MASSACHUSETTS FOREST TREES 



POPLARS 



How to know the Poplars 



NOTE. Introduced species. In addition to these native Poplars, two Euro- 

 pean species are very commonly planted the Lombardy Poplar (P. nigra Italica), 

 recognized by its tall, spire-like form, and the White Poplar (P. alba), easily distin- 

 guished by its leaves, green above and very white-cottony beneath. 



The Poplars belong to the Willow family and resemble the Willows, especially 

 in flower and fruit characters. The nodding, worm-like, staminate and pistillate 

 catkins are borne upon different trees and, opening before the leaves, are conspicuous 

 in early spring. The Poplars are quite widely distributed, extending from the Arctic 

 circle to Mexico and from the Atlantic to the Pacific. 



The wood of Poplars is very soft and light and especially liable to warp, but is 

 cheap and useful for making toys, boxes and smaller furniture. Much of it now goes 

 to the pulp mills. 



The Poplars, like the Willows, can be propagated easily from cuttings. 



