362 DECIDUOUS TREES. 



THE BALSAM-BEARING POPLAR OR TACAMAHAC. P. balsami- 

 fera. Curiously enough, though we have lived in the States where 

 this tree is said to be indigenous, we do not know that we have 

 ever seen it. Loudon thus describes it : " The balsam poplar, in 

 the climate of London, is the very first tree that comes into leaf; 

 its foliage is of a rich gamboge yellow, and so fragrant as in moist 

 evenings to perfume the surrounding air. The tree is remarkably 

 hardy, but, unless in the vicinity of water, it seldom attains a large 

 size in England, or is of great duration." 



It is very distinct from the Balm of Gilead poplar having 

 smaller and much narrower leaves, of ovate-acuminate form. It 

 grows from fifty to eighty feet in height. 



THE WHITE OR SILVER POPLAR, OR SILVER ABELE TREE. P. 

 alba. P. alba canescens. This European or Asiatic species has 

 been deservedly the most popular tree of the poplar family for 

 the past twenty years. Contrary to our early impressions of it, it 

 improves on acquaintance. It is the most spreading of poplars, 

 of the largest size, exceedingly rapid growth, and, as far as we have 

 observed, quite healthy. Its leaves are of a deep bright-green 

 color on the upper surface, and have a white down on the under 

 side, which, instead of disappearing as the season advances, as is 

 the case on most leaves of this kind, seems to grow whiter, and in 

 the summer and autumn breezes the tree glows as with myriads of 

 great quivering white blossoms. 



The silver poplar comes into leaf later than the maples and 

 earlier than the oaks, and holds its leaves later than any of the 

 other poplars. In fact, it is in its glory in September and early in 

 October. It has but one serious fault to prevent its being one of 

 the most desirable wide-street or large-lawn trees, viz., its tendency 

 to sucker or sprout from the root. On a lawn kept properly 

 mowed, this tendency would not be very annoying, but in or near 

 cultivated ground, or where the sprouts are once allowed to get a 

 good start, they are quite troublesome. The dead leaves, too, are 

 disposed to absorb dampness from the ground and rot where they 

 lie. They should, therefore, be raked and put on the compost heap 

 as soon as they have fallen. 



