Habitat.—Prefers swamps and lake borders, but thrives in many other places.
Notes.—Tamarack is our only native cone-bearer with deciduous leaves. This tree has been transplanted in several places in the State where it makes a good appearance on the lawn.
RED SPRUCE
Picea rubra, (DuRoi) Deitr.
Form.—Height 70-80 feet, diameter 2-3 feet; trunk straight, continuous, free from limbs to a considerable height when in close stands; crown conical; limbs somewhat drooping below, horizontal in the middle, ascending above.
Leaves.—Crowded and diverging in all directions from the twig; rounded or acute points, ½-⅝ inch long, dark yellow-green.
Flowers.—April-May; monoecious; staminate oval, almost sessile, red; pistillate oblong, with thin rounded scales.
Fruit.—Cones ovate-oblong, narrowed from middle to acute apex; 1¼-2 inches long; scales reddish-brown with entire margins.