The Cultivated Poplars. 



217 



foliage, and is worth attention in the composition of groups. 

 May be confounded with Poptdus balsamife7-a, var. vimi7ialis,\\\\\c\x 

 see. The slender, cyhndrical winter twigs with small buds (e, fig.i) 

 are ver}^ different from the heavier and angled shoots, with coarse 

 buds, of the other (k, fig. i). 



2. Populus balsamifera (Linnaeus, Sp. PI. 1034 (1753). 

 Balsam Poplar, Tacmahac. Fig. 3. A tall upright tree, with 

 a nairow straight top, growing in woods and along streams in the 

 Northernmost States, and also in Northern Europe and Asia. 

 Leaves thick and firm, \|5 

 erect, whitened beneath, 

 usually smaller than in 

 most other poplars of this 

 Group : in shape ovate- 

 lanceolate or oval, taper- 

 ing towards the top and 

 sometimes at the base, 

 finely and obtusely 

 toothed. Young branches 

 nearly or quite C3lindri- 

 cal. 



The native form is 

 occasionally seen about 

 farm buildings and road- 

 sides, where it makes a 

 durable and pleasant 



tree ; but it is most too stiff for the pleasantest effects and too 

 narrow for the best shade. The dull whiteness of the under 

 side of the leaves affords a pleasant variety and contrast in its 

 foliage, and the fragrance of the resinous buds in spring is pleas- 

 ant to most persons. It is a desirable tree for occasional plant- 

 ing, but, like the Lombardy, it generally appears to best advant- 

 age when placed amongst other trees- It is a hardier tree than 

 the Lombardy, and does not run quickly to such extravagant 

 heights. In cultivation from Russian sources, it is known as 



J. Fopultis halsami/era {i6 Voronesh.) {yi 

 nat. sice.) 



Nos. 16 and 26 Voronesh and 32 Riga. 



Fig. 



3 shows ordinary 



foliage (16 Voronesh) about half size. 



The balsam poplar is probably the most variable of poplars. 



