FOREST TREES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1068, 18 May 1872, Page 6

FOREST TREES.

We have been furnished by Mr M'Gruer, with the following description of the different varieties of Coniferae that are being cultivated by him at the Botanic Gardens : —

ABIES — (THE SPRUCE FIR).

These trees are remarkable for their tall, erect, pyramidal forms, the profusion of their small foliage, and the drooping growth of their seed cones. Some are valuable on account of their timber ; all are more or less ornamental, and they will thrive on poor soil, and in the bleakest situations.

ABIES ALBA (THE WHITE SPRUCE).

This is a handsome tree of a glaucous whitish tint, with horizontal branches, and light'coloured bark. The foliage forms a fine pyramid. It grows on any soil, but prefers a shady situation. This tree grows fast, and is so hardy that it was found by Dr Richardson growing within 20 miles of the Arctic Sea. It is a native of North America, where it attains a height of 50 feet, with a trunk diameter of 18 inches.

'ABIES DOUGLASII — (DOUGLAS SPRUCE).

A graceful and fast growing fir, with tall straight stem and numerous long and rather pendulous branches covered with vivid green foliage. The tree is conical in shape, and of great beauty, and is well suited for a single specimen or for shrubberies. It grows in forests in California to a height of 300 feet, with bark a foot thick, and a trunk diameter of 10 feet. The timber is close, heavy, and of the colour of the yew, free from knots, and not subject to warp.

ABIES EXCELSA — (THE NORWAY SPRUCE).

This tree grows throughout Europe, and even in Siberia, in any soil or situation. It sometimes attains the height of 100 feet, with a trunk of 4 or 5 feet in diameter. It is one of the best firs for shelter, and is well suited to stand singly as an ornamental tree.

ABIES MENZIESII (THE MENZIES SPRUCE).

A densely-branched tree from California, where it grows from 50 to 70 feet I high. This is a most beautiful silverylooking fir, when grown upon cool and rather heavy soils, but on gravelly and warm soils, it is apt to be infested with red spider, and then it becomes unhealthy and unsightly.

ABIES NIGRA (THE BLACK SPRUCE). |

This tree grows in the coldest regions of North America, to the height of 60 or 80 feet, with a trunk of nearly 2 feet diameter. It prefers boggy and humid localities. In dry soils it is often much disfigured by the red spider ; but where it thrives it is a very ornamental tree, with peculiarly silvery foliage and blackish stem. The American spruce beer is made by boiling the young shoots of this tree. The timber is said to be remarkably strong, light, and elastic.

ARAXICABIA IMBRICATA (THE IMBRICATED CHILI PINE).

This noble tree is indigenous to Chili, where it is found growing to a height of 150 ft., and forming vast forests, inhabited by the Araucanians (whence its name), to whom the nut of this tree is an important article of food and of commerce. The foliage of this tree forms a beautiful pyramidal cone, broad at the base, plentifully branched, and gradually lessening in the number and length of its branches towards the summit. The branches spread horizontally in the young tree, rather ascending upwards, in a curved manner, near the top. No timber is harder or more durable ; it is "beautifully veined, and takes a very high polish. This pine is hardy, and grows in any rich soil.

biota meldensis (the french hybrid arborvitae).

A rather fast-growing conical shrub, of loose, spreading, and irregular form. The young branches are very slender, and rather pendulous.

BIOTA ORIENTALIS (THE CHINESE ARBOR- I VITAE). I

An ornamental fastigiate shrub, of a roundish form, and compact denselybranched head. Its colour is a bright yellowish green. This shrub is rather tender when young, and on light warm soils ; but succeeds perfectly on all kinds of clay or heavy soils. It is indigenous to China, where it grows to a height of about 20 feet.

CEDRUS DEODARA (THE DEODAR, OR INDIAN CEDAR).

Perhaps the most noble and gracofully drooping of all trees. It has a peculiarly silvery whitish colour ; is of rapid growth, ', and appears to thrive in every kind of soil. It is a native of the Himalayas, < and is found, in some instances, 200 ft. high, with a girth of trunk of 36ft. 4 feet from the ground. Tt forms an avenue of ] unrivalled grandeur, uniting an extraor- j dinary degree of majesty with jts beauty, j

The timber is remarkably close, resinous, durable, and not liable to warp, even in the thinnest boards. It is capable of receiving a very high polish ; so much so, that a table formed of the section of a trunk about 4ft. in diameter, sent by Dr Wallichto Mr Lambert, has been compared to a slab of brown agate. Dr Falconer states that timber taken from a Hindoo temple, supposed to have existed at least 1000 years, was, to all appearance, as sound as when placed there.

CEDRUS ROBUSTA — (THE ROBUST DEODAR.)

This cedar has longer and larger leaves than the rest of the species, and is more robust in its habit ; but it is not so densely branched. CEDRUS LIBANI — (THE CEDAR OF LE-

banon),

, A most noble tree, of singularly masj sive, sombre, and sublime aspect when ; old. The branches are very strong, and s in maturity so horizontal as to assume a i peculiarly shelf-like appearance. They l extend to a width as great as the height s of the tree, and in old age the tree becomes flat and table-formed at top. The • mountains of Lebanon, so celebrated for the number, size, and beauty of these in the days of King' Solomon, are now almost deprived of large trees. They are found, however, in many parts of Asia Minor, growing from 60 to 80 feet high, with a ■ trunk of 30 feet in girth.

CEPHALOTAXUS FORTUNEI — (FORTUNE'S CEPHALOTAXUS).

This tree is not very hardy, but will '< thrive in most situations if sheltered. It has peculiarly long, straight, sharppointed, glossy green leaves, ranged in distinct rows on the branches. These grow in horizontal whorls on the main stem, and are long, slender, and pendulous. It is a native of Yang Sin, in the north of China, where it forms a handsome tree, growing from 40ft. to 60ft. high.

CRYPTOMERIA JAPONICA — (THE JAPAN CEDAR.)

A tall pyramidal tree, with straight stem, and growing from 60ft. to 100 ft. high, with a trunk girth of 12ft. to 15ft. The wood is very white, close, soft, and easily worked. It is used in Japan for many purposes, especially for cabinet making, and grows well in any soil, but requires a sheltered situation.

cupressus lawsoniana — (lawson's cypress).

One of the most elegant, beautiful, and graceful of trees, suitable for every kind of ornamental planting, and so hardy that the frosts of Great Britain do not hurt it. Murray pronounced it to be the handsomest tree he had seen while exploring in California. The foliage is most delicate and graceful, the side branches ascend like a spruce fir, and droop at the tip like ostrich feathers ; the leading shoots, when young, are pendulous like those of a deodar. The timber is excellent, clear, easily worked, and has a strong aromatic fragrance. The tree is a native of California, where it attains a height of 100 feet, with a circumference of trunk of 6 feet. It grows well in any | good soil.

CUPRESSUS LUSITANICA — (THE CEDAR OF GOA^.

A glaucous and rather pendulous tree, plentiful in Spain and Portugal, where it grows 50 feet high. It is rather tender, but grows freely in light rich soil. CUPRESSUS MACROCARPA — (THE LARGEFRUITED cypress). One of the most beautiful of the cypress tribe. The foliage is of a light vivid green colour ; the leader grows erect, the side branches drooping most gracefully. It grows very rapidly, and for its exquisite colour and elegant growth, it forms altogether one of the handsomest specimens for ornamental effect. It is, except when young and in very oold situations, tolerably hardy, and attains in California a height of 60 feet, with a stem of 8 feet in diameter. It grows in any rich soil, and deserves a place in every collection.

| CUPRESSUS SEMPERVIRENS (THE UPRIGHT/ I CYPRESS). I

So frequently drawn in Italian scenery —a tapering, close growing, spiral, tall tree in warm climates ; but in England it rarely exceeds 40 feet high. It is among evergreen shrubs what the Lombardy : poplar is among leaf-shedding trees — most desirable for contrast with round- ' headed shrubs. It is rather tender when : young, and requires shelter. There is a '■ noble specimen at Sommes, in Lombardy, 121 feet high, with a girth of trunk 23 ■ feet at a foot from the ground. Napoleon ' 1. , when constructing his road over the Alps, diverged from a straight line to avoid injuring it.

JUNIPERRUS CHINENSIS— (THE MALE CHI- < NESI3 JUNIPER). j

One of the hardiest and most orna- 1 mental shrubs in cultivation, especially i for landscape gardening, for if left to grow i in its natural foajj, it is during spring j

quite golden with its numerous male flowers. The plant is common in China and Japan, where it grows 30 feet high, and will thrive well in any good soil. LIBOC3DRUB CHILENSIS — (THE CHILIAN

arborvitae).

An exceedingly pretty conical shrub, densely branched, with branchlets compressed. .The leaves are bright green, having silvery glaucous furrows underneath, giving the plant a pretty and very iperaliar effect. The branches are short and rather spreading in growth, those near the top ascending, and at the top they are quite erect. Its bark is greyishbrown, rough, and furrowed ; and the wood is very hard, resinous, yellowish, and possesses an aromatic fragrance. This is a beautiful species from the Andes, where it grows from 60 to 80 feet high. It requires a dry and sheltered situation.

PICEA CEPHALONIA (XHE MOUNT ENOS FIE.)

Where this thrives, it is a lovely tree. It should always be planted in very elevated situations, and on cold soils. It is found on Mount Enos, the highest mountain in Cephalonia, 5000 feet above the sea level, growing upwards of 60 feet high, with a diameter at the trunk of 8 feet. The timber is valuable. PICEA NORDMANNIANA (nORDJMANN's SIL-

VER FIB).

A noble fir, of majestic and symmetrical form. It seems to thrive everywhere, and forms so handsome a specimen as to attract attention — especially during the summer months, when the contrast between the old and young leaves is most effective and beautiful. It is most valuable in landscape gardening, its warm green contrasting so well with all the shades of blue and grey. It is found on the Crimean mountains, and those to the east of the Black Sea. The stem is exceedingly straight and smooth, the timber hard and good, and the tree grows to a height of 100 feet, with a diameter of 3 feet at trunk.

PICEA PIN SAP A— (THE PINSAPO FIR).

A very handsome densely branched tree, resembling cephalonica, but unlike it in being always free from enlarged buds. It will thrive in any situation. The branches are very thickly placed in whorls, spreading horizontally, which makes the tree singularly beautiful. It is one of the most desirable trees for ornament that can be planted, especially for a lawn, for its perfect symmetry of form is most striking. As it is a native of Spain, it is remarkable that it was not introduced into England till 1839.

PINUS MCJRICATA ('CHE BISHOP'S PINE).

A conical-shaped tree, with leaves of a deep green colour, 3J to 4 inches long, and rather thinly set" on the branches. The latter are not very numerous, but are moderately strong, and rather irregular. Dr Caulter discovered this pine at San Luis Obispo (the Bishop's), whence its name, at an elevation of 3000 feet. It grows very fast in any good soil, and is quite hardy.

PINUS PINE^E (THE ITALIAN STONE PINE).

A round-headed tree, with leaves of a deep green, and from 5 to 8 inches long. The leaves on the young plant are singularly glaucous. This pine furnishes the Carpathian balsam. It is common in the south of Europe, on the coast of the Mediterranean, and though its ordinary height is from 15 to 20 feet, it has been found attaining a height of 50 or 60 feet. The seeds, or nuts, form an article of commerce. The timber is valueless. •

PINUS BENTHAMIANA — (BENTHAM's PINE).

A very large and most noble pine, with bright dark green leaves, nearly a foot long. These are thickly set on the branches, which are very stout and spreading. Mr Harlwig found one of these pines near the Bear Creek, in California, 220 feet high, with a trunk circumference of 28 feet. It is the most valuable of the tribe for timber, and is a remarkably handsome tree, quite hardy. It grows freely in rich soil.

PINUS INSIGNIS— (THE REMARKABLE PINE).

A most beautiful grass-green pine, with leaves from 4 to 6 inches long, and very thickly set on the branches. It is freely and rather irregularly branched. It grows veiy fast, and on hills, or where it is uninjured by severe frost, it forms one of the handsomest pines in cultivation, especially for winter scenery, on account of its rich warm golden green tint. It will not thrive in damp situations without being well drained. It is found in California., growing from SO to 100 feet high, with a trunk of 4 feet in diameter.

PINUS PONDEROSA — (THE HEAVY-WOODED PINE).

A large and noble tree, with bright green leaves from 8 to 10 inches long, and slightly twisted, and so heavy that they sink in water. In California the tree grows upwards of 100 feet high, with a trunk of 5 feet diameter. It grows freely in rich light soil. ,

c I PINUS TUBERCUIATA— (THE KNOB-CONED* a pine).

j A handsome medium-sized pine, with' rather stiff, bright green leaves, thickly i set on the branches, and from 4 to 5 inches long. It makes a very nice conical specimen, and though of slow growth, it I attains a height of 40 feet in Upper California.

PINUS EXCELSA — (THE LOFTY BHOTAN r pine).

k A large, rapid-growing, and noble tree, 3 with slender and peculiarly silvery-looking > leaves, from 6 to 8 inches long. The ■ branches are produced in regular whorls ; 5 those near the base of the tree droop, i while those nearer the top grow upwards, 3 giving to the tree a spreading conical i form. There are large and beautiful • woods of this pine on the Himalayas, at an elevation of 5000 to 12,000 feet above the sea. Its timber is soft, white, and 1 remarkably compact, and it produces a large quantity of fragrant, pure turpen- " tine, which is highly valued. The tree ' is remarkably handsome, and very [ desirable for contrast, the foliage being [ almost of a silvery white colour. ! It grows in Nepaul to the height of ■ 150 feet, and when old, the branches droop very gracefully, from which cause . it has been called by travellers iii the Himalayas the Weeping Fir. Its form is . so majestic that the Hindoos call it Bang . of the Pines. It grows freely in any soil,, and is quite hardy.

' PINCJS STROBUS — (LORD WEYjMOUTH'S 1 pine).

' A tall tree, with slender glaucous greent leaves, from 3to 4 inches long. The. bark is very smooth, shining, and ash coloured. The branches are short, ' regular, and tolerably Avell covered with foliage. It becomes a tall, straight, and , handsome tree ; the lower branches drop off as the tree increases in height. The timber is white, light, and free from knots, and easily worked. It is known as the Canadian white pine. It is a native of North America, from Canada to Virginia, and grows 150 feet high, with a trunk of 6 feet diameter. Its timber, being clear and straight, is imported for making masts and bowsprits. It thrives well in any soil.

PINUS SYLVESTRIS — (THE SCOTCH FIR).

A well-known tall tree with leaves of a bluish green or grey colour, from l£ to 2 inches long. This pine will grow in almost any kind of soil and situation, but it makes the best timber on rather a cold and clayey soil, and at a moderate elevation. It ' is common throughout Europe, and like most trees of a great geographical range, its varieties are very numerous. In favourable .situations it has been found growing 100 feet high, with a trunk of four feet diameter. Oil of turpentine, and common and Burgundy pitch are obtained from it. This pine is the badge of the Highland Clan M'Gregor.

PINUS SABINIANA (MR SABINE's PINE).

A noble and very peculiar-looking tree, forming a most striking object, with leaves from 10 to 14 inches long, of a, silvery grey colour, twisted and drooping. The branches are numerous, but not stout, and are covered with a silvery violet blue when young. It is a handsome and extraordinary-looking tree, of rapid growth, and most valuable in landscape gardening. It grows in TJuper California to the height of 150 feet, with astern 12 feet in diameter, and regularly furnished with branches to the ground. It grows freely in sandy soil.

PINU.S LAMBERTIANA — (LAMBERT^ PINE).

A mammoth tree, with stiff yellowish green leaves from four to six inches long. The branches are regulai*, rather pendulous and well covered with foliage. The seeds are used as food by the North American Indians, and the bark when bruised produces a large quantity of resin, which, when roasted, becomes sweet, and is used by the natives instead of sugar. It forms a giganti* tree, with a straight stem and an open conical head, and attains its greatest diameter when growing in pure sand. It is admirably adapted for forming a back ground in scenery, or for planting singly in parks. The timber is soft, white, and easily worked. It is a native of Northern California, where it shoots up a straight cylindrical stem, exceeding 200 feet in height, with a trunk girth of 60 feet.

PINUS CEJVIBRA (CEMBRAN OR SWISS STONE PINE).

A native of the mountains of Europe and Northern Asia, at a great elevation, often close upon the snow-line. It is an invaluable tree for planting on cold, elevated situations in this coimtry. Its height is from 50 to 100 feet. The timber is light brown, resinous, and possesses an agreeable fragrance, which it is said toretain for centuries.

PINUS AUSTRIACA— (THE AUSTRIAN PINE).

A large and noble tree, perhaps un* equalled, for purposes of ?IyeJter ? and in--

valuable in landscape gardening for forming a rich dark background, ft is densely branched and thickly covered with dark glossy green leaves, which are four or five inches long, It is suitable for almost eirery situation, and grows well near the sea. Its timber is strong, tough, resinous, and [valuable for resisting the effects of change from moisture to dryness. This tree is found on the calcareous mountains in lower Austria and the Black Forest, growing to the height of 120 feet, with spreading branches and a flat top when old.

SEQUOIA SEMPERVIRENS — (THE EVERGREEN RED WOOD TREE).

A very rapid growing tree, with somewhat of the general appearance of a deciduous cypress, but evergreen, and with foliage of a glaucous tint. • In sheltered situations, it forms a noble and gracefully branched tree. It cannot be recommended for bleak or exposed places, "for, in consequence of its continuing to grow so late in the autumn, the young shoots get more or less injured by frost and wind. It is called in Upper California " The Giant of the Forest," and it well deserves this name, for some of the trees are 300 ft. high, with a trunk of 55ft. in circumference ai 6ft. from the ground. Its timber, when seasoned, does not warp, and is never attacked by insects. The colour of the timber is a beautiful mahogany red.

THUJA GIGANTEA— (THE GIANT ARBORVITJ3).

A noble tree, with a straight and very robust stem. The colour of the foliage is a remarkably bright green, and the branches are long, flat, and frond-like — almost as beautiful as a lycopodium. It is one of the most ornamental shrubs introduced for many years, and is highly suitable for a lawn specimen. It is a native of Nootka Sound ; and is also found in Upper California — growing 140 ft. high, with a trunk diameter of sft., even in sandy soil and at an elevation of 5000 ft. above the level of the sea. The" timber is tough, though white and porous, and contains but little resin.

THUJOPSIS DOLABRATA — (THE HATCHETLEAVED THTJJOPSIS).

This forms a lovely specimen, with flattened leaves of a bright green above and silvery white underneath. These clasp the stem quite closely and give it a peculiar effect, the branchlets being as if they were pressed and very beautiful in colour — much resembling a Lycopod in appearance. It forms in Japan a large and tall tree, with conical-shaped head and vertical branches, pendulous at their extremities. Its timber is highly valued, and used for many purposes. Professor Thunberg calls it the most beautiful of all evergreen trees. Botanic Gardens, May, 1872.