THE LOMBARDY POPLAR 



THE Lombardy Poplar is one of the most interesting trees cultivated by man. 

 It was formerly believed to have originated in Lombardy many hundreds of 

 years ago in some specimen that assumed the peculiar manner of growth that 

 characterizes the tree, but during recent years the species is said to have been found 

 growing wild in Afghanistan, high up in the mountains. It is an interesting fact that all 

 of the Lombardy Poplar trees which have been grown by man have borne only pollen- 

 bearing blossoms, so that the species has been reproduced by cuttings or suckers exclu- 

 sively, no seed being possible under existing conditions. If the species does grow wild 

 in its native home it ought to be possible to introduce seed-bearing trees. 



The vertical habit of growth of the branches of the Lombardy Poplar at once dis- 

 tinguishes the tree from all others. The leaf also is characteristic, being very broad for 

 its length. The base is usually truncate or wedge-shaped and the apex is acutely pointed, 

 while the margin of the blade is finely crenulate or serrate. The buds are small and 

 vertically pointed, the flower-buds developing very early in spring into pollen-bearing 

 catkins, and the leaf -buds pushing out a little later their young leaves of a rich yellow- 

 green color. The petioles are appressed but rather strong, holding the leaves firmly in 

 their general position but allowing them to move freely from side to side in the wind. In 

 consequence the blades are constantly shifting in unison, the observation of which fact 

 led Leigh Hunt to write 



" The poplar shoot 

 Which like a feather waves from head to foot." 



There has been much discussion concerning the place of the Lombardy Poplar in 

 landscape gardening. In former times it was planted everywhere as an ornamental tree. 

 Somewhat later it suffered from a reaction which led to its general neglect. At present the 

 fact seems to be recognized that a tree with so distinctive a character may be of inestimable 

 value in some parts of a landscape picture while in other parts it may be worse than useless. 

 One situation in which I have lately seen it used to great advantage is in a little park 

 where a group of trees surround a tall flag-pole. There are many such poles which could 

 be helped by such planting. It is easily propagated by cuttings of the branches and grows 

 very rapidly. 



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