1913] The Ottawa Naturalist. 31 



THE SHADE TREES OF OTTAWA.* 



In this paper several introduced species are included, but 

 only in a few cases are varieties referred to. Those who wish to 

 learn about the most valuable varieties can readily do so at the 

 Central Experimental Farm, where all hardy and useful varieties 

 are being tested. We exclude from consideration in this paper 

 all evergreens and fruit trees. 



Salicaceae. 

 There are about six species of native Willows that 

 attain the character of trees, yet few of them can stand 

 the dry soil of a city. They are more common in the country 

 and along the borders of streams. As a familv they have soft 

 pliant wood, slender branches, and large fibrous roots. The roots 

 are remarkable for their toughness and tenacitv of life. 



There are several large willows in a vacant lot near Rideau 

 Gate, and throughout lower town they are more frequent than 

 in the other parts of the city. I am not sufficiently familiar 

 with the particular characteristics of this familv in the winter 

 to say to which species they belong whether Salix alba, S. nigra, 

 or S. jragilis, but think they belong to the first, the white willow. 

 This willow possesses some of the more important qualities 

 requisite for a shade tree: it can readily be transplanted and it 

 has great tenacity of life. As long as it has sufficient moisture 

 it will grow. And yet it is not a tree to be recommended. It 

 cannot compare in beauty either of foliage or of outline with 

 other trees. Yet there are some exceptions. 



The Weeping Willow T , Salix Babylonica, is an introduced 

 species, and deserves mention as a remarkably graceful tree, 

 although it is more commonly associated with cemeteries than 

 as a city shade tree; and I do not know of one growing in the 

 city, although it is included in the catalogue of trees and shrubs 

 that grow at the Experimental Farm, and is classed as "hardy." 

 There are about 150 species or varieties of willow planted there, 

 of which one half are counted as hardy, and possibly more would 

 have thrived if planted on the low ground near the Canal. The 

 Wisconsin Weeping Willow, 5. Babylonica dolorosa, has been 

 introduced along the Driveway and is doing well. 



Among the Poplars the most important is an introduced 

 one, Populus nigra pyramidalis, the Lombardy Poplar. This 

 tree possesses a very characteristic outline, even more so than 

 the elm, and is therefore well known to everybody. This outline 

 is just as marked in the winter as in the summer. Its branches 



*Paper read bylDr."E. r H. Blackader at a meeting of the Botanical 

 Branch held at the residence of Mr. J. J. Carter, March 1st, 1913. 



