Then the flat, thin scales open and the seeds take wing, but the empty cones become still more beautiful and effective as decorations, for their diameter is nearly doubled by the spreading of the scales, and their color changes to yellowish brown while they remain, swinging on the tree all the following winter and summer, and continue effectively beautiful even on the ground many years after they fall.

The wood is deliciously fragrant, fine in grain and texture and creamy yellow, as if formed of condensed sunbeams.

The sugar from which the common name is derived is, I think, the best of sweets.

It exudes from the heart-wood where wounds have been made by forest fires or the ax, and forms irregular, crisp, candy-like kernels of considerable size, something like clusters of resin beads.
When fresh it is white, but because most of the wounds on which it is found have been made by fire the sap is stained and the hardened sugar becomes brown.

Indians are fond of it, but on account of its laxative properties only small quantities may be eaten.