170 GUERNSEY. 
Populus alba, L. . White Poplar. 
Alien. First record: Babington, 1839. 
Frequent throughout the island: more common in the low-lying 
districts. Probably always planted. 
The ancients regarded the White Poplar as symbolical of Time, 
partly because the leaves appear always in motion, but also because, 
being dark above and white beneath, they were supposed to resemble 
the alternation of day and night. 
Populus canescens, Sm. Grey Poplar. 
Alien. First record: Marquand, 1891. 
Several trees close together at the lower part of La Ramée: 
certainly planted there. 
Populus tremula, L. Aspen. 
Native (?). First record: Gosselin, 1815. 
Rare, though found in almost every parish. Mostly planted, but 
occasionally occurring in situations where it has the appearance of 
being wild. In Normandy this tree is undoubtedly indigenous, as 
it is also in the south of England. 
The strictly correct name of this tree is simply Asfe, and we find it 
so written by Chaucer and other early poets. Aspen is the adjectival 
form, like golden, the word tree or timber being understood. So 
also to speak of a Linden-tree is quite correct, the substantive being 
properly Zzzd. Gosselin calls this the Trembling Poplar Asp. 
Populus nigra, L. Black Poplar. 
Alien. First record: Marquand, 1891. 
Frequent throughout the island, but always planted. Although 
common enough in England, this tree is only a doubtful native, and 
it is not indigenous in Normandy. Gosselin includes Populus in his 
list, but gives no specific name. 
(Betula alba, L. Birch. Under this species Babington says, in 
Fl. Sarn., ‘Frequent in hedges. Jersey. Guernsey.’ As far as the 
latter island is concerned this is certainly an error. In Guernsey the 
Birch is not to be found in hedges at all, and the trees that occur 
are only to be seen in enclosed grounds, and are no more entitled to: 
a place in the Flora than the Mountain Ash or the Horse Chestnut. 
It is not mentioned in Gosselin’s list.) 
Alnus glutinosa, Gaert. Alder.. 
Alien. First record: Babington, 1839. 
Very rare. A few trees on the edge of the moat at Ivy Castle. 
Several along the stream which crosses the Vale Road. ‘There are 
some Alders bordering the lane behind Sausmarez (111.), but they 
have evidently been planted there. We cannot tell whether this. 
tree was more common formerly, as Gosselin does not mention it,. 
