Chapter XIV 



THE WILLOWS AND POPLARS 



Family Salicaceae 



AMONG the willows there are so many 

 hybrids and varieties that their classi- 

 fication is difficult even in summer 

 when an analysis of the flowers is possible. 

 Most of the species in the Eastern States are 

 shrubs, and I have chosen the only large tree, 

 the white willow, as a representative species for 

 study in winter. The genus Populus also be- 

 longs to this family, of which four species grow 

 commonly in New England. 



White Willow ^ ^ ar S e tree > 5 to 8o f eei high> 

 Saiix alba with thick, rough bark and lithe 



branches. The twigs are s7nooth and often yel- 

 low in color, and the small alternate leaf-scars 

 have three bundle-scars. The buds are pointed, 

 covered with a single scale and placed close 

 against the stems. The lateral buds are numer- 

 ous and are usually larger than the terminal buds. 

 The white willow is really a native of Europe, 



but for generations in New England it has 

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