264 TREES OF MINNESOTA. 



Distribution. Over the low bottom lands and swamp borders 

 of the greater part of British America and the northern part of 

 the United States. In Minnesota found throughout the northern 

 part of the state. 



Propagation. By seeds and cuttings. 



Properties of Wood. Light, soft, not strong, close grained; 

 light brown, with thick nearly white sapwood. Specific gravity, 

 0.3635; weight of a cubic foot, 22.65 pounds. 



Uses. The Balm of Gilcad and its varieties are occasionally 

 used for ornamental planting, but while they are of rapid growth 

 and occasionally make good specimens, their open habit and lia- 

 bility to die in the top make them undesirable for extensive plant- 

 ing. The wood is excellent for paper pulp. The buds are used 

 in liniments; their virtues probably being analagous to those of 

 turpentine and the balsams. 



Varieties 



Populus balsamifera candicans. Hairy Balm of 

 Gilead. 



. This form has a wider leaf, longer and more resinous buds, 

 more spreading branches, heavier wood, and is a more orna- 

 mental tree than the species. It is common in plantings in the 

 Northeastern States and Eastern Canada. 



Populus balsamifera intermedia. 



A European form, with close, upright habit and very thick, 

 hard, oval leaves, which are whitened beneath. It is known to 

 horticulturists as P. laurifolia and P. sibcrica pyramidalis. 



Populus balsamifera viminalis. 



A native of Northern Europe. The tree is of slender growth, 

 with a slightly weeping habit when old. It has sharply angled 

 twigs and willow-like leaves. Known to horticulturists as P. 

 lindleyana, P. salicifolia, P. crispa, P. dudleyi and P. pyramidalis 

 snavcolcns. 



Populus balsamifera latifolia. 



A variety including several Asiatic forms, with nvate leaves, 

 cylindrical twigs and general habit of the Balsam Poplar. The 



