in its affording a great amount of shelter, and

m HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

growing where few other species could succeed. The timber
I have cut up is of excellent quality.

Tsug^a Mertensiana may yet turn out a valuable
tree for afforesting purposes. It grows rapidly in this country,
and produces a large amount of timber which seems little
inferior to, and not unlike that of, the larch. It is fine
grained, works readily, and of a yellowish white colour.

The Lebanon Cedar {Cedms Libani) has several
good qualifications to rank as a forest tree. It grows rapidly,
stands exposure well, and produces a large quantity of fairly
valuable timber. The lasting properties of the timber are
dwelt upon in the following chapter.

CHAPTER VII.

QUALITY OF BRITISH-GROWN CONIFEROUS TIMBERS.

With the object of testing the quality of the timber of the
various species of coniferous trees cultivated in this country,
I have lost no opportunity during the last twenty-two years
either of collecting specimens or conducting experiments.
This, I need hardly add, has been attended with considerable
difficulties, and it has not been easy to procure home-grown
specimens of a suitable age and size to render the experiments
thoroughly trustworthy. Fortunately for the carrying out of
such experiments, I have had the management of parks and
woodlands where numbers of the rarer conifers had to be re-
moved in the ordinary course of thinning, while the wind has,
on not a few occasions, acted as a kind friend in procuring
specimens that would not otherwise have been obtainable.

As will be seen from the measurements given throughout
the following notes, probably the largest and oldest specimens
in this country oi Pinus LariciOy P, Laricio ausiriaca, P.pon-
derosa, P, Pinaster^ P. StrobuSy P. muricata^ Cedrus Libani^
Cupressus macrocarpa^ C. Lawsonianay C. torulosay Cunning-
hamia sinensis ^ Araucaria imbricata, Abies grandisy A. Nord-
mannianUy Picea nigruy P. morinday P. sitchensisy Sequoia
giganteUy Cryptomeria japonicay Thuya giganteay dind Juniperus
virginiana have been cut down, and portions of the converted
wood used in various ways by way of experiment in testing
their quality.^

Whilst carrying out these experiments, few things have
surprised me more than the way in which the timber of cer-
tain species of coniferous trees is affected by the particular

1 Portions of this paper were communicated by me to the Gardener's Ckronicky
where they appeared in a series of articles during 1895.

im HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

quality of soil on which it is produced ; indeed, the difference
between immature and nearly fully matured timber is trifling
when compared with the quality as affected by soil. One or
two instances may be cited as examples : — In thinning a
plantation composed of Pseudotsuga Douglasii, Piniis Sirobus,
and Picca morinda^ fifty-three out of seventy-one specimens
of P. Strobiis were pumped or rotten at the core, and utterly
unfitted for use in any way. The trees were growing on
sandy loam, had been planted twenty-six years, and con-
tained, on an average, 25 feet of wood each. Now, having
felled trees of the same kind on various other qualities of
soil, and found the timber perfectly sound, deductions will
not be difficult to make. A still more curious example of
how coniferous timber is affected by the soil on which it was
grown was illustrated a few years ago on an estate on the
banks of Lough Neagh, in Ireland. A large number of
fencing poles, larch and Scotch fir, were being cut from two
neighbouring plantations of the same age and size, but grow-
ing on widely different soils — peaty and gravelly. The
Scotch fir timber from the peaty soil was soft, spongy, and
nearly white in colour, while that from the gravel was hard,
firm, and of a bright yellow colour. So pronounced was the
difference in the quality of the two timbers that the woodmen,
in carrying the poles to the hard road adjoining the planta-
tion, had not the slightest difficulty in stating from which
wood the particular poles had been brought, that from the
gravelly soil having a sharp ring like metal when thrown
from the shoulder, whilst that grown on peat had a soft, dull
thud. Larch timber grown on gravelly soil is usually
pumped or rotten at the heart, and in a remarkable
instance with which I had to deal, every larch had to be
removed from a large mixed plantation of twenty-six years'
growth, growing on soil of this description. Such facts as
these are very significant, and show how careful we must be
in condemning any coniferous tree when judged from the
quality of the wood as produced on any particular class of
soil and that, with certain species at least, the observations

QUALITY OF BUlTlSH-GROWl^ CONIFEROUS TlMBIiRS. l6l

must be extended over a fairly wide field of investigation. In
the following notes I have been careful not only to give the
age of the tree from which the timber has been cut, but also
the quality of soil on which it was grown ; and it may be
well to add that in the case of experiments, none of less than
seven years' standing will be recorded. Greater attention,
too, has been bestowed on such species as produce timber of
sufficient size and of the best quality for economic purposes
The arrangement is alphabetical: —

Abies cophalonica- — Age 33 years; cubic contents
27 feet ; soil gravelly loam. Timber of good quality, and
where it has been used in out-door work for eleven years,
seems at present in an equally good state with Scotch pine of
the same age. The wood is yellowish-white, firm, medium in
weight, and, owing to the quantity of resin it contains, works
smoothly, and takes a good polish. Used for forming side of
temporary shed.

A. grand is. — Age 49 years ; cubic contents 73 feet ; soil
gravelly loam, with a foot-thick coating of decayed vegetable
matter. Timber of excellent quality, very weighty, resinous,
and the concentric rings closely packed. Used for boarding
both in and out of doors during the past eleven years, and
given general satisfaction. The balsamic fragrance from the
beautiful yellowish-white wood was, at the time of felling,
distinctly perceptible for many yards away, and was com-
mented upon by the woodmen engaged in felling and remov-
ing the specimen. I think the timber is quite equal to that of
silver fir of similar age, but more resinous, and weightier.

A. lasiocarpa. — Age 18 years ; cubic contents 16 feet ;
soil peaty. Timber much like that of the foregoing, and
equally dark in colour, but proportionately lighter. Lasting
quality not remarkable when compared with Scotch fir of
equal age.

A. nobilis. — Age 42 years ; cubic contents 47 feet; soil
rich alluvial deposit. Timber of good quality, and for indoor
work, at least, is to be highly recommended. It is light, but

162 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

hard and compact, and of a creamy-brown colour, though the
latter varies greatly according to soil, that produced on
gravel at higher altitudes being reddish-yellow, and much
harder, though equally light in proportion to the bulk. I am
much pleased with the quality of the timber of this tree,
and consider that it is quite equal to that of the silver fir,
but the quality and colouring is evidently greatly affected by
soil and site.

A. Nordmanniana. — Oldest tree 53 years, but others
of 23 years and 18 years have been tested; soil in first
instance clayey loam, in second peaty ; cubic contents 47
feet and 22 feet respectively. Timber reddish-yellow, fine
and close-grained, and of excellent quality. Used for many
purposes both in and out of doors, where it has been proved
superior to that of the silver fir of even age. Specimens of
the timber from boggy land in Ireland are remarkably hard
and fine-grained, clearly proving that the tree is of great
merit for afforesting peat bogs. From the experiments of
nearly fifteen years' standing, I am confidently expecting
that the Nordmann fir will prove a valuable timber-producing
tree in this country.

A. pinsapo. — Age 53 years ; cubic contents 47 feet ;
soil sandy loam resting on gravel. Timber of no great value,
being brittle, and soon apt to decay, and hard to convert on
account of the usually branchy stem. It resembles that of
the silver fir in appearance.

A. Webbiana. — Age 23 years; cubic contents 21 feet;
soil rich alluvial deposit, in sheltered low-lying situation.
Timber white or nearly so, soft in comparison with that of other
members of its family, but unusually easy to work and polish.
It stood the changes of weather on an exposed shed for nine
years creditably.

Araucaria imbricata.— Age 47 years and 52 years ;
cubic contents 38 feet and 51 feet; soil in both instances
loam or gravel. The timber of these trees was of a beauti-
ful yellow colour, closely-grained, firm, and worked and
polished readily. My experiments prove that the timber is

QUALITY or BRITISH-rjROWN CONIP^EROUS TIMBERS. 163

not well suited for outdoor work, but when manufactured into
household furniture it lasts well, ten years not seeming to
have changed the wood in the least. The timber of young
trees is notorious for its speedy decay.

Cedrus Libani- — Age of trees 99 years and 130
years ; soil in both cases inclined to be gravelly ; cubic con-
tents 153 feet and 231 feet respectively. Timber reddish-
white, brittle, though long-grained, light, easily worked, and
susceptible of a good polish. I cannot agree with those who
state that the timber is by no means durable, for my own
experiments demonstrate that it is in this respect of consider-
able value. It is certainly apt to snap short, and is extremely
brittle, but for all that it is of good lasting quality as shown
by the following :— A trough for washing sheep was formed
of this wood eighteen years ago, and after being subjected to
drought and damp alternately, for it was sunk in the soil, the
boarding when removed was perfectly sound, though dark in
appearance. The tree from which the boards were cut was
close upon a hundred years old, having been planted by the
great statesman, William Pitt, when he owned the Holwood
property, in Kent. The boards were fully 2 inches thick, and
of various widths up to 2 feet, and the trough 12 feet long, by
4 feet wide. The position in which the timber was placed
was one of the most trying, for, being sunk in the soil, and
only filled with water during the sheep-shearing season, the
vicissitudes of drought and damp were very considerable, and
well fitted to test the quality of wood. The timber lasts well
when converted into furniture. In some of the unusually
large specimens which have been converted at Woburn
Abbey, I consider the timber very near to that of the larch,
both in appearance and quality, but it is not so elastic.

Cryptomeria japonica. — Age 43 years; cubic con-
tents 47 feet ; soil black, dampish loam, in a low-lying and
well-sheltered situation. Timber remarkably light, nearly
white, soft, and easily worked. In the dry it has remained
sound for twelve years. Compared with foreign planks, those
produced in this country differ but little.

1(U HARDY CONlFPmors TREES.

Cunning^hamia sinensis.— Age uncertain, probably
34 years; cubic contents 27 feet; soil rich black loam.
Timber of a beautiful light mahogany colour, firm, clean-
grained, and taking a good polish. That of a specimen cut
at Esher Place,^ Surrey, planted fully thirty years, and 37 feet
high, was of good quality, and the colouring rich, though not
equal to the first-mentioned tree. It was growing on deep
sandy soil, but was shabby of appearance, and this was the
reason for its removal.

Cupressus Lawsoniana. — Age 27 years; cubic con-
tents 19 feet; soil gravelly loam. Timber of a pleasing
yellow colour, very close-grained and hard, and works well
under the tools of the carpenter. Fences of posts made from
the wood have stood a seven years' test satisfactorily ; but for
household carpentry the wood is evidently best suited. It is
sweetly scented and very elastic.

C. macrocarpa. — Age 38 years; cubic contents 43 feet;
soil good yellow loam. Timber of first-rate quality, being re-
markably hard and very close grained. It is barberry-yellow
in colour, but towards the centre reddish-yellow, very compact
and close-grained, and it works smoothly under the tools of
the carpenter. The lasting qualities, both in and out of
doors, are quite satisfactory. I consider the timber of this
cypress superior to that of most of our home-grown woods.

C. NootkatensiS. — Age 23 years; cubic contents 19
feet ; soil gravelly loam. Timber excellent, even in the im-
mature specimen to which I refer, of a pleasant light yellow
colour, and agreeably scented. It is light, close-grained, and,
being clean, works and polishes regularly, but is rather brittle.
When tested out of doors, the results were favourable, more
so than was expected from the immature specimens at our
disposal.

C. torulosa,— Age 35 years; cubic contents 26 feet;
soil black loam. Timber highly fragrant, purplish-yellow,
hard, close-grained, and fibrous. For indoor work it is

* A portion of the trunk which I sent to the Surveyor's Institution, London,
shows well the beautiful colour and graining of the timber.

QUALITY OF BRITISH-GROWN CONIFEROUS TIMBERS. 165

especially valuable, and when made into furniture has re-
mained unchanged for fully thirteen years.

Ginkg^O biloba.. — Age unknown, being a wall tree;
probably 50 years ; soil light, rich loam. Timber soft, brittle,
and of a light yellow colour. For indoor work it looks well,
and appears little different after seven years' wear.

Juniperus Bermudiana.— Age uncertain ; felled
owing to injury by the frost. Height 17 feet ; timber soft, light,
easily worked, slightly fragrant, and of a buff yellow colour.

J. communis. — Wood of a beautiful yellowish-brown
colour, hard, but readily cut, and very aromatic. Made into
ornaments, it seems to stand well, there being no perceptible
difference in thirty-eight years.

J. recurva. — The wood of a specimen 17 feet in height
and 10 inches in diameter was hard, fine of grain, and took a
nice polish.

J. virgfiniana. — Probably the largest and finest speci-
men of this somewhat rare tree that has ever been felled
in Britain was cut down recently to make room for building
operations in the pretty village of Esher, in Surrey. The
tree was of unusual proportions, with a beautifully clean and
well-rounded stem, which was destitute of branches for 33
feet in length, and contained fully 51 feet of timber. This is
the wood used so largely in England in the manufacture of
'* cedar pencils," and that of the tree in question is of excel-
lent quality and beautifully grained, the heartwood being of
a fine red colour with a band of deep yellow around the
margin. The fragrance of the wood is justly remarkable,
and in the case of the Esher specimen could be distinctly
detected at a distance of about twenty yards. The soil which
produced this perhaps unique tree is deep sandy loam, and
the position might be said to be partially sheltered at least.

Larix pendula.— Age, about 32 years; cubic contents 18
feet ; soil light, deep loam. Timber dark brown towards the
centre, lighter, almost white, outside ; heavy, hard, strong, not
so fine of graining as the common species. Have only cut up
the wood, but not used it in any experimental way.

166 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

Picea alba> — Age uncertain, not less than 50 years;
cubic contents 38 feet; soil black, damp loam. Timber light,
soft, but compact, fine of grain, and of a pleasing bright
yellow colour. It is so soft as to readily take an impression
made by the finger-nail.

P, morinda. — Age 43 years; cubic contents 37 feet;
soil loam or gravel. 1 have cut up many specimens of this
particular species, but in all cases have found it exactly the
opposite of what it is described by travellers.

Here it is weightier, firmer, and probably more brittle than
the common spruce ; but in trees of equal age I am inclined
to say that it is the superior of the two. It is readily affected
by soil.

P, nigfra. — Ages varying from 30 years to 50 years.
Removed all the trees from a plantation, so had ample
opportunities of testing the quality of home-grown timber.
Timber nearly white, sometimes yellowish-white, soft, and long
of grain, very light, and readily indented. Lasts well when
. kept dry and in an equable temperature ; but it is of little
or no value, comparatively speaking, for out-of-door work.

P. oriental is. — Age 37 years ; cubic contents 29 feet ;
soil gravelly loam. Timber not unlike that of the common
spruce, but perhaps yellower in colour, and equally firm. Not
tested for outdoor work ; very satisfactory when used for
pannelling.

Pin US cembra. — Age 43 years ; cubic contents 29
feet ; soil good stiffish loam. Timber soft and springy, easily
worked, and susceptible of a smooth and fine polish. It is
very light, and the graining so fine as to be hardly discernible.
Thirteen years do not appear to have altered either the ap-
pearance or quality of the wood in the least.

P. exceisa. — Various ages from 30 years to 43 years ;
cubic content of largest 42 feet ; soil good rich yellow loam.
Timber highly fragrant and resinous, compact, but easily
indented, and nearly white in colour. Out of doors it soon
decays, but when kept as a plank sample the period of fifteen
years since it was cut docs not seem to have affected it to

QUALITY OF BRITISH-GROWN CONIFEROUS TIMBERS. 1G7

any appreciable extent. For purely economic planting I do
not consider that the tree will ever be valuable in this
country.

P. insigfnis. — Age 38 years; cubic contents 33 feet;
soil loamy. Timber clean, close-grained, easily worked, and
of fair lasting quality. Not tried out of doors, but indoors
it stands well.

P. LariciO. — Nearly all ages up to 71 years; cubic con-
tents of largest 57 feet; soil gravelly. Timber of excellent
quality, and well suited either for out or indoor work. It
is yellowish-white in colour, very resinous, tough and elastic,
easy to work, and planes smoothly.

Eleven years ago I instituted a number of experiments
with the wood of the tree cut from a specimen, 18 feet of the
butt of which contained 30 feet of timber, some of the planks
being 27 inches wide. For fencing-posts, rails, shed-cleading,
and such like, the timber was used, and with very promising
results. In 1894 ^ examined the timber, and was surprised
to find it so sound and well preserved, and in the case of that
used indoors it has certainly hardened with age. Unlike the
wood of several other species of fir, which get hollowed
between the growths, owing to the loss of resin and shrinkage,
that of the Corsican pine remains perfectly smooth, the
beautiful longitudinal dark yellow resin-containing portions
being quite intact after eleven years' wear. The timber does
not splinter readily, but wears uniform and well when sub-
jected to the almost constant bumping and rough usage con-
sequent on railway travelling, as a large box which has been
through many parts of England and Scotland since the Edin-
burgh Forestry Exhibition bears ample testimony. I consider
the timber next to that of the larch for lasting qualities, at least
amongst such conifers as have been found of sufificiently rapid
growth to warrant their recommendation for forest planting
in this country.

P, LariciO austriaca. — Ages ranging from 30 years
to 43 years ; cubic contents of largest 37 feet ; soil gravelly.
Timber very resinous, rough, owing to the branching stem,

108 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

remarkably strong and tough, and coarse of grain. Fully ten
years have now elapsed since the timber was cut up and used
for fencing, for supporting the bank of a rapid-flowing river,
and for indoor carpentry. In every case the results have
been satisfactory, and prove that when compared with the
spruce and Scotch firs the wood is better than those. The
timber becomes lighter with age, but owing to its generally
rough, knotty nature, will never rank very high for con-
structive work.

P. montiCOla, — Age 36 years ; cubic contents 41 feet ;
soil deep and sandy. Timber light, tough, elastic, and dur-
able, easily worked, and polishes beautifully. This is a
valuable tree for afforesting purposes.

P, Pinaster, — Age of several trees cut up 93 years ;
cubic contents 75 feet ; soil gravelly, with a little loam.
A goodly specimen that was straight as an arrow, and con-
taining 99 feet of wood, was partially uprooted during a
storm three years ago, and advantage was taken of the oppor-
tunity to have the timber converted in various ways, so that
its value for estate purposes generally could be determined.
Owing to the great quantity of resin present in the timber,
the tree was weightier for its bulk than any other species that
had come under my notice, with the exception, perhaps, of
Abies grandis. A great part of it was sawn into boards of

2 inches in thickness, and as many of these boards were fully

3 feet wide, their value for constructive purposes, had the
timber been of good value and worthy of conversion, would
have been great. The wood works beautifully and clean,
taking a smooth glossy surface under the tools of the car-
penter, and several of these 3-feet-wide boards were cut into
6 feet lengths, and planed smoothly for preserving as samples
of the wood. To various uses the remaining boards were
applied, but one instance of their lasting quality will be suffi-
cient. A number, fully thirty, were placed as boarding for
the floor of a dry faggot-shed or barn — a well-built structure,
and thoroughly ventilated. On examining these boards a
f^w weeks back, it was found that they were one and all

QUALITY OF BRITISH-GROWN CONIFEROUS TIMBERS. 169

perfectly rotten and falling to pieces, and that after they had
not been in position more than about eighteen months. Every
board had to be removed, having become permeated with
dry-rot to such an extent that when let fall on the ground
they fell to pieces. This was all the more strange as the
boards had been allowed plenty of air, they being not nailed
down or carefully placed side by side, but simply laid down
with the double object of seasoning, and to form a temporary
wooden floor beneath the dry faggots. When we take into
consideration the size and age of the tree from which the
planks were cut, as well as the great quantity of resin present,
and which rendered the log so weighty in transit, the case
seems all the more remarkable. But it has long been known
that the timber of this pine is of no great value, and even for
firewood purposes it comes in about third-rate.

P, ponderosa. — Age 54 years ; cubic contents 44
feet ; soil good loam. Timber heavy and saturated with
resin, of a reddish colour, and not particularly durable. The
strong resinous smell of the wood is justly remarkable, and
the veining is much admired.

P, rig'sda,. — Age probably 40 years ; cubic contents 27
feet ; soil sandy. Timber light, coarse-grained, brittle, and of
no special value as produced in this country.

P. Strobus. — Age unknown ; cubic contents 93 feet ;
soil vegetable mould, or shaly rock. Timber of good quality,
clean, and easily worked, but much affected both by soil and
site. British-grown timber revealed but small difference
when compared with that sent to the late Colonial and Indian
Exhibition.^ I consider this a valuable forest tree for not too
exposed parts of these isles, but it does not succeed well on
too light or poor soils.

P. tuberculata, — Age unknown ; cubic contents 44 feet ;
soil rich loam. Timber very resinous, reddish-white, brittle, and
finely grained. Not tried out of doors, but it burns fiercely.

1 Excellent opportunities were afforded me by Professor Macoun, of Ottawa,
Canada, for comparing many specimens of our home-grown coniferous woods
with those sent to the Colonial and Indian Exhibition.

170 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

Pseudotsugra Dougrlasii,— Age from 25 years to
45 years ; cubic contents of latter 57 feet ; soil gravelly.
Timber, when young, soft, and liable to insect attacks and
sudden decay; when older, of a desirable yellow colour,
hard and firm, and susceptible of a high polish. It gets
darker with age, hard and brittle, and difficult to work.
For fencing - posts, boarding, and boat masts outdoors,
and in temporary work where not exposed to the
weather, I have used the timber extensively, and in every
case the result has been quite satisfactory. I do not, how-
ever, consider the timber equal in lasting properties to that
of three other conifers, whose merits, as regards quantity of
timber produced and fitness for culture in this country, place
them higher in the rank of such as are suited for economic
planting. The production of timber by the Douglas fir is
ahead of that of any other coniferous tree in this country of
which I have kept a record, viz., 240 feet in fifty years, or
nearly 5 feet per year for half a century.

Sequoia grigfantea. — Age 33 years ; cubic contents
73 feet ; soil loam or gravel, sheltered. Timber very
beautiful, the ground-work being yellow, marked with deep
red bands longitudinally. It is light in proportion to the
bulk, compact, and works readily. I had the butt of the
above specimen cut into 2-inch thick boarding, for the pur-
pose of hut-making for charcoal burners, and was, with every-
one else who saw them, astonished at the deep, rich colouring
and shading of the wood. The lasting qualities are not
very remarkable, although the timber darkens with age,
and the outdoor experiments were not very encouraging.
For indoor work of various descriptions the wood is well
adapted.

S, sempervirens.— Age unknown ; cubic contents 52
feet ; soil alluvial deposit ; sheltered valley. Timber of ex-
cellent quality, of a pleasing brick-red colour, very finely and
closely grained, and susceptible of a high polish. It cleaves
into long lengths, and is unusually free from knots and
general timber defects. Not used to any extent out of doors.

QUALITY OF BRITISH-GROWN CONIFEROUS TIMBERS. ITl

but as furniture and room-panelling the home-grown wood
seems to be peculiarly suitable.

Taxodium distich um. — Age unknown; cubic con-
tents 34 feet ; soil black, damp loam. Timber brown, light,
but very fine-grained, and works smoothly.

I am much taken with the timber of the deciduous cypress,
but, unfortunately, my experiments are hardly worth detail-
ing. Indoors it has stood well ; outdoors fairly well for the
period of time.

Taxus baccata,— Age up to 150 years. Timber ex-
ceedingly hard, weighty, and close-grained. It is of a pleasing
deep reddish-brown colour, tough, elastic, and susceptible of
a high polish. Not much in demand, unless when offered in
large quantities.

Thuya g:ig:antea. — Age 31 years; cubic contents 31
feet ; soil rich and suitable. Timber of a pleasing yellow
colour, fine-grained, light in proportion to the bulk, and very
readily cut up and worked. My experiments with the wood for
fencing purposes are not very encouraging, but then it must be
remembered that it was far from mature — in fact, could only
be considered as in a juvenile state. Where used for indoor
work, the results are favourable. I consider the tree one of the
greatest value for the quick production of fairly good timber.

Tsugra canadensis, — Age 53 years; cubic contents
37 feet ; soil rich, damp loam ; sheltered. Timber hard,
heavy, rough-grained, and inclined to splinter. It works
well, and takes on a good polish. The slower-grown timber
seems to be hardest and finest of grain ; that of old, rapidly-
grown trees being crooked and rough.

T, Mertensiana. — Age 28 years; cubic contents 31
feet ; soil good rich loam ; sheltered position. Timber
yellowish-white, smooth, fine of grain, and susceptible of
a nice polish. I have used the wood for several out-of-door
purposes, and with the best and most satisfactory results.
As fencing-posts, it equals the larch of similar age, while for
furniture it would seem to be well suited. I consider this a very
valuable timber-producing tree for planting in this country.

CHAPTER VIII.

COMMERCIAL ASPECT OF CONIFERS.

When viewed in a truly commercial sense, the various species
of coniferae are perhaps the most useful and valuable of all
trees to mankind. For general utility the timber is not sur-
passed by that of any other trees, and possesses qualities that
render it peculiarly suitable for building and general con-
structive purposes, while being obtainable in such vast
quantities the price is comparatively cheap. The arts and
manufactures are also largely indebted to coniferous trees for
many of their staples — tar, pitch, turpentine, resin, balsams,
spirits, paper pulp, etc. Tar, which at present is largely im-
ported from the Baltic ports and Southern United States of
America, is obtained principally from Finns palitstris^ P.
Pinaster^ and P. silvesU'is. Turpentine comes from incisions
made in the stems of several species of Pinus^ principally P.
Tceda, P. silvestris, and P. pahistris. The famous Strasburg
turpentine is obtained from the common silver fir {Abies
pectinatd), while the larch is the source of the Venice turpen-
tine of commerce. Larch bark contains a large quantity of
tannin matter, and this may also be said of that of the
Canadian hemlock fir ( Tsuga canadensis), which is, how-
ever, inferior in quality to that of the larch. From spruce
branches that well-known beverage, spruce beer, is principally
obtained, while in the manufacture of gin the much esteemed
flavour and aroma are mainly due to our common juniper.
In New England the sapling pines are made into pasteboard,
and the fibre threads of the wood into cloth. That valuable
product coniferin is obtained from several species of Abies
and Pinus ; an oil largely employed in veterinary practice

172

COMMERCIAL ASPECT OF CONIFERS. 173

irom Juniperus oxycednis; while the common Savin {Juniper us
Sabina) is much appreciated in medicine.

Remarkable properties are possessed by the secretions of
the Lebanon cedar.

Articles of clothing, as also mats, sails, and ropes, are made
from the inner bark of the giant arborvitse {Thuya gigantea)^
while in some parts of Italy the leaves of Pinus halepensis are
used instead of straw for bedding horses and cattle.

It may not be generally known that the seeds or nuts of
certain coniferous trees, particularly the genus Pinus, not
only enter into the making of confectionery in this country,
but are the staple food of, and form an article of commerce
amongst, several of the American and Asiatic hill tribes.
Even on the Continent the large and deliciously-flavoured
seeds of the Swiss stone pine {Pinus Cernbra) are eaten by
the peasantry, while they are also largely employed as an
article of diet throughout Russia and Siberia. In Italy those
of the stone pine {P. Pined), two of which are contained be-
neath each scale of the large, shining brown cones, are much
valued by the peasantry, they being considered a great deli-
cacy, especially when roasted. The Italian cooks also use
them largely in their soups and ragouts, and in the Maritozii
buns of Rome. In the vast pine woods which lie along the
Portuguese seaboard, the filbert-like cone kernels of the same
species are also largely used as food. In passing, it may be
of interest to state that both the above species thrive well in
this country, and have produced seeds that are quite equal in
point of flavour and size to those sent from abroad. The
sweet and highly nutritious seeds of the nut or digger pine
{P. Sabiniand) are particular favourites of, and much relished
by, the North American Indians, forming, as they do, their
chief food resource for nearly half the year. Climbing the
trees, the men and boys beat off the cones with heavy sticks,
or, faiUng to reach them in that way, cut off wholesale the
branches on which they are most plentifully produced.
Owing to the hard, bone-like character of the cones, the seeds
can only be readily extracted by means of fire, and an in-

174 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

teresting sight it is to see the squaws seated by the bright
camp fire roasting the cones, until the hard scales fly open
with a crackling noise and liberate the seeds. The cones are
trcily noble objects, one now before me produced in Southern
. England being fully 6 inches long by nearly the same in
greatest width, and of a pleasing rich chocolate colour, and
composed of sharply hooked and downward bent scales. The
seeds are large, only thirty being included in one ounce
weight.

Amongst the Afghan villagers of the Himalayas, the seeds
of P. Gerardiana are highly prized, while they are regarded as a
rare delicacy by the poorer residents in Northern India ; and
in Nepaul and Bhotan those of the beautiful P. longifolia are
much in request. The peculiarly interesting P. monophylla
produces small cones hardly more than 3 inches long, but the
seeds, which are wingless, and produced two beneath each
scale, are a rare delicacy amongst the hill tribes of the
Sierra-Nevada mountains, and also form an important article
of commerce amongst several of these Indian communities.
P. edulis also produces large and very palatable seeds, though
the cones are but small, and in New Mexico and Colorado
they are extensively used as food by the native Indians of
these parts. The well-known Araucaria imbricata produces,
even in this country, immense globular cones about 9 inches
in diameter, each containing upwards of two hundred seeds.
These are large and edible, and used as food — raw, roasted,
and boiled — by the natives of Chili, particularly the Araucaro
Indians of the South. To the English palate they are not
very agreeable, whether raw or cooked, the flavour being de-
cidedly resinous, this, however, to a great extent being got
rid of by boiling the seeds.

It is hardly likely that pine nuts will ever find much favour
in this country, although the comfits supplied by Messrs.
Fuller, of the Strand and Regent Street, and which consist of
the kernels embedded in sugar, are both toothsome and
enjoyable.

CHAPTER IX. ' " ?v.V#/V •'u-

ENEMIES OF CONIFERS. * ^ ' ^ 0 .

(l) Insects.

Several species of coniferae are at times attacked by insect
pests, the following being a list of such as have been found
most injurious, with an account of the trees they infest, and
the best known means for their extermination.

Pine beetle {Myelophilus piniperda). — This beetle at-
tacks the Scotch pine {Pinus silvestris)^ the Corsican {P.
Laricio\ the Austrian (/*. Laricio austriaca), and the Aleppo
{P, halepensis). I have also known it to attack the spruce
{Picea excelsa) and the Weymouth pine {P. Sirobus)^ but
very rarely. At Kew, both Pimis muricata and P, insignis
have been attacked by this beetle. The principal injury done
by this insect consists in the destruction of the leading shoots
of the tree it attacks. It bores into the side of the shoot till
it reaches the pith, then tunnels upwards, making an exit at
the terminal bud. This tunnelling so weakens the shoot that
it is easily broken over during stormy weather

During the summer months — June, July, and August — the
beetle is most abundant. The beetle is propagated in dead
and dying wood ; old stumps are also favourite breeding-
places.

Unfortunately it is not only unhealthy trees that are
attacked by this insect, for I have had to deal on several
occasions with the attacks on rapid-growing specimens of
several species of Pinus. The insect is greatly on the increase
in this country, and during the present season the plantations
in Forfarshire, Bedfordshire, and other parts of the country
have suffered to an almost alarming extent from its attacks.

175

176 HARDY COIS'IFEROUS TREES.

Burning all dead and d}ing brushwood, so as to do away
with the breeding-grounds of the insect, is the only reasonable
remedy when whole plantations are attacked ; but in the case
of single specimens, collecting and burning the affected shoots
is to be recommended.

Pine weevil {Curadio Abietis) attacks several species of
Pinus, Picca, and Abies. The buds of the leading shoots or the
bark on the stem and branches suffer most. It is a blackish-
brown beetle, nearly \ an inch long, and usually attacks
young trees up to twelve years old. The breeding-ground
being dead and dying wood, recently felled trees and their
stumps, one means of retaining the insect in check will be
the keeping of the woodlands free from such. Fresh pieces
of pine bark placed beneath infested trees often prove
excellent traps. The trees should be shaken carefully, and
the traps examined the following morning, when many insects
may be destroyed.

Pine saw-fly {Lophyrus /^/;//>— Although not plentiful
in this country, this insect occasionally commits much damage
by defoliating the conifers on which it is found. The full-
grown caterpillar is of a greenish-yellow colour, about i inch
long, the male smaller than the female. By shaking the cater-
pillars into a sheet placed beneath the infested tree, many
may be collected and destroyed. Sprinkling the trees with
Paris green or Hellebore is also to be recommended. I have
counted one hundred and seventy caterpillars on a shoot
under twelve inches long.

Pine shoot mot lis {Retinia turionella and R. buoliana).
— These usually attack the ^various species of Pinus, but I
have only found them on P. Strobus, P. exceisa, P. silvestris,
and P, Pinaster. Quite recently I visited a Scotch pine
plantation, the buds of the trees in which were in many
instances quite destroyed by the caterpillars of this beautifully
coloured moth. At the base of the buds the moth lays its
eggs, and into these the caterpillars enter by hollowing out
the centre, thus destroying their vitality, and causing them to
feel soft and empty to the touch, and to take on a withered

INSECTS INJURIOUS TO CONIFEROUS TREES. 177

appearance. Hand picking specimen conifers is to be re-
commended, but with an infested area of trees it is very
difficult to deal. Lighting a fire to windward of the infested
trees, and causing the smoke of coal or creosote to pass over,
is an excellent remedy.

Larch miner {Coleophora laricella) lays its eggs at the
end of June on the needles of the larch, the tiny caterpillars
mining into and feeding on the interior of these, causing them
to turn brown and withered. Living in the tube thus formed
during the winter,it changes to a pupa, and ultimately to a moth.

Bostrichus typog'raphus appears like fine white
wool spreading over the stems and branches of several species
of conifers. It attacks the Douglas fir, Abies Nordmannianay
A. pectinata, Pinus Strobus, and several other species. Trees
growing under unfavourable conditions suffer most, and the
best remedy with infested specimens is to correct these con-
ditions.

Larch aphis {Chermes laricis) attacks the larch, but
its depredations are not considerable.

Spruceg^ail aphis {Chermes Abietis). — The attacks
are confined principally to the common spruce {Picea excelsa),
but I have also known P. orientalise P. sitchensis^ and P. nigra
to be severely damaged by the same insect. The attacked
trees are rendered very unsightly by reason of the cone-like
excrescences that are formed at the instigation of the insect
on the shoots. It is brought about by the female aphis pierc-
ing with her beak or sucker one of the buds, and drawing
off the sap, the consequence being an unnatural growth at
that part. The only known remedy is to collect the cone-
like excrescences and have them destoyed.

PiSSOdes notata attacks young trees of several species
of Pinus, but principally such as are growing under unfavour-
able conditions. The eggs are laid on pine trunks, and the
larvae feed under the bark.

Wood wasps {^Sirex gigas and 5. juvencus) are by no
means uncommon in the British Isles, and have been found
on the larch, spruce, silver fir, and cedars, They are formid-

i;S HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

able and splendid insects — 5. gigas being black and yellow of
colour and like our commort wasp, while 5. juveiicus is of a
shining steel-blue, with reddish markings on the male. The
larvae are stout white grubs, which bore obliquely towards the
heart of the tree, and often the galleries are in such numbers
that the tree is killed thereby, and the timber rendered useless
in consequence. I have found 5. juvencus very plentiful on
the Scotch and cluster pines, in Kent. Where wood wasps
abound, dead and dying trees should be removed before the
images appear in summer.

Abies nobilis, A. amabilis, and A. lasiocarpa^ particularly the
former, are subject to the attacks of an insect nearly allied to
that which causes the American blight on apple trees. The
attacked portions, generally the buds or base of the leaves,
present gouty, usually cup-shaped swellings, and which, with
the growth of the shoots, increase proportionally in size.
When cut into, the swollen portions are of a spongy appear-
ance, and these unsightly deformities not only tell hardly on
the health of the trees effected, but render them utterly value-
less from either an ornamental or commercial standpoint.
An application of fir-tree oil has been found useful at the
initial stage of the disease.

Wireviforms injure seedling conifers of most kinds by
gnawing the tender stems through at or above ground level.
Amongst the rarer conifers Abies nobilis, A. Nordinanniana, A.
grandis, Pinus Cembra, P. Strobus, and P. Pinaster, are often
attacked. Paring and burning the nursery soil, or top-
dressing with gas-lime, are fairly successful methods of
keeping the wireworm in check ; but after the seedlings
appear above ground, pieces of buried carrot, potato, or oil-
cake, act as excellent traps.

The above insects are only such as are commonly met with
and commit most damage in this country, but there are many
others.

ANIMALS INJURIOUS TO CONIFEROUS TREES. 179

(2) Animals.

Hare and Rabbit. — These must come first on the
list, being the most generally destructive to coniferous trees
of any of our woodland animals. Immense damage has re-
sulted from the depredations of both, particularly on estates
where they are preserved and occur in quantity. Few coni-
ferous trees would seem to come amiss to either the hare or
rabbit, particularly during long-continued frosty weather ; and
amongst others we have found the various species of Cedrus,
Cupressus, Picea, Abies, and Larix at times badly damaged.
The species of Finns are, from their rough bark, more
exempt from attacks, but under exceptional circumstances we
have known many to suffer from the gnawing of both these
animals, and some of the rarer and more tender have been
proved to be particularly susceptible. P. Bungeana, P. Hart-
wegii, P. longifolia, and P. vionticola, are freely attacked in a
young state.

The best preventive, undoubtedly, is wire-netting placed
around the specimens, and inserted in the ground in an out-
ward curved position for about 6 inches. With standard
specimens, where the stems are unbranched, the bark of the
oak or Spanish chestnut, placed around the trunk and kept in
position by bands of wire, has been found of decided value in
warding off attacks. This system of protection is cheap, and
well worthy of wide adoption.

Squirrels are far more destructive to coniferous trees
than is generally supposed, they attacking not only the bark
but the buds, young shoots, and cones. For the soft, woolly
bark of Sequoia sempervirens, they have a far-famed liking,
while the young shoots of many species of Pimis and Picea
suffer to an inordinate extent during certain seasons. Even
large branches and stems of Pinus silvestris, Abies pectinata,
and Larix europcea have been so severely gnawed by squirrels
that they readily broke across during stormy weather. The

180 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

cones of many species are attacked in a wholesale manner for
the sake of the young succulent seeds, of which the squirrel is
particularly fond. Pimis Pinaster^ P. Pinea, P. silvestris,
P. Cembra^ P. excelsa^ P. Strobiis, and P. monticola are most
frequently attacked. In 1879 enormous damage was done
to larch plantations in the Forest of Dean by squirrels. In
many places the surface of the ground was quite covered
with the fallen and decaying debris, large branches, and in
many instances the whole top of the tree, being broken off.
The squirrels peeled off broad rings of the bark round the
branch or bole of the tree. The parts of the stem and
branches beyond the barked portions were thus killed, and
rapidly decaying, soon gave way and were broken off by the
wind. During the present season the woods on the estate of
Carolside, near Earlston, belonging to Lord Reay, have
suffered serious injury from the attacks of the large number
of squirrels by which they are infested. It is estimated that
damage in this way to the extent of several hundred pounds
has been done to the timber on the Carolside estate. The
only way of lessening the evil is by reducing the numbers by
shooting, and this should only be attempted when the squirrel
is on the ground or a distant branch, so that injury to the
stem and branches by the leaden shots may be minimised as
much as possible.

Rats, Mice, and Voles.— When growing by the pond
or stream many species of conifers are damaged by the above-
named vermin. We have known the common rat to commit
serious damage to the stems of Picea nigra^ Abies nobilis,
A. balsamea, Cedriis atlantica, Fitzroya patagonica, Athrotaxis
selaginoides, Torreya Calif ornica, and the common larch, by
gnawing off the bark quite around the stem from the ground
level upwards. By tying small branches placed on end
thickly around the stems and smearing these with tar, a stop
was put to further depredations.

The roots of young larch and Scotch pines have in certain
cases suffered severely by the vole or water-rat, the bark of
the stems just under ground level being also attacked,

DISEASES OF CONIFEROUS TREES. ISl

(3) Birds.

Unless in a few instances, the injury committed by birds to
coniferous trees is not very great.

Black g^anrie are, perhaps, the worst enemies, but, fortu-
nately, it is only in Scotland that their ravages are at all
serious. The Scotch, Austrian, Corsican, and Weymouth
pines would seem to suffer most, and on a large estate in
northern Scotland thousands of trees have in a single season
been denuded of almost every bud by these destructive birds.
Smearing the young trees with Davidson's composition, or
keeping boys to drive the birds off, are the only known means
of lessening the evil.

The Crossbill when unable to procure its more natural
food — coniferous tree seeds — will attack the buds of certain
species of Finns and Picea. These birds appeared in vast
numbers and attacked the buds and cones of the Scotch pine
to such an injurious extent in plantations in northern Ireland
some years ago, that men had to be employed to shoot them
down wholesale.

The Bullfinchi too, has been known to commit great
damage in larch plantations by attacking the buds, particularly
in early spring when other food is scarce.

The Capercaillle does great damage to young pine
and larch woods in Scotland by destroying the terminal and
other buds and shoots. The attacks are mainly confined to
P. silvestris and rarely to the spruce {Picea excelsa) and larch,
while the berries oi Jimiperus communis are eaten in quantity.

(4) Diseases.

These are many, but only such as are ot special interest to
the cultivator of coniferous trees in this country, whether from

182 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

their wide range or injurious effects, will be brought under
notice.

The common juniper {Jtmiperiis communis) and the Savin
(/. Sabind), the former in particular, suffer severely from the
attacks of a species of well-known fungus, Gymnosporangia.
This fungus produces the peculiar woody, knob-like swellings
which so distort and kill out numbers of specimens of the
juniper on our English commons and downs. It spreads
with great rapidity, and would seem to have been on the
increase of late years, as in the Midland and Southern English
counties, large extents of juniper have been almost totally
destroyed by its ravages during the past twelve months.
When badly attacked with the fungus, the plants wear a
rusty, meagre appearance, and gradually die off with the
increase of the disease. I have counted as many as seven
of these woody swellings on a branch only 4 feet in
length, and on a single bush hardly exceeding 8 feet in
spread I counted thirty-seven. To the Irish juniper (/.
communis hibernicd) the disease likewise extends. By cutting
off the affected shoots, and dressing those on the main stems
with fir tree oil, much good has been brought about.

Several species of Pinus, particularly P. Pinaster^ P.
Strobus, P. excelsUy P. silvestriSy and P. montana^ are attacked
by Trametes radiciperda, the mycelium of which causes
the roots and other attacked portions to rapidly decay.
In replanting ground from which diseased trees have been
removed, the greatest care should be exercised that every
portion of the old stump and roots are taken from the ground,
the mycelium travelling very rapidly from root to root. The
Alaska cypress {Cupressus nootkatensis) has been killed out-
right by the mycelium of Trametes, the disease not only
affecting the roots, but the stem and branches. In one par-,
ticular case the cause was distinctly traced to a piece of
plank that by mistake had been left in the soil, and with which
one of the larger roots of the cypress had come in contact.
The plank was completely enveloped in the mycelium of the
fungus. When attacked, the cypress was a healthy vigorous

DISEASES OF CONIFEROUS TREES. 183

tree i8 feet high, the first indications of disease being the
drooping, sickly appearance of the branch tips. Similar in-
stances of the death of Sequoia gigantea and Araucaria
imbricata by the above fungus could be given.

Several species of Peridennium attack and cause much
damage to Finns insignis, P. /lalepensis, P. Sirobus^ and P.
montana. The disease not only causes an inordinate secretion
of turpentine, but the cambium of the wood is destroyed, and
the branches frequently die off in consequence. Pruning and
burning the injured portions of the attacked trees is to be
recommended,

Peridermium columnare has of late years been very de-
structive to the silver fir {Abies pectinatd), less so to the
Cephalonian fir {A. cephalonicd) in several parts of Ireland
and elsewhere. When attacked, both the branches and leaves
wear a peculiar and conspicuous rusty appearance. Too close
growth of the trees is the main cause of attack, and judicious
thinning has, in several instances, put a premature end to the
spread of the fungus.

Cedrus Deodara I have known to be completely killed out
by the presence in great quantities of a species of Polyporus ;
and at Ampthill, in Bedfordshire, an unusually large Cedrus
Libani was badly infested throughout with a similar fungus,
and had to be felled in consequence.

The twiggy growths known as " witches brooms " are caused
by the mycelium of ^cidium elatirtum. They are found on
Abies Nordnianniana^ A. peetinata, A. Pinsapo^ A. balsamea^
Pseudotsuga Douglasii, and other conifers. Pruning off and
burning affected branches is to be recommended.

When growing in too damp soil, I have known Cryptoineria
Japonica, Sequoia gigantea, and Cttpressus macrocarpa, to have
their roots badly injured by the mycelium of a species oi Hym-
enomyceta; whilst, again, when planted in unsuitable soils, Picea
morinda, Piniis excelsa, and our common larch, suffer severely
from both Agaricus melleus and Polyporus sulphureus.

I have known a nursery brake, containing 60,000 one-year-
old larches, entirely denuded by the mycelium of a fungus

184 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

which undoubtedly had been imported in the leaf-mould and
decaying woody matter that had been used for top-dressing,
thus showing with what care manures should be added to the
soil in which young trees are to be planted.

The common larch suffers to an inordinate extent in Great
Britain from the attacks of the now well - known fungus
Peziza Wilkommii, in fact the wide devastation to large
plantations of the tree owing to this cause is little short of a
national calamity.

CHAPTER X.

VARIABILITY OF CONIFEROUS TREES.

Few facts in connection with coniferous trees have impressed
me more than their extreme variability, whether when grow-
ing under the same or different conditions as to soil, aspect,
or situation. I have repeatedly known foresters, and other
persons who were deeply interested in coniferous trees, quite
at a loss to casually recognise on one estate species with
which they were perfectly familiar in other parts of the
country ; and very often it has happened that specimens
sent for the purpose of recognition have, owing to a variety
of causes, been wrongly named by our greatest authorities on
conifer nomenclature. In the latter case I refer directly to
foliage, the fruit forming an unerring guide to identity.

The common Scotch pine {Finns silvestris) varies to a wide
extent in general aspect, foliage, and size and shape of cones ;
and the same may be said, though in a greatly increased
manner, of the Corsican pine (P. Laricid) and its numerous
forms. Until quite recently, E. Laricio austriaca was ranked
as a distinct species, but along the margins of a single planta-
tion at Penrhyn Castle, North Wales, every link between the
typical P. Laricio and the so-called P, austriaca can be seen.
How greatly different trees of P. Strobus vary in length of foliage
and size of cone, a remark that applies with still greater force
to the Mexican P. Montezumce. P. Massoniana^ ^.ndP.parviJlora
are other examples of extreme variability, both in aspect and
colour of foliage, and specimens of these, growing near the
shores of Lough Neagh, in Ireland, are as widely different

i8S

186 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

from what one sees in the EngHsh parks as could well be
imagined.

To see Abies Pinsapo growing on chalk at High Elms, in
Kent, or Tsuga Canadensis by the margins of the Drakelow
Lakes at Woburn Abbey, their identification with other
specimens of the same species, as usually seen, would be a
by no means easy task for the amateur. No one, even an
expert in conifer nomenclature, would readily reconcile two
specimens of Juniperus communis collected from one of the
Hertfordshire or Kentish commons. Whether in habit, shape,
length of leaves, or general foliage tint, different specimens
would appear to be widely separated and hardly recognisable
unless by the person who studied them on their native downs.
But amongst all coniferous trees none would appear to vary
more than the justly familiar Ctipressus Lawsoniana, I have
often noticed in a bed of these plants raised from
seeds collected from one and the same tree that the
variability in general character is truly remarkable. Some
are strict and others of decidedly pendulous growth, some
are of a dark sombre green as compared with the silvery hue
of others, while some are giants and others dwarfs. Both
Abies Nordmanniana and A. grandis vary greatly under
cultivation, and some specimens of the former that have been
brought under my notice are hardly distinguishable from the
common silver fir i^A. pectinata). Then the bifid foliage of
certain stages of growth of A. firma has caused much
uncertainty and considerable differences of opinion as to the
specific rank of this and other nearly allied species.

A. bracieata, A. nobilis, A. amabilis, A, cephalonica, Pseu-
dotsiiga Douglasii, Sequoia sempervirens^ Pimis densijiora^
Tsuga Mertensiana^ Ctipressus Goveniana^ C lusitanica, and
various species of Torreya and Cephalotaxits all wear a re-
markable tint of green when growing in Ireland, and which I
attribute solely to the humid atmosphere combined with
suitable soil.

The wide and marked differences that exist between the
juvenile and adult foliage of certain forms of Juniperus^

VARIABILITY OF CONIFEROUS TREES. 187

Cupressus (including Retinispora and Chamcecyparis), and
Thuya, have in many instances led to increased, confused,
and erroneous nomenclature. Fortunately, of late years,
many doubtful points have been satisfactorily cleared up, and
we are now enabled to correctly refer certain previously
acknowledged genera to their proper rank of species, and
species to that of variety. Notable examples of this kind
include Cryptomeria japonica elegans, in which only the
primordial leaves are produced ; the so-called Retinispora
ericoides and Biota meldensis, which are only undeveloped forms
of the Chinese arborvita^ ( Thuya orientalis), in which the scale-
like foliage is suppressed ; Thuya Elhvangeriana, a form of T.
occidentalis bearing both adult and juvenile foliage ; Retini-
spora leptoclada, R. squarrosa ; and some little-known forms
of Cupressus torulosa and Juniperus virginiana.

Generally speaking, the origin of these forms may be
accounted for by the fact that amongst the cypresses, junipers,
and arborvitaes, the foliage of seedling plants is long and
needle-like, and in many instances, but at indefinite periods,
succeeded by scale-like leaves. At what period of their
growth this change of foliage may take place is very uncertain,
and that too, I have frequently noticed with different conifers
from the same batch of seedlings, some assuming the adult
foliage at an early date, while others remain in the primordial
condition for an almost indefinite period. Cryptomeria
japonica elegans is an example of the latter kind, the prim-
ordial or juvenile character having been retained for thirty
years, at present no signs of breaking away from the seedling
stage being visible in a specimen of that age. Retinispora
ericoides (properly Thuya orientalis ericoides) is simply an
undeveloped form of the Chinese arborvitse, the fruit, as I
have seen, differing in no way from that of the species.

By continual propagation from the juvenile stage a fixed
character may therefore be established, and many forms so
obtained are highly ornamental and of great value for orna-
mental purposes ; so that the practice amongst conifers is cer-
tainly to be recommended. Of Cupressus torulosa and Jtmi-

188 HARDY CONIFEROUS TREES.

ptrus virginiana^ some interesting forms will soon be offered
for sale ; but the most curious and interesting of any are two
pines that would puzzle any conifer lover to define their
parentage.

INDEX.

Synonyms are indiatUd by itaUcs.

Abiks acicularis

— ajanensis

— alba

— Albertiana

— Alcockiana

— anuibilis

— ApoUinis

— arctica

— atlaniica
— -balsamea
hadsonica

— bifida

— bifolia

— brachyphylla

— bracteata

— BridgesH

— Brurumiana

— cctruUa

— agrulescens

— campylocarpa

— canadensis

— candicans

— cedroides

— Cedrus

— cephaknica
hybrid

— chilaatsis

— dlicica

— ClanbrassiUatui

— cetrulea

Abies firma

— Fortunei

— Fraseri

— glauca
— gramdis

— GriffiiJuama

— Harryana

— hirUUi

— luthpkyUa

— Hooieriama

— Hudsonica
— jaoensis

— KatmfferH

— KJmtroto

— lasiocarpa

— lepiolepis

— Loviaoa

— nu^iufica

— JU€tTUinXl

— Marirsii

ctmcolor
— Tidlacea
curoifoHa
dauifiora
DongUuU

Ei^tbnannii
• excclstt

AUtmiestt
Meriensiama

M^rimda

—glome*
nephroid

_,u-

— Porryotto
■— ParsmtsuoMi
Pattomutm*

£ul]fi3ata

— Picea

1S9

190

INDEX.

Abies Pichta

— Pindrffiu

— Pinsapo

Hamondii

variegata

— re^na Atnalia

— religiosa

— rubra ccerulea

— sachalinensis

— sibirica

— sitchensis

— Smithiana

— sub-alpina

— taxifolia

— torano

— Tsuga

— Veitchii
sachalinensis

— venusta

— vulgaris

— Webbiana
Pindrow

— Williamsoni
yEcidium elatinum
Agaricus melleus

Animals injurious to Conifers
Araucaria imbricata
Arceuthos driipacece
Athrotaxis cupressoides

— Doniana

— laxifolia

— selaginoides

B

Biota, see Thuya
Birds injurious to Conifers
Black game injurious to Conifers
Bostrichus typographus
Bullfinch injurious to Conifers

Capercaillie injurious to Conifers
Cedrus africana

— argent ea

— atlantica

— — glauca

— Deodara

crassi folia

robusta

viridis

— indie a

— Libani

argentea

brevifolia

decidua

Cedrus Libani nana

patula

pendula

Cephalotaxus drupacea

— Fortunei

— Harringtonia

— pedunculata

fastigiata

sphseralis

— tardiva

CkanuEcyparis, see Cupressus
Chermes Abietis

— laricis

Coleophora laricella
Conifer products
Coniferous trees, enemies of
timber of

variability of

Conifers and soils

— classification and description of

— commercial aspect of

— edible seeds of

— enemies of

— for avenues

chalky and calcareous soils

clayey soils

— — confined spaces

economic planting

exposed situations

gravelly and sandy soils

hedge purposes

peaty soils

smoky localities

the seaside

various positions

— from cuttings
seed

— grafting

— layering

— table of weights of seeds of
Crossbill injurious to Conifers
Cryptomeria japonica

araucarioides

elegans

nana

fastigiata

Lobbii

nana

Sandersii

spiralis

Cunninghamia sinensis
Cupressus arizonica

— arotnatica

— Balofuriana

— Benthami

— Boursieri

— californica

— Coulteri

— comuta

INDEX.

191

Cupressus excelsa
— fastigiata
— flagelliformis
— fragrans

— funebris

— glandulosa

— glauca

— glob ulif era

— Goveniana
glauca

— guadeloupensis

— Hartwegii
— Japonica

— Knightiana

— Lambertiana

— Lawsoniana

alba spica

variegata

Alumi

argentea

variegata

aureo-marginata

Bowleri

coerulescens

com pacta

elegantissima

erecta viridis

filifera

Fleeti

gracilis pendula

Haskin's variety

intertexta

lutea

nana

stricta

Young's variety

— Lindleii

— lusitanica

— Macnabiana

— macrocarpa

fastigiata

Guadeloupensis

lutea

— nepalensis

— nivalis

— nootkatensis

argentea variegat?

aurea variegata

compacta

lutea

pendula

— obtusa

argentea

aurea

compacta

filicoides

filifera

Keteleerii

lutea

Cupressus obtusa lycopodiodes

nana

pendula

pygmaea

— pisifera

plumosa

albo picta

argentea

— aurea

— pyra m idalis

— sempervirens
horizontalis

— squarrosa
dubia

— thurifera

— Thyoides

glauca

Hoveii

leptoclada

nana

variegata

— torulosa
Corneyana

— Tournefortii

— Uhdeand

— Whitleyana
Curculio Abietis

Dacrydium Franklinii
Diseases of Conifers

FiTZROYA patagonica

G

Ginkgo biloba

aurea

macrophylla

Gymnosporangia injuring Conifers

H

Hares injuring Conifers
Hymenomyceta

Insects injurious to Conifers

JUNIPERUS alpina
— argentea

192

INDEX.

Juniperus aromatica

— australis

— baccifortnis

— bermudiaria

— californica
utahensis

— canadensis

— chinensis

albo-variegata

aurea

— chinensis (Japanese form)

aurea do.

variegata do.

— Chamberlainii

— cinerea

— communis

canadensis

compressa

cracovia

hemispherica

hibernica

nana

neaboriensis

oblonga

suecica

— drupacea

— excelsa

stricta

— fastigiata

— flagelliformis

— glauca

— Gossainthaineana

— hibernica

— hispanica
— japonic a

aurea

variegata

— macrocarpa

— nieldensis

— nana

— nepalensis

— occidentalis
monosperma

— osteosperma

— Oxycedrus

— pachyphloea

— pendula

— phcenicea

— procuynbens

— psuedo-Sabina

— pyratn idalis

— pyriformis

— recur va
squamata

— Keevesiana

— religiosa

— rigida

— rufescens

— Sabina

Juniperus Sabina tamariscifolia
variegata

— Schottii

— Sheppardii

— sibirica

— sphoerica
Sheppardii

— squamata

— stricta

— suecica

— tamariscifolia

— taurica

— tetragona

— thurifera

— Uhdeana

— venusta

— virginiana

argentea

aurea-variegata

Bedfordiana

dumosa

glauca

pendula

Schottii

tripartita

— Whitleyana

— Witt7nanniana

Keteleeria Fortune

Larch miner

— aphis

Larix americana

— brevifolia

— cedrus

— chinensis

— coimnunis

— davurica

— decidua

— Deodara

— europaea
pendula

— Griffithii
— japonica

— Kcempferii

— leptolepis

— microcarpa

— occidentalis

— patula

— pendula

— pyramidalis

— sibirica

— vulgaris
Libocedrus chilensis

— decurrens

INDEX.

195

Libocedrus decurrens glauca

— Craigtana

— Doniana

— tetragona
Lophyrus Pini

M

Mice injuring Conifers

Peridermium columnare
Peziza Wilkommii
Picea acicularis

— ajanensis
microsperma

— alba

— Alcockiana

— amabilis

— australis

— balsamea

— bicolor

— bifolia

— brachyphylla

— bracteata

— Breweriana

— californica

— canadensis

— eephalonica

— cilicica

— concolor

— Engelnianni
glauca

— excelsa

aurea

brevi folia

Clanbrasiliana

elegans

Finedonensis

Gregoryana

inverta

— — Maxwelli

pygmsea

stricta

viminalis

— firma

— Fortunei

— Fraseri

— Glehnii

— grandis

— homolepis
— Jezoensis

— lasiocarpa

— Lowiana

— magnificat

— Maximowiczii

— Menziesii

— Morinda

— nigra

Picea nigra Doumetti

— nobilis

— Nord?natrniana

— obovata
— japonica

— Omorica

— orientalis

aurea

pygmgea

— pectinata

— Pichia

— Pindrow

— Pinsapo

— polita

— pungens

argentea

glauca

— religiosa

— rubra

— sachalinensis

— sibirica

— sitchensis

— Veitchii

— vulgaris

— Webbiajta
Pine beetle

— sawfly

— shoot moth

— timber

— weevil
Pinus abasica

— Abies

— africana

— alba

— albicaulis

— altaica

— altissima

— amabilis

— americana

— apulcensis

— arizonica

— australis

— austriaca

— Ayacahuite

— Backhouseana

— Bal four i ana
aristata

— balsamea

— Banksiana

— Beardsleyii

— Benthamiana

— Bolanderii

— Boursieri

— brachyphylla

— Brunoitiana

— Brutia

— Bungeana

— calabrica

— canadensis

N

194

INDEX.

Pin lis carica

— cedrus atlautica

— Cembra
pumila

— cembroides

— cilicica

— clausa

— commutata

— concohr

— contorta

— Coulteri

— craigiana

— dejlexa

— densiflora

— Deodara

— Devoniana

— dumosa

— Edgariana

— edulis

— Ehretibergii

— excelsa

— excelsus
— Jilifolia

— flexilis

— Fortunei

— Fraseri

— Fremontiana

— genevensis

— Gerardiana

— glabra

— Gordoniana

— grandis

— Grenvillea

— Griffithi

— Haageana

— halepensis

— Hamiltonii

— Hartwegii

— Heldreichii

— Helenica

— hispanica

— horizontalis

— htidsonica

— inops
clausa

— insignis

— Jeffreyi

— koraiensis

— Khutroav

— Lambertiana

— Latteri

— Laricio

austriaca

Karamana

Pallasiana

pygmaea

pyrenaica

— laricina

— Larix

Finns Llaveana

— longifolia

— macrocarpa

— Mariana

— maritima

— Alassoniana
aurea

— nurtensiana

— microcarpa

— mitis

— minor

— monophylla

— montana

— Montezumx

macrophylla

Grenvilleoe

Gordoniana

Lindleyana

Wincesteriana

— monticola
porphyrocarpa

— Mugho

— Mughus

— muricata

— Murrayana

— nobilis

— Nuttallii

— oocarpa

— Ofnorica

— orientalis

— osteosperma

— Pallasiana

— Parryana

— Pattoniana

— palustris

— parvi flora

— patula

macrocarpa

— pendula

— Feuke

— Picea

— Pinaster

Hamiltonii

Lemoniana

prolifera

— Pindrow

— Pinea

— Pithyusa

— ponderosa
pendula

— porphyrocarpa

— pseud o-strobus

— pumila

— Pumilio

— pungens

— pyrenaica

— radiata

— rejlexa

— resinosa

INDEX.

195

Pinus rigida

— rigensis

— romana

— rubra

— rupestris

— Russelliana

— Sabiniana

— sangidnea

— selenolepis

— serotina

— shasta

— silvestris
argentea

— — aurea

monophylla

pumila

pygmsea

— Shiclairiana

— sinensis

— sitchensis

— Skimieri

— Smithiaiia

— sirobiformis

— Strobus
nana

— tabtdiformis

— taurica

— taxifolia

— Tceda

— Thunbergii
■ aurea

— Torreyana

— Tsuga

— tuberculata

— zimbraadifera

— uncinata

— variabilis

— venusta

— Wincesteriana
Pissodes notata
Podocarpus alpina

— andina

— antarctica

— chilina

— macrophylla

— salignus
Polyporus sulphureus
Propagating Conifers
Prumnopitys elegans
Pseudolarix Kaempferi
Pseudotsuga Douglasii
pendula

Stairii

taxifolia

Rabbits injuring Conifers
Rats injuring Conifers
Retinia buoliana

Retinia turionella
Retinispora^ see Cupressus

— andelyensis

— decussata

— dubia

— Ellwangeri

— ericoides
— filicoides
— Ji lifer a

— jtmiperoides

— leptoclada

— lycopodioides

— meldensis

— obttisa

— pisifera

— plumosa

— squarrosa

— tetragona

Saxegothea conspicua
Sciadopitys verticillata
Sequoia gigantea

aurea

pendula

— sempervirens

adpressa

albo-spica

Sirex gigas

— juvencus
Spruce gall Aphis
Strasburg turpentine
Squirrels injurious to Conifers
Stachycarpus andina

Taxodium distichum

pendulum

— japonicum

— mucronatum

— Knightii

— jnexicanum

— microphylhim

— Montezufncs

— nuciferufn

— sefnpervirens

— sinensis
Taxus adpressa

— baccata

adpressa

erecta

variegata

aurea

baccata canadensis

cheshuntensis

Bourserii

Dovastonii

elegantissima

19G

INDEX.

Taxus baccata erecta

empetrifolia

ericoides

fastigiata

argentea

aurea

fructo-luteo

Jacksonii

nana

Nidpathensis

nigra

procumbens

Washingtonia

— brevifolia

— canadensis
variegata

— cuspidata

— Harriiigtonii
— japonic a

— Lindleyana

— nucifera

— Washinfflonii

Thuya, including Biota and Thuyopsis

— aurea

— caitcasica

— chilensis

— chinensis

— compacta

— Craigiana

— dolabrata

IcEte-virens

nana

variegata

— Doniana

— dumosa

— Ellwangeriana
— filiformis

— gigantea

compacta

pendula

— plicata

— japonica

— Lobbi

— Meldensis

— Menziesii

— occidentalis

argentea

aurea

compacta

Ellwangeriana

ericoides

Hoveii

lutea

pendula

plicata

Vervaneana

Wareana

— oricntalis

aurea

densa ^lauca

Thuya orientalis elegantissima

ericoides

falcata

falcata lutea

filiformis

meldensis

pendula

semperaurescens

Zuccariniana

— tatragona

— plicata

— plicata cristata

— pendula

— sihirica

— sphccroidea

— Standishii

— tatarica

— tetragona

— VervcEiieana

— Wareatia

— Zuccariniana

— Zuccarini

Thtiyopsisj see Cupressus and Thuya

— borealis

— dolab7-ata

— Standishii
Torreya califomica

— grandis

— Myristica

— nucifera

— taxi folia
Trametes radiciperda
Tsuga Alhertiana

— Balfouriana

— Brunoniana

— canadensis

aurea

compacta

globularis erecta

macrophylla

nana

parvifolia

pendula

— carol iniana

— diversifolia

— Douglasii

— Hookeriana

— Lindleyana

— Mertensiana

— Pattoniana

— Sieboldi
nana

— Williamsonii

Voles injuring Conifers

W

WelUngtonia^ see Sequoia
Wireworms

Wood-wasps

p;t^^^ A'lS^- ?* ■'' ^^

W?^?

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