TfiE Trees of Vermont 71 



SALICACEAE 



Balm of Gilead 



Populus candicans Ait. [Populus balsamifera candicans (Ait.) 



Gray] 



Habit. — A tree 50-70 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 1-3 feet; 

 more spreading branches than in P. balsamifera, forming a broader and 

 more open crown. 



Leaves. — Resemble those of P. balsamifera, but more broadly 

 heart-shaped and more coarsely serrate ; more or less pubescent when 

 young; petioles pubescent. 



Flowers. — Similar to those of P. balsamifera. 



Fruit. — Similar to that of P. balsamifera. 



Winter-buds. — Terminal bud about 1 inch long, ovoid, long- 

 pointed, dark red-brown, resinous throughout, viscid, very aromatic. 



Bark. — Twigs reddish or olive-green, with occasional longitudinal 

 gray lines, covered with a fragrant, gummy secretion, becoming gray- 

 green ; dark gray, rough, irregularly striate and firm on old trunks. 



Wood. — Resembles that of P. balsamifera, but is somewhat 

 heavier. 



Notes. — -The Balm of Gilcad occasionally is cultivated and some- 

 times escapes to the roadsides. It was long confused with P. bal- 

 samifera. Further investigation may show it to be a native along 

 our northern border. It grows rapidly in all soils and situations and 

 spreads rapidly by suckers from the roots. 



