Properties of Timber: Silver Pine

The Silver Pine Pinus picea is so-called from two lines of white on the under-side of the leaves. It is a majestic tree, and grows rapidly. It is a native of the South of Europe and the Levant, the silver firs on Mount Olympus being magnificent.

It needs a richer soil ans a warmer climate than the pine and the larch, so it cannot be as well cultivated in bleak situations.

The timber it produces is softer and less durable than ordinary pine or larch, and is not so good for general purposes. Its lightness makes it a good material for boats, and planks made from it have the property of not shrinking.

It has been introduced into England as an ornamental tree for more than a century. Similar to it is the Balm of Gilead Fir. This is inferior to it as a grower. It is a native of America, and has been in England for about 150 years. The only place in England where it has grown to reasonable dimensions is Woburn Abbey.



summarised from "The Library of Entertaining Knowledge - Timber trees" (1829), pub. Charles Knight, Pall Mall.

ND, habitat21

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