520. The Cluster pine, or Pinaster as it is also called, is a native of the rocky mountainous parts of Europe, where it grows to a height of 50 to 60 feet, and sometimes 70 feet; it is also cultivated in British plantations. The tree is larger than the Scotch pine, and the wood is soft and not of so red a colour; it produces both pitch and turpentine. Wie-beking says that the wood of the pinaster is more durable in water than in air, it is of a finer grain than either the pine or silver fir (Abies picea). Mathew describes it as a valuable kind of red-wood pine, with strong resinous timber, and from not having one-half of the number of sap-wood layers of the common Scotch pine, he should consider it deserving attention as a naval timber; but perhaps the small number of sap-layers is from want of climate: owing to the branches being larger and, in proportion to their size, being joined to the stem with a larger swell than those of the P. sylcestris, the timber is rougher, with large knots. In the very barren sand and gravel district near Christchurch, scarcely affording sustenance to lichens, and where even heaths will not grow, the tree has been observed to make considerable progress and outstrip the Scotch pine in growth.*

A deep dry sand, or sandy loam in a dry bottom suits the tree best; it abhors chalk and every description of calcareous soil. Though it will endure the sea breeze, it will not thrive in England much above the sea level, †

The timber is employed in the Marine Arsenal, at Toulon, for the outer cases of all packages which are put on board vessels, and also for the piles and props which are used for sustaining the frames of vessels while they are being constructed. In Bordeaux and Provence it is employed for the common kinds of carpentry, for packing-cases, and for fuel.

The weight of a cubic foot of the pinaster is 25 1/2 lbs.