This section is from the book "Trees And Tree-Planting", by James S. Brisbin. Also available from Amazon: Trees and Tree Planting.
Their Rank among Trees.—Uses to Which Put. — Produce of the Pine.—Places Famous for its Growth.—Its Ornamental Advantages.—The White Pine.—Its Attainable Height and Size.—Scarcity of the Pine in New England and Other States, and Cause. —Present Supply, from Where Procured.—Future Prospects of Pineries.—Its Accommodating Growth.—Soil Suited to its Growth. —Effect of Varied Soils on Quality of its Wood.—An Objection to its Ornamental Qualities.—Properties of its Wood as Fuel.— A Suggestion -on Planting the Pine.—The Red Pine.—Its Nativity.—Attainable Height.—Soil Suited to its Growth.—General Ap pearance. — Durability and Quality of its Wood. — Its Beautifying Advantages.—Experienced Difficulties of Raising.—Practised Roguery in Selling Seed.— Gray and Scrub Pine.— Its Diffused Range of Growth and Attainable Size. —For What Used and for What Recommended.—Its Advantages for Ornamental Purposes.— Its Easy Culture. — The Yellow Pine: Where Found.—Its Substituted Name.—Peculiarities of its Growth.—Soil Suited to its Abundant Growth.—Its Good Qualities and Chief Uses.—Pitch Pine.—Its Confined Range of Growth.—Soil Suited to its Growth, and its Attainable Height. — Its Particular Properties. — Its Chief Uses. — Its Undesirable Peculiarities. — Stone Pine. — Where Found.—Chief Uses and Adaptability.—Properties of its Seed and Durability of its Wood.—Reason of its Non-extensive Cultivation. — Loblolly Pine: Its Disadvantages and General Uselessness.— Scotch Pine.—Its Relative Merits Compared with the White Pine. — Its Usefulness and Recommended Culture. — Austrian Pine: as Recommended by Bryant, Loudon, and Bayreuth. — Where Found—Purpose for which Cultivated.—Its Durability and Other Advantages.—Scrub Pine.—Where Found and its Uselessness.— Corsican Pine.—Its Nativity, Valuableness, Attained Height, and Manner of Growth. — Its Ornamental Advantages. — Table-Mountain Pine.—Its Height and Appearance.—Where Found and General Worthlessness.
This genus ranks among our first forest - trees, and is more widely used for building purposes than any tree we have. The greatest amount is produced from two species. From the pine is produced immense quantities of pine-tar, resin, and pitch, North and South Carolina taking the lead, " The Barrens " of these two states being justly famous, not only for the quantity but for the quality. But not only is it useful for building purposes, but also for ornamental purposes, the only trouble being that these trees are found mostly west of the Rocky Mountains.
This tree, which very much resembles the yellow pine, has given rise to a great deal of controversy as to its relative merits as compared with the white pine. European arborists claim that it is much superior to the white pine, but this claim Americans refuse to admit; but it is hardly fair to make a comparison, as the two trees are so dissimilar. I cannot too strongly recommend this tree, as it is easily cultivated, very hardy, and widely known as a first-class lumber tree.
This tree, which to my mind, on close inspection, is stiff and formal, is recommended by Bryant, Loudon, Bay-reuth, and others as a very ornamental tree. It is found mostly in Austria and the adjacent country; is cultivated chiefly for its turpentine and as fuel; its timber is very tough and durable. It has a very picturesque appearance when seen singly from a distance. It makes splendid wind-breaks.
Found in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and some of the adjacent states. It is a low, dwarfish tree, and is fit for absolutely nothing, being the poorest one of its species.
 
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