There are three valuable species of Abies, namely: _A. Douglasii_, _A. concolor_, and _A. Engelmanni_. _Abies Douglasii_, or Douglas’ spruce, bears some resemblance to the eastern spruce, _A. Canadensis_, but it is a finer tree, and the wood is much superior. Though rather light, it is tough and exceedingly durable. The heart wood is red, from which circumstance lumbermen distinguish it as the “Red pine”. In building it is used for all the heavier parts, as frames, joists, rafters, etc., and it makes excellent flooring. Its value is still further enhanced from the fact that it occupies a belt of from seven to nine thousand feet altitude, and thus is easily obtained. It may readily be distinguished by its cones, the bracts of which are trifurcate, sharp, pointed, and conspicuously exserted, and they are unlike those of any other species. _Abies concolor_, known in Utah as the “Black balsam”, grows at about the same altitude as the last mentioned species, and though rather cross-grained makes good lumber, being quite durable and strong. From its silvery foliage, the leaves being glaucous on both sides, this tree is known to tourists as the “White silver fir”. Lumbermen sometimes call it the “Black gum”, the wood being very dark colored. _Abies Engelmanni_, or Engelmann’s spruce, occupies the highest elevations, and constitutes the only timber above 11,000 feet in altitude. Above 11,500 feet it is reduced to a dwarf. On the terraces of the high plateaus, at about 10,000 feet altitude, it appears to flourish best, and here it becomes a large, beautiful tree. The leaves are needle shaped, and thus differ from both the preceding species. The trunks are straight and free from limbs or knots, making fine saw logs. The wood is white and soft, but fine grained and durable, and being easily worked is held in high esteem for all the lighter uses, such as sash, doors, etc. Its place in the lumber industries of Utah is about the same as that of the “White pine” (_Pinus Strobus_) in the east. Lumbermen usually call it “White pine”. Because of the altitude of its habitat it is difficult to obtain, yet it is systematically sought, and large amounts are yearly manufactured into lumber; it also makes good shingles.