Chapter 3 No.3

Western White Pine.

Pinus monticola Douglas.

Pinus, the classical Latin name; monticola means mountain-dweller.

Habitat.

Habitat: (See map); grows at great elevations, 7,000'-10,000'. Best in northern Idaho.

Characteristics of the Tree: Height, 100'-160'; diameter, 4' to even 8'; branches, slender, spreading; bark, gray and brown, divided into squarish plates by deep longitudinal and cross fissures; leaves, 5 in sheath; cones, 12"×18" long.

Appearance of Wood: Color, light brown or red, sap-wood nearly white; non-porous; rings, summer wood, thin and not conspicuous; grain, straight; rays, numerous, obscure; resin ducts, numerous and conspicuous tho not large.

Leaf.

Physical Qualities: Weight, very light (58th in this list); 24 lbs. per cu. ft.; sp. gr. 0.3908; strength, medium (56th in this list); elastic (35th in this list); soft (63d in this list); shrinkage, 3 per cent.; warps little; moderately durable; easy to work; splits readily but nails well.

Common Uses: Lumber for construction and interior finish.

Remarks: Closely resembles Pinus Strobus in appearance and quality of wood.

Cross-section, magnified 37? diameters.

Radial Section, life size.

Tangential Section, life size.