UNIVERSITY OF BCUBRARY 3 9424 00126 1566 Forest I re 6"^ of Canada S10FFT.:ES/ , ^ Kb. b n fOersify of British Cylambia V'-i THE GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. FOREST TREES OF CANADA. EOBEET BELL, M.D., F.G.S., C.E., Assistant Director of the Geological Survey op Canada. {FROM THE REPORT OF THE SURVEY FOR 1880.) 1883. \ MONTEEAL : PRINTED BY THE GAZETTE PRINTING COMPANY. 1882. I i THE GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION FOREST TREES OF CANADA, EOBEKT BELL, M.D., F.G.S./C.E., Assistant Dikector of the Geological Survey of Canada. {FROM THE REPORT OF THE SURVEF FOR iSSo.) 1883. MONTREAL : PRINTED BY THE GAZETTE PRINTING COMPANY. 1882. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from University of British Columbia Library http://www.archive.org/details/geographicaldisOObell THE NORTHERN LIMITS OF THE PRINCIPAL FOREST TREES OF CANADA, EAST OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS. (Represented on the accompanying Map.) Ou the iiccompuuyiiig map the general iiorthei-n limits of the piiuei- pal Ibrest trees of Canada, east of the Eocky Mountains, are repre- sented. The lines have been laid down chiefly from observations made Autiioritici for by the writer dui'ing- the last twenty-flve years, extending from New- foundland nearly to the Rocky Mountains, and fj-om the northern United States to the eastern and western shores of Hudson's Bay. The limiting lines of the species which extend into the far North-west are Far North-west drawn from information received from various officers of the Hudson's Bay Comjiany, and from the data furnished by the accounts and maps of the dilt'erent scientific travellers who have penetiated these j-egions. In the more southej-n regions, many details have been obtained from lumbermen and botanists which have helped to determine the lines with great accuracy in certain localities. Among the botanists may be Botanists, mentioned Mr. A. T. Diiimmond, the late Dr. John Bell, Professors Law\son, Bailey, 3Iacomi and N. H. Winchell, also the older botanists who have written on our flora. Thanks are due to my colleagues on the Geological Survey, Messrs. Richai-dson and Webster, ibr some lacts Geologists. on the distribution of trees in the Province of Quebec, and to Messrs. Fletcher, Ells and Broad, lor utheis as to the Maritime Provinces, while Mr. A. S. Cochrane has made careful notes on this subject during our explorations in the North-west territories. To Captain William . Kennedy, the Arctic explorer, now residing in Manitoba, thanks are Capt. Kennedy. due for valuable information as to the trees of the peninsula of Labra- dor, in ditt'erent parts of which he spent a number of years in the service of the Hudson's Bay Company. The Hon. D. A. Smith, Wx. Robert Crawfoj-d, and others who have resided in the Labi -ado r coun- Labrador, try, have also given notes on the timber, which have greatly facilitated the approximate determination of the limits of the species found in that lai-ge peninsula. Xeai-ly till the reports of the Geological Survey, from 1857 to 1879, contain more or less information on the distribution of timber trees, but pi-evioiis to the former year the writer had sttidied the forests of southern Ontario and the Ottawa valley. In a paper on the " Trees and Shrubs of Lake Superior," published in the Ti'ansac- Lake Superior, tions of the Botanical Society of Canada in 1861, he pointed out a number of facts iji regard to the geographical distribution of trees \i\ that region, which had not been previously observed. In 1873, the northern limits of our principal timber trees in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia were laid down in Original map. colored lines on a large sheet, to illustrate a lectui-e before the Natui-al History Society of Montreal, by Mr. A. T. Di-ummond, on the distribu- tion of plants in Canada. This sheet was loaned to the Department of the Interior, Ottawa, and some of the lines were transferred from it to the large map exhibited by the Department at the Paris International Exhibition of 18T8, A reduction of the same sheet was published in 1879, to accompany a paper by Mx. Drummond in the report of the Montreal Horticultural Society and Fruit-Growers' Association. In the portion of the present map which includes the foiu- provinces referred to, the tree-lines are all carefully revised and corrected. The northern Thirty species limits of thirty of the principal species of our forest trees are outlined shewn on map. •; i i i • i on this map, being as lai-ge a number as can be conveniently repre- Forty other sented On SO small a scale. About forty other species, however, besides species east of .,. ,i.. />it\-. n ^ -n i the Rocky xMts. shrubs, occur withm the limits ot the Dominion east oi the Kocky Mountains. A list of these, with notes on their geograjDhical distribu- tion, is added to that of the species mentioned on the map. One of the principal uses of this map is to indicate the area within the Dominion throughout which each kind of timber exists. The abundance and quality of each kind varies much, of course, within Occasional these boundaries. Occasional or chance trees and depauperated repre- beyond limits, sentatives of some of the species shown on the map are known to occur beyond the limits laid down, but as these lines are intended to repre- sent the general boundaries, they could not ftiirly be extended so as to include such cases. More or less extensive outliers or colonies of some trees occui- in situations entirely separated from the main areas occu- Southern ptcd by the species to which they belonc;. The southern boundaries of boundaries. i^ r ^ r> t)i- some of the more northern species, such as the white spruce, ±5anksian pine and balsam poplar, might be nearly included within the map, but to avoid confusion it is considered best to show only the northern limits. Most of our forest trees extend far to the south of the confines of Canada, so that at any point which we choose to select within the Dominion we are apt to find in the forest nearly all the species whose Prof. Sargent, northern limits lie to the north of it. Professor Charles S. Sargent, of Harvard College, a special commissioner in connection with the tenth census of the United States, is preparing maps illusti-ative of the dis- tribution of the woods, prairies and barren grounds of North America, and at his request the writer has had much pleasure in assisting him in this work as far as Canada is concerned. Other practical A knowledge of the limits of our differeni forest trees is also valuable i^nfomatioiu as indicative of climate. Some of these will be found to correspond with the northern limits of the successful cultivation of particular crops. Certain trees cease to exist when they come to regions subject to severe spring or summer frosts, or where early autumn frosts pre- vent them from matm-ing their fruits. Locally, the presence of a par- ticular group of trees is serviceable as a guide to the quality of the soil, but owing to differences in the character of the climate and other circumstances, it is obvious that such a test, although quite reliable within a limited area, may not be at all applicable to another region. Some species appear to find their appropriate conditions in different Situation and latitudes by a change in their habitat : for example, the larch, balsam fir and white birch, which in the north grow freely on dry or hilly ground, towards the southern limits seek the cold ground in swamps. The white cedar and white pine in some places manifest the same tendency. The appropriate temperature for the growth of a number of species Effect^of^^ is carried far to the south of their normal latitudes, along the elevated parts of the continent, especially the AUeghanies and the Eocky Mountains. The range of any species is evidently not governed entirely by the Causes mean annual temperatiu-e. The extremes of heat and cold in the west, range of " as compared with the milder winters and cooler summers in the east, with about the same mean temperatm-e for the year, appears to be the chief cause of the marked difference in the character of the woods in . the two regions, since there is not a sufficient disparity in the amount of the annual precipitation to account for it. A great difference in the moisture of the air in two regions, otherwise resembling each other in climatic conditions, has also a powerful effect upon the growth of forests ; and the dryness of the air in the western prairie and arid reg-ions is, no doubt, the chief cause of the absence of timber. The proximity of the sea, especially where fogs or cold winds are of fre- quent occurrence, has a great influence upon the kinds and the size of the timber, and, in the north, upon the very existence of trees near the coast. Differences in the composition of the soil appear to have only a local effect upon the distribution of forest trees. The study of the geographical distribution of the various forest trees Geological of Noi-th America possesses a certain interest to the geologist as bear- ing upon questions in regard to the condition of the continent in later geological times. The outlines of the areas occupied by the different species, and other circumstances connected with their character and distribution, may throw some light on their dispersion from certain centres or lines, or possibly, in some cases, their contraction from wider limits ; or we may find that some of them have still a tendency to advance or retire. 6 Great variety of trees in Noi th America. Great areas occupied by northern species. Causes. Peculiaritie?. The continent of North Aniericu possesses a great variety of forest trees. About 340 different species occur within the United States. All the kinds which we have in Canada, amountint;- to about ninety, including those of the Pacific slope, are also met with in that country. Some species are not only very widely diffused, but are also persistent over great areas, being found almost evei-j^vhcre within the limits of their distribution, while others, although having an extensive range, are nowhere very common, and are sometimes absent for considerable intervals. Others, again, are confined to comparatively small tracts. As a general rule, the more northern species occupy the greatest extent of country, while the southern ones are progressively more and more i-estricted, even in a more rapid ratio than would be implied by the narrowing of the continent from north to south. This is owing to the great differences experienced in. climatic conditions in going from east to west in the more southern latitudes. Along the northern bor- ders of the foiests of the continent the elevation of the land above the sea is comparatively slight and regular, and the other physical condi- tions are tolerably uniform. As a consequence, we find the most northern group of trees extending from Newfoundland into Alaska, a distance of about 4,000 miles. An inspection of the accompanying map will show some interesting features as to the general distribution of our forest trees, as well as regarding almost every individual species of timber. For example, it will be observed that there is no material change in the woods through- out the gi-eat triangular area embracing about 600,000 square miles, of which the national boundary line between the Eocky Mountains and Lake Superior forms the base, and the Eocky Mountains and Laui-en- tian hills i-ospectively the west and east sides, the apex being at the mouth of the Mackenzie Eiver. In the southern part of this area, a number of species are added to the kinds which everywhere throvigh- out it make up the bulk of the forests, and again, few trees of any land are found to the south of the North Saskatchewan ; still, making allow- ance for local peculiarities of condition, there is a remarkable uniformity in the timber of this enormous area. It includes, however, only a few species, of which the aspen, balsam poplar and willows are more abundant towards the western, and the spruces, larch, balsam fir and Banksian pine towards the eastern side of the area. Limiting lines It will be obscrved that the lines marking the northern limits of towards Red about a dozen species turn southward and become their western limits ^'^^'" OM reaching the eastern side of the valley of Lake Winnipeg and the Eed Eiver ; while the boundaries of the species occurring next to the south of these also manifest a tendency to turn southward in approach- ing the prairies of the west. The species above referred to are the white cedar, black ash, white pine, red pine, sugar maple, yellow birch, red oak, white ash, hemlock, beech, ii'onwood, red cedar (arbor- escent vai'iety) and white oak. They are to a great extent replaced by other species before the region of open plains is reached. Had the j^^pj^^^.^^ j^y great forests originally extended further west, and been destroyed t)y^^|^?fg'^ fire or other causes, in comparatively recent times, we should have found the northern limits of these species continuing their general course to the prairie region, and ending abruptly there, instead of Avhich they all cm-ve gradually round, in a more or less concentj'ic fashion, and other trees occupy the intervening ground. These well- marked features of forest distribution show that the present divisions of prairie and woodland are of very ancient date. The evidence of the smaller plants, and also of certain superficial geological conditions, all point to the same conclusion. The state of Minnesota is situated in a very interesting region in regard to forest distribution. Here we find the northern limit of the j-jj^^g^ grouj) to which the most southern trees of Ontario belong, such as the Minnesota" '° black walnut, shell-bark hickory, hackberry and Kentucky coffee tree ; the north-westei-n limit of the commoner trees of the northern states and of Quebec and Ontai-io, such as the white oak, red cedar (abor- escent variety), ii-onwood, beech, hemlock, white ash, rock elm, red oak, yellow and black birch, sugar maple, red maple, wild plum, &c. ; the western boundaj-ies of some of the trees whose northern limits pass through northern Ontario, such as the white cedar, black ash, white pine and red pine ; the southei-n limits of the most northern group, including the white spruce, the larch, Banksian pine, balsam fii-, balsam poplar and canoe birch ; and the general eastern limits of some of the western species, such as the ash-leaved maple, green ash, bur oak and Cottonwood. It will be observed that in the Labrador peninsula the tree-lines Trend of tree- trend northward mid-way between the eastern and western shores. Labrador- This is due partly to the unfavorable influence of the sea on either side, and partly to the beneficial effect of the central depressions in which the rivers run northward into Ungava Bay. Fi-om Mingan to Lake Superior, the height of land, noi-th of the St. Lawrence, is rudely Height of land parallel to the general course of the lines marking the noi-thcrn boun- lines'.'^''"*'*'' dai-ies of the trees, and it may have had some effect in limiting the northward range of a number of species. A south wai-d curve in the watershed about the longitude of Ottawa is marked by a corresponding curve in the tree-lines, Again, where a great depression occurs in this Effect of dividing plateau, some of the trees, which in such places may (jc '^®'""*^^'°"'^' approaching their northern boundaries, ai-e found to extend, in the lower levels, beyond their general outline on cither side. As examples Lake St- John. 8 of this, the Lake Temiscaming and Abittibi district, and the valley of the Kenogami, or pi-incipal south branch of the Albany, may be men- Moose mvev. tioned. On the Missinaibi, or west branch of the Moose Eiver, the white elm reappears 130 miles north of its general boundary on descending to a sufficiently low elevation above the sea. The Sague- nay, for about 100 miles from the St. Lawrence, is really a narrow arm of the sea, and the country in the vicinity of Lake St. John, at the head of the river, is only slightly elevated above its level, and has a fertile soil, although surrounded by a mountainous region. Here we find an isolated colony of bass-wood, sugar maple, and other trees, considerably removed from the rest of their species. On the north side of Lake Huron and to the north of the city of Quebec, the land rises somewhat rapidly, and in both instances the tree-lines near these latitudes are more closely crowded together than elsewhere, northern limits. Some kinds of trccs, in approaching their northern limits, show a tendency to diminish gradually in size, and to become more and more scattered, rendering it difficult to draw any definite boundary of the species, while others vanish abruptly. The latter habit is more charac- teristic of southern than northern species, as far as the Dominion is concerned. The various species appear to die out more gradually as they range northward in the western than in the eastern regions. Four groups. Poorest ti-ees cast of the Eocky Mountains may be divided into four groups, as regards their geographical distribution within the Dominion : (1) A northern group, including the white and black spruces, larch, Banksian pine, balsam fir, aspen, balsam poplar, canoe birch, willows and alder. These cover the vast territory down to about the line of the white pine. (2) A central group of about forty species, occupying the belt of country from the white pine line to that of the button- wood ; (3) a southern group, embracing the button-wood, black walnut, the hickories, chestnut, tulip-tree, prickly ash, som'-gum, sassafras and flowering dog-wood, which are found only in a small area in the south- ern part of Ontai'io ; (4) A western group, consisting of the ash-leaved maple, bur oak, cotton-wood and green ash, which are scattered sparing- ly over the prairie and wooded regions west of Eed Eiver and Lake Winnipeg. Richness in In the western peninsula of Ontario the forests present a remarkable richness in the number of species to be found growing together. In some localities as many as fifty different kinds may be counted on a single farm lot. A more varied mixture is probably not to bexnet with in any other part of the continent, or perhaps in the world. In tracing the tree-lines across the continent in the comprehensive manner shown on the map, it will be found that most of them afford interesting peculiarities for study. A few facts will now be given in Species • regard to the geographical distribution of the thirty species whose Thirty species northern limits, within the Dominion, are shown upon the maj). They th^"orde^r will be noticed in the order of their occui-rence from north to south, and south "'^'^ the lines traced from east to west. The common names used are those by which they are known in Canada. 1. White Spruce, Single Spruce, Sea Spruce — Pine of the Hud- white spruce, son's Bay Company's people, — (Alhies alba, Michx.) — This and the next are the most northern trees of ISTorth America. Abundant and of good size in Newfoundland and the Maritime Provinces, where it is sawn into Provinces. deals. The Indians of these provinces call it "sea spruce" to distinguish it from the next. Captain Kennedy informs me that south of the limit shown on the majD it is common in valleys and sheltered places through- Labrador- out the Labrador peninsula. It nowhere reaches the Atlantic coast, receding further and further in going north. On the south side of Ungava Bay it is found at the mouths of Whale, George's and TJngava Rivers, large enough for building boats, but the trunks are short and apt to be knotty. In going up the east coast of Hudson's Bay it vanishes Hudson's Bay. about latitude 51°, or a few miles above Richmond Gulf, but it is said to extend further north at a distance inland. On the west coast of the bay it extends to Seal River, in latitude 59°, from which the northward limit runs apparently almost directly north-west to near the mouth of Mackenzie the Mackenzie Rivei-, or about latitude 68°. According to both Hearne and Sir John Richardson, it is found on the Coppermine River to within twenty or thirty miles of the sea. Around James' Bay, and between this bay and Lakes Huron, Superior and Winnipeg, it attains a good size for lumber, and even on the Hayes and Nelson Rivers I have seen good, sound logs cut upwards of two feet in diameter, and showing from 100 to 140 lines of growth. Common throughout Quebec and Northern Ontario, but rare in the southern parts of the latter province. In the. prairie country I have not seen it further south-west than Pine Creek, about 100 miles west of Winnipeg. la. Black Spruce, Double Spruce (Abies nigra, Poir.) — Professor Black spruce. Gray regards the white and black spruce as probably only varieties of one species, and there certainly appears to be every gradation between the two. The white spruce grows on rich intervale grounds, or near the Differences, shores of lakes and rivers ; it becomes a modei-ately large tree, while the black spruce is found on hills and in cold swamps, and is a smaller tree than the other. The bark of the white spruce, when young, is smooth and grey, while that of the black spruce is brownish, and is always covered with small, loose scales, even when the trees are young. The two kinds have the same geographical range northward. 2. American Larch, Tamarac, Red Spruce, Juniper (ianx ^mm- American cana, Michx.) — All the way from Newfoundland to near the mouth of ' ' ' 10 the Mackenzie Eiver, the northern limit of this tree is only a little to the southward of that of the spruce. It is found along with this tree on the shores of Ungava Bay. In Newfoundland, New Brunswick and the Gasp^ peninsula it attains a good size, and is a valuable timber-tree on all the northern branches of the St. Lawrence and throughout the ^orted ^^ Ottawa valley, from which large quantities have been exported for ship-building, &c. It has an equall}^ thrifty growth in the country to the south of James' Bay, and westward towards Lake Winnipeg. In this great region it attains its greatest perfection on the dry uplands and in good soil near the rivers, but smaller trees, with small black spruces, grow everjns^here on the level or swampy grounds. South of the Ottawa it grows principally on low and level land. Balsam poplar. 3 BaLSAM PoPLAR, BaLM OF GiLEAD, EouGH-BaRKED PoPLAR, Cotton Tree, White-Wood, &c., (Populvs balsamifera, L.) — Abundant every^'here around the Gulf of St. Lawrence and throughout a great part of the Labrador peninsula. Luxuriant, but not of large size, along Hudson's Bay. all the rivers of James' Bay and of the south-west side of Hudson's Bay, disappearing about Fort Churchill, from which its northern limit runs to about latitude 65° on the Mackenzie. On the east side of the bay small trees were seen as far north as Eichmond Gulf It is a very Mackenzie common tree, and of large size in the valley of the Mackenzie, espe- cially on the Eivi^re aux Liards. It attains a considerable size around Lakes Huron and Superior, where the thick bark of old trees is used by the fishermen as a subsitute for cork in making net-floats. Aspen. 4. Aspen, Common Poplar, Trembling-Leaved Poplar (Popuhis tremuloides, Michx.) A rather moi-e southern tree than the last; very common throughout the whole region from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to near the mouth of the Mackenzie Eiver. It extends Labrador. Over the southern half of the Labrador peninsula, and around James' Bay. On the south-west side of Hudson's Bay it keeps some distance back from the coast. It is the commonest tree in North-West ^he prairie and half-wooded parts of the North-West territories. territories. Throughout the Hudson's Bay Territory it is the principal fuel used by Indians and for open tires at the Company's posts, as it does not throw out sparks like the spruce and larch. In the Eastern Townships and elsewhere it is used lor the manufacture of paper. Although the most Most widely widely dilfused tree of North America, it is relatively most abundant in NcTnif America the west, where it ranges from the Arctic regions to California, Professor Sargent remai-ks that it has "not yet been seen on the high peaks of the southern Alleghany Mountains, to which it might naturally extend." Canoe birch. 5. Canoe Birch, Wiiite Birch (Betuki Papyracea, Ait.) — A very common tree alonii; the northern tributaries of the St. Lawrence, and 11 ranging as far north in the Labrador peninsula as Lake Naskopie, and Labrador, to within 250 miles, or perhaps less, of Ungava Baj', on the river of the same name. It attains its greatest perfection around the Gulf of St. Greatest -r 1-1^ ^n -I ■ 1 n i.i • perfection . Lawrence and m the Ottawa vailej, and is also lound oi large size near Lakes Huron and Superior. In Labrador, on both sides of James' Bay and north-westward to the Mackenzie Eiver, it affords sufficiently large sheets of bark for canoe-building. From James' Bay to the Mackenzie, Canoe building. which it strikes beyond the Arctic Circle, its northward boundaiy keeps near that of the aspen, being sometimes on one side of it and some- times on the other. In the most southern parts of Ontario it is rare, of small size, and found only in swamps. In the Ked River region it ranges as far south as the United States' boundary, and is found along the Assiniboine valley as far west as the Qu'Appelle lakes. 6. Banksian Pine, Scrub Pine, Jack Pine, Cypress (Pinus Baiiksiana, Banksian pine. Lamk.) — This tree has not been noticed in Newfoundland, on the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, nor in the interior of Labrador be- yond Lake Mistassini, although it may possibly have a somewhat more northern range in this peninsula than represented on the map It occurs throughout Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Starting from the head of the Bay of Chaleur, its northward limit appears to o'oss the Northern limit, other tree lines to the lake just named, from which it runs west to the Moose River, keeping about 100 miles south of James' Bay. From Moose River it runs north-west to the Mackenzie, which it crosses about the Ai-ctic Circle. It does not touch either James' or Hudson's Bay, Southward it is common on the north shore of Lake Huron and around l>oth shores of Lake Superior, whence it is met with all through the country to Lake Winnipeg. The area over which it is distributed Area of di.stri- appears to be in the form of a belt, with a breadth equal to five or six degrees of latitude, running across the continent. Although a small and scrubby tree in the southern and eastei'ii j)arts of its range, in the central part (both as regards latitude and longitude) it attains much greater perfection. On the southern branches of the Albany I have seen large gi-oves of these trees about seventy feet in height, and two feet in diameter at the butt, with straight trunks nearly free from branches for the first twenty or thirty feet. 7. Balsam Fir, Fir, Var, Silver Pine, Blister Pine — "Palm" in B^i^amfir. Cape Breton — (Abies balsamea, Marshall.) — The Maritime Provinces, Newfoundland and the southern half of the Labradoi- peninsula, its northei-n limits in this region being on Naskopie Lake and the Ungava River. It flouiishes best in the Gaspe peninsula, where I have seen Gasp^. many trees from twenty inches to two feet in diameter, with trunks tail enough to afford one good sawlog — about fifteen feet. It occurs around James' Bay, but its northern limit keeps to the south-west of 12 Nelson River. Ontario- White cedar. Cedar absent. James' Bay- Lake Winnipeg Outlier. Labrador. Supposed cause. Hudaon's Bay, where it passes between Fort Severn and Trout Lake, and reaches the neighbom*hood of the junction of the Shamniattawa and Steel Eivers, which form the Hayes' Eiver. From this point it turns south-west, and crosses the Nelson Eiver at the outlet of Sipi- wesk Lake, from which it runs north-west to the Mackenzie Eiver, crossing it about latitude 65°. South-west of Hudson's Bay it grows only in the warmest and best soils, and is entirely wanting in the cold, swampy tracts. In Ontario, where it is cultivated as an ornamental tree, 1 have not observed it growing naturally south of the latitude of Toronto. In the ISTorth-West territories it appears to be absent to the south and west of Lake Winnipegosis. 8. White Cedar, Cedar, Arbor Vit^ {Thuya occidentalism L.) — The geographical distribution of this species presents some very interesting featm-es. In the Gulf of St. Lawrence region its boundary runs south- east from Anticosti to the Bay of Fundy, directly acros sail the inter- vening tree-lines. It is absent from Newfoundland, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, and the eastern half of Prince Edward Island, but is unusually large and tine in New Brunswick and the Gaspd peninsula, in which the climate, soil, &c., are the same as in the adjacent regions, where not a trace of the species is to be found. From Anticosti the limit runs south-westward to a point about 200 miles north of Montreal. Thence it tui-ns north-west and reaches Eupert's House, on James' Bay. From the neighbourhood of Moose Factory the line crosses the Albany Eiver at some distance from the sea, and continues westward to a point about seventy-five miles south-west of Trout Lake, where it turns south-west and reaches the southern extremity of Lake Winnipeg ; thence it turns southward to the United States boundary, keeping to the east of the Eed Eiver all the way. There is a remarkable outlier of white cedar brushwood around Cedar Lake, on the lower part of the Saskatchewan Eiver, at a distance of 190 miles to the north-west of the nearest point of the main area covered by the species, and a few cedar trees are said to occur on Lake Winnipeg, not far from the mouth of the Saskatche- wan. Captain Kennedy informs me that he believes the white cedar occurs in Labrador west of the head of Hamilton Inlet. If so, this outlier would occupy a position with regard to the north-east promon- tory of the cedar-line which would correspond to that of the Cedar Lake one to its noi-th-western promontory. We might account for the singular fact that the white cedar has not yet extended itself eastward into Newfoundland and Nova Scotia by supposing that, in compara- tively late geological times, when the land was lower or the sea higher, the Arctic current, which now flows through the Straits of Belleisle into the Gulf, passed on over the isthmus separating Nova Scotia fi'om Now Brunswick, and flowed through the Bay of Fundy. This 13 steady curront of Arctic water, which would itself cany no seeds ol trees, might prevent those of the cedar from crossing to the islands beyond it. But on this hypothesis it would be difficult to understand Difficulty, why the white pine, yellow birch and other trees, which are even more southern in their general habit than the species in question, should be found in these provinces. 9. Black Ash, Swamp Ash (Fraxiims sambucifuUa, Jjum.) — Tn Anti- Black ash. costi and southern Newfoundland. From the neighbom-hood of Seven Islands the northei-n limit runs west (curving slightly to the southward) to Lake Winnipeg. It is common, but of small size, along the difterent branches of the Moose Eiver, especially towards the height of land. Moose River. St. Peter's portage, on the Missinaibi branch is the most northern point at which I have seen it in this region. I have found small trees around the southern part of Lake Winnipeg, but have never noticed it further west. 10. White Elm, Swamp Elm, Grey Elm, American Elm (C//m/s white elm. Americana, Willd.) — With the exception of the northern grouj), this species has the widest range of any tree in Canada. It extends from the southern part of Newfoundland to the base of the Eocky Mountains. It occurs at the head waters of all the principal branches of the Moose Eiver, and on one of them, the Missinaibi, I found an outlier within 120 Q^tij^j. miles of James' Bay. On the Kenogami it extends to a point about half-way from Long Lake to the Albany. The northern limit intersects Most northerly the east shore of Lake Winnipeg, and gains its highest latitude (about ''^"^^" 54^°) on the main Saskatchewan, where Mr. A. S. Cochrane last sum- mer obsei-ved some good-sized trees not far from Cumberland House. Professor Macoun says he has " found it on Tail Ci-eek, which dischai-ges Buffalo Lake into Eed Deer Eiver, a branch of Bow Eiver." In the bow River, plain country, near the United States boundary line, the writer met in the plain with fair-sized trees in valleys in the Wood Mountains, and in different ''"""^'"^' valleys to the northward of them. The trees in such situations are not visible from the table-lands until the brink of the valley is reached, and are locally known as " sly-woods." It grows to a large size along the Eed and Assiniboine Elvers. 11. Ash-Leaved Maple, Box Elder, Eed Eiver ML\ple {Negundo Ai^h-Uavcd aceroides, Moench.) — Does not appear to have been found native in Quebec "*'^'^ ^' or Ontario, although occurring in the eastern states. Young trees raised at Montreal from seeds brought from Manitoba are growing very Montreal. rapidl}^, and bearing seeds in the eighth year from sowing. In the North-West, Professor Winchell gives it as reaching the western extremity of Lake Superior. It is abundant in the Eed Eiver valley, L.,iic superior. and extends north to the Dog's Head on Lake Winnipeg, beyond which the writer has not found it iri that direction, It occurs along the main 14 Saskatchewan and the south branch. The most westerly locality Buffalo Lake, known is Tail Creek, which discharges Buffalo Lake, where it was found by Professor Macoun, along with the white elm. It is difficult to draw the geographical boundaiy of any tree in the prairie country, where timber of all kinds is so scarce, and therefoie the lines on the map in this region are subject to correction. Green ash. 12. Green Ash, WESTERN AsH (F/'oxinus viriclis, Michx.) — Com- mon along the Red River in Manitoba, and extends north-westward as Saskatchewan. ^^^' '^^ ^^^ Saskatchewan, in the neighboi'hood of Cumberland House. ]\Ii\ A. S. Cochrane writes that he found it abundant, but of small size, at the Birch portage, in this vicinity, I have met with it at the elbow of the South Saskatchewan, and Professor Macoun says he has not seen it west of the Cypress Hills, but that it extends east as iiir as Owen Sound, on the Georgian Bay. It occurs on the Lake of the Woods and along the Rainy Rivei-. 13. Bur Oak {Quercus macrocarpa, Michx.) — The limit of this sijecies in Canada extends from the international boundaiy on Lake Superior north-westward to the north end of Lake Winnipegosis, from which it dro23S south to the Dakota line, in the vicinity of the Soui-is Rivei-. Professor Winchell writes that it is scattered all over the state of Minnesota. It attains a good size on the Rainy River and in the district between Lake of the Woods and Winnipeg River and the Red Rivei' ; also along the Red and Assiniboine Rivers. On the English River it was iirst observed about half-way fj-om Lonely Lake to the Winnipeg River. It extends northward on Lake Winnijjcg as a tree to the Loon Straits, and as a bush to Beren's River. Small trees occur along the Swan River and north branch of the Assiniboine. Professor Macoun has not noticed it west of Spy Hill, near the Qu'Appelle River. 14. White Pine — " Yellow Pine" of the British markets — (Pinus strobus, L.) — This and the next species have so nearly the same limit throughout the greater part of their northward range, that they arc represented on the map both by one line. The red jjine, however, does not extend so far east as the white, so that in this direction the line represents only the boundary of the latter. Contrary to popular Area of pine, belief, the white pine is contined to a comjjaratively small part of the Dominion, as will be observed by an inspection of the map. Its north- ern limit in Canada extends east as far as Mingan, while to the west it does not reach Lake Winnipeg, or Red River. It i-eaches its lowest latitude opposite to Ottawa City, about 48f°, and its highest, about 52°, in the Lonely Lake region. It occurs in favorable situatiojis through- NewfounJiand. out the greater part of Newfoundland, but it is of best quality and most abundant along the Gander and Exploit Rivers on the north, and the Ilumber on the west side of the island. On the last named stream, Owen Sound. Bur oak. Dakota. Winniiieg River. N. and W. limits. White pine. Lowest and highest lati tudes. 15 I have cut into the ceittres of several good-sized trees, and found the wood of excellent quality. In the country immediately north of Lake St. John, the Messrs. Price have cut large quantities of tine white pine Lake St. John. timber for export. When coming from Lake Mistassini to Ottawa, by way of the Gatineau Elver, Mr. Kichardson, of the Geological Survey, ^f^g"®''^^ first met this species at 230 miles north of that cit}'. It occurs of fair size on the head waters of all the principal branches of the Moose Moose River. Eivei', and in former times is said to have extended considerably further north along these streams ; but having been entirely destroyed by extensive forest fires, it has been replaced by other trees. Owing to these fires it is now very scarce in most of the i-egion north of Lake Superior, but small groves of it have been observed as far north as Lake Superior. i*epresented. It is scattered over the country between Lake Superior and the Winnipeg River and around Lonely Lake, but it is of rather small size. In aijproaching Lake Winnipeg the limiting line of this . ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ . . Winnipeg tree curves south-westward, and crosses the Winnipeg Eivei- about River. fifteen miles above Fort Alexander, and then runs south to the United States boundary at some distance east of Red River. ~ ^ 15. Red Pine, Norway Pine (Finns resinosa, Ait.) — As above stated, i^ed pine, the northward range of this species and tlie white pine cori'espond so nearly, except towards the east, that for the present their limit is repre- sented by a single line. It is not so common a tree in Canada as the white j^ine, and is usually found in rather small groves, although in the Ottawa valley they are sometimes pretty extensive. The white pine, on the other hand, may be found mixed with all other kinds of trees. It begins to disappear fi-om the northern parts of the region of the range. white pine east of the longitude of Quebec, and is absent from Anticosti and Newfoundland. I have observed it in the Province of Quebec on the upper part of the Patapedia River, in the Gaspe peninsula, and Mr. Ells informs me that it is found on the Tobique River and on the New Brunswick and Canada railway fifty miles from St. Andrew's. 16. Yellow ^irch (Betula excelsa, Ait.) — The 49th pai-allel forms Yellow bircii. the average northern limit of this species from Newfoundland to the Red River valley, in which it curves round and runs southward. It grows to a good size in Newfoundland and the Maritime Provinces, Newfoundland. where it is used in ship-building. Some of the trees whose noi'thern boundaries are near that of the yellow birch in the east, gain much higher latitudes in the west. It ranges north of the height of land at Lake Abittibi, but is not fijund on the north shore of Lake Supei-ior Lake Superior. from Michipicoten to the United States boundaiy, and onl}- small trees are found on the Canadian side of tlie line from this j)oiiit to the Rainy Rivei-. 16 Sugar maple. Gasp6. Lake Superior. Lake of the Woods- Red oak. Hemlock. Maritime Provinces. Lake Superior, Baf-Kwood. 17. Sugar ]\Iaple, Hard Maple, Eock ^Lvple (Acer saccharinum, Wang.) — This tree, which was adopted as emblematic of Canada, is confined to the south-eastern borders of the Dominion. It is rathei* more southern in its tendency than the yellow birch. Some small trees have been noted at the head of Bay St. George, Newfoundland. It is found in sheltered places on the north side of the Gaspe peninsula, and is common in its southern parts, thrives well on the fertile lime- stone land of Lake St. John, and reaches Lake Temiscamang on the Ottawa ; is abundant, but of a dwarfed description, on Michipicoten Island and the hills on the east side of Lake Superior. Going north in this region, the last trees were seen south of the Long portage, on the Michipicoten Eiver. It is absent from the northern parts of the shores of Lake Superior and northward. On the west side of the lake it re-appears on the south side of the lower part of the valley of the Kaministiquia Eiver, and thence the limit keeps westward, a little to the north of the boundary line, as far as Lake of the AVoods, where it turns south. Sir John Eichardson mentions this tree as occurring in the Saskatchewan region, but this is probabl}- an error. 18. Eed Oak {Quercus rubra, L.) — Nova Scotia, New Brunswick south of the Bay of Chaleur, Province of Quebec south of the city of the same name, and in Ontario to latitude 46°. On the north side of Lake Hui-on it is found for only a short distance inland. South shore of Lake Superior and at the eastern and western extremities. It has been said by one writer to occur on Michipicoten Island, but others familiar Avith the island have not observed it. 19. Hemlock, Hemlock-Spruce {Abies Canadensis, Michx.) — East- ward the northern limit of this species is at the Bay of Chalem-, but it is scarce near the eastern sea coast of New Brunswick. Very abundant in the northern part of Nova Scotia. It crosses the St. LaAvrence a short distance below Quebec, extending further do-\\Ti on the north than on the south side. Thence it reaches the north end of Lake Temiscaming and the eastern extremity of Lake Superior at Agawa, south of the Michipicoten Eiver. On the south shore of Lake Superior it does not reach the western extremity, turning southward in the neighborhood of Ashland. I am informed, however, that there is an outlpng grove of hemlock at Thompson, about twenty-five miles west of Duluth. This tree maintains a good size to the verge of its range, and always appears to terminate abruptly. Sir John Eichardson states that it grows on the Kaministiquia Eiver. This, however, appears to be an error. I have never seen it or heard of its occurrence near this localit)\ 20. Basswood, Linden, White Wood (Tilia Americana, L.)— Com- mon in Nova Scotia fvnd New Brviuswick, except the northern p?irt, not It having been noticed beyond the southern branches of the Reatigouche. q^i^ ^f g^ The northern limit seems to reach the Gulf south of Miscou, from which Laurence. it runs west to near Quebec, and thence in a pretty direct course to the eastern shore of Lake Superior. It is wanting around the northern parts of this lake, but re-appears just south of Thundei- Bay, from which it neai-ly follows the international boundai-v to Lake of the Woods. Here it bends north-west, and almost gains the southern extremity of Lake Winnipeg, the last trees seen in that direction being at East Selkirk, on the Eed Elver, where they are very small. Westward it is Red River. found along the Assiniboine to a short distance above Fort EUice. 21. Beech (Fagus ferruginea, Ait.) — Thj'oughout Nova Scotia and in Beech. New Bi-unswick to the Bay of Chaleur, except on the coast of the Bay of Pundy. The northern boundary ci-osses the St. Lawrence a short Bay of Fundy. distance below Quebec, and thence runs west to Lake Nipissing and the outlet of Lake Superior. On the south shore of this lake it occui-s Lake Superior. as far west as Grand Island, but it seems to disappear from the imme- diate neighborhood of the lake before reaching L'Anse. Sir John Eichardson says this tree occurs on Eed Eiver of Lake Winnipeg. If 80, it must be south of the Canadian line. 22. White Ash (Fraxinus Americana, Jj.) — Found throughout Nova ^nrfjjte ^gjj Scotia and in New Brunswick, except the northern piart ; also in the southern parts of Quebec and Ontario, its northward range correspond- ing nearly with that of the beech. It occurs along the southern, but not on the northern side of Lake Superior. 23. Iron- WOOD, Hop Hornbeam — Lever-wood of the Eastern ToAvn- _ ' Ironwood. ships (Ostrya Virginica, Willd.) — Nova Scotia and the greater part of New Brunswick, the northern limit being on the Bay of Chaleur, from which it runs to near the city of Quebec, and reaches Lake Huron at the mouth of the Fi-ench Eiver. It has been seen on the Manitoulin Islands, but not to the north of Lake Huron. Sir John Eichardson men- tions it as occurring on the Winnipeg and Eed Elvers, and I have noticed it on Lake of the Woods and the lower part of the Assiniboine Eiver. 24. Blue Beech, American Hornbeam (Carpinus Americana, Michx.) ^^^^ ^^^^ , — This small tree does not range quite so far north as the last. It has not been noticed on the north side of Lake Hui'on, nor anywhere around Lake Superior. 25. White Oak (Quercus alba, L.) — In the southern parts of Nova„„. ^ '■ VVhite oak. Scotia and rsew Brunswick, in both of which it is rare. More common in the .southern districts of Quebec and Ontario. A very valuable timber tree in the Ottawa valley, below the Mattawa, and throughout south-western Ontario, from both of which regions large quantities have hitherto been exported to foreign markets. 18 Red cedar. Former abun- dance near Kingston. Prostrate variety. Butternut. Bitter hickory Black walnut. Chestnut. 26. Eed Cedar (Juniperus Virginiana, L.) — The arborescent form of this species is found in none of the provinces except Ontario. Its northern limit begins on the Atlantic coast about the eastern part of the state of Maine, and runs west near the parallel f)f latitude 45°, crossing the St. Lawrence about mid-way between Montreal and Lake Ontario, and reaching Lake Huron at Pany Sound, In the early days of the settlement of Upper Canada large quantities of this wood were cut in the neighborhood of Kingston and the Bay of Quinte, and shipped out of the country. The prostrate variety (J", humilis, Hook.), is found in all the provinces, and is common in sandy and gi-avelly soil in the North-west prairie country. It also occurs in dry and rocky places along rivers and lakes in the wooded regions of the Hudson's Bay terri- tories, as fiar north as the mouth of the Nelson Eiver. 27. Butternut (Juglans cinerea, L.) — Said to be found in Nova Scotia on the east side of the Bay of Fundy. Occurs in the southern countie.-i of New Brunswick, especially King's, and along the St. John Eiver above Woodstock ; absent from the coast and northern part of this province ; in the St. Lawrence valley, nearly as far down as the city of Quebec, and along the Ottawa up to the Madawaska, from which the northern boundary runs to the Greorgian Bay. Large trees are found in a few j)laces in the county of Gi"ey, not far from this Bay, 28. Bitter Hickory {Carya amara, Nutt.) — Eanges over a much larger area in Canada than the shell-bark hickory, being found around Montreal, in the Eastern Townships and along the lower part of the Ottawa valle}", and thence westward throughout the southern part of Ontario to Lake Huron. 29. Black Walnut {Juglans nigra, L.) — This tree is confined to the tract lying south of a line drawn from the head of Lake Ontario to near the outlet of Lake Huron. 30. Chestnut (Castanea vulgaris, Lam., var, Americana, A. DC.) — In the district along the north side of Lake Erie, and north-eastward to the north shore of the head of Lake Ontario, The Geographical Distribution of Trees Occurring in Canada BUT NOT EePRESENTED UPON THE ACCOMPANYING MaP, 1. Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera, L. — At Niagara Falls and in some localities westward near Lake Erie. 2. Silver Maple, AVhite Maple (Acer dasycarpum, Ehrh,) — Eastern Townships and province of Ontario south of latitude 45°, Grenerally confounded with the red or soft maple. 3. Striped Maple {Acer Pennsylvanicum, L.) — This small tree, although everywhere scarce, hasTnuch the same range in Canada as the 19 sugar maple, being found from G-aspe to the outlet of Lake Superior ; also with the sugar maple at Lake St. John. 4. Mountain M^vple {Acer npicatum, Lam.) — The most northern species of maple. Eanges from Newfoundland to James' Bay, and north-westward to Island Lake on the waters which reach the sea at York Factory. The last locality at which it was seen in this direction is George's Island, in Lake Winnipeg. 5. Black ]VL\ple (var. Acer nigrum, Michx.) — Identified by the late Dr. John Bell as occurring at Grenville, on the Ottawa. 6. Soft jVL\ple, Red Maple (Acer rubrum, L. — A common tree throughout the Maritime Provinces, and in Quebec and Ontario south of latitude 49°; has a slightly more northern i-ange than the sugar maple. *7. Kentttcky Coffee Tree (Gyynnocladus Canadensis, Lam.) — Said to occur in southern Ontario. Professor Winchell informs me that it is found in the southern part of Minnesota. 8. Wild Plum (Primus Americana, Marshall.) — The northern limit runs from near the city of Quebec to the eastei-n extremity of Lake Superior. It occurs on the Rainy and the Eed Eiver and the loAver part of the Assiniboine, and at the south end of Lake Manitoba. 9. Pigeon Cherry, Small Red Cherry (Prunus Pennsylvanica, L.) — Very widel}^ diffused ; has a high northern range, small examples extending in most regions nearly to the verge of the timber. 10. Black Cherry (Prunus serotina, Ehrh.) — Formerly a valuable timber tree in the lower Ottawa region and south-western Ontario; very fine in the county of Bruce ; now nearly^^exhausted. 11. Mountain Ash, Rowan (Pyrus Americana, De C.) — Abundant and of good size in all the Maritime Provinces, Anticosti and Gasp^ ; thence it extends westward, the northern limit touching James' Bay. Fm-ther west it is found of small size as far west as Island Lake, on the Shamattawa, and to White Mud Falls, on the Nelson River, seventy or eighty miles below Lake Winnipeg. This tree, which is of a northern habit, probably attains its greatest perfection aroumi the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Lakes Huron and Superior. 12. Scarlet- Fruited Thorn (Crataegus coccinea, L.) — Common in the southern and central latitudes of Quebec and Ontario, but its northern limits have not been accurately ascertained. Between Lake Superior and Manitoba thorn bushes grow as far north as the international boundary, but not much beyond it. Thorn bushes, apparently belong- ing to this species, were found by Mi-. Cochj-ane on the Grassberry River, twenty or thirty miles north-west of Pine Island Lake. 13. Cockspur Tiiokn (Crakegus crus-galli, L.) — Ontario, except the more northern parts. In Manitoba a thorn which appears to be iden- tical with this species is abundant. 20 14. Black Thorn (Crateegus tomentosa, L.) — In the southern parts of Quebec and Ontario. 15. Flowering Dog-wood {Cornus florida, L.) — In southern Ontario only. Most common apparently at Niagara Falls, and westward to the valley between Dundas and Ancaster, but rarer on the higher grounds. 16. SouR-GUM (Nyssa widtiflora, Wang.) — Dr. Hurlbert informs me that this tree grows in some parts of southern Ontario, liut I have not observed it myself. 17. Sassafras (Sassafras officinale, Nees.) — From the Niagara Eiver to Ancaster, near the head of Lake Ontario, and probably other parts of southern Ontario. 18. Slippery Elm (UlnmsfulvajWichx.) — Southern parts of Quebec. Along the Ottawa Eiver for 200 miles, above Montreal ; small and rather scarce. In Ontario as far north as Georgian Bay. 19. EocK Elm (Ulmusracemosa, Thomas.) — Eastern Townships, Lower Ottawa valley and province of Ontario south of latitude 46°. Formerly common, but most of the finest trees in all these regions have been cut for export. 20. BuTTONwooD, American Plane-tree (Platanus occidentalis, L.) — Around the head of Lake Ontario and in the western peninsula, espe- cially along rivers such as the Grand, Thames and Saugeen. 21. Shell-bark Hickory (Carya alba, Nutt.) — In the southern part of Ontario ; rather ccmimon in some localities. The brown hickory (C. porcina) and the Avhite-heart hickory (0. tomentosa) are also believed to occur in the same region. 22. Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor, Willd.) — The Avhite oak of the low lands in the Ottawa valley and southern Ontario appears to belong to this species. Near Dundas I have also seen what I took to be the black oak (Q. tinctoria, Bartram.) 23. White Birch (Betula alba, L.) — This species, which is often mistaken for the canoe birch, occurs in the Maritime Provinces, and in Quebec as far west as Montreal, and probably further. 24. BLA(n< Birch (Betula lenta, L.) — Often confounded with the yellow birch. Occurs in both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Iden- tified in Gasp^ and other places in the Province of Quebec, and in Ontario as far west as the Manitonlin Ishtuds. 25. Black Alder (Alniis incana, Willd.) — Abundant along streams everywhere from Newfoundland to the Saskatchewan, and as far north as the forests extend, but not in the southern parts of Ontario. In the Hudson's Bay ti^rritoj-ics it is often called ' black Avillow." The green alder (A. viridis) has also been noticed, although not so common as the black, from Newfoundland to Lake Winnipeg, and northward to the verge of the forests around Hudson's Bay. 21 26. Willows. — The willows have not been identified with suflScient specific accuracy in the various regions in which the aborescent forms occur to map the geographical range of the different species. 27. Large-toothed Poplar (Populus grandidentata, Michx.) — Of a southern habit compared with the aspen. Its northward range is somewhere between that of the sugar maple and the white pine. Abundant in New Brunswick and Gasp^. It does not extend west as far as Manitoba. 28. CoTTON-wooD (Populus moniUfera, Ait.) — Large trees occm- along the Assiniboine Eiver. 29. Finns contorta (Dougl.) — Western part of the North-west Terri- tories. 30. Pitch Pine (P. rigida, Mill.) — In some places in the Ottawa valley, and at the Thousand Islands on the St. Lawrence. 31. Engeljlinn's Spruce (Abies Engelmanni, Paiuy.) — This tree, which is known to extend as far east as the Black Hills of Dakota, is said to occui' also on the upper waters of the South Saskatchewan. Binder Gaylord Bros. Mak Syracuse PAT. JAN i>aLe t^ue \^ >* A I* TREES FORES' ,K<'.A>'''^"'' Binder Gaylord Bros. Mak' Syracus^ PAT. JAM iJUlc iJUii -^ CSZ-i ^9 .<^^:^i AGRICULTURE ' FORESTRY LIBRARY' FDRESTRY AGRICULTURE LIBRARY