CAROLINA POPLAR 



The Carolina poplar (Populus deltoides carolinensis) is a very rapid 

 growing tree with large leaves which is easy to transplant and which will 

 thrive under a wide variety of soil conditions. For this reason it is widely 

 planted although it has many undesirable features which ordinarily makes 

 the choice of other species preferable. It reaches maturity quickly, breaks 

 easily because of its brittle wood, and suckers badly. It is particularly bad for 

 street planting since its fine roots penetrate the slightest crevice in a sewer- 

 pipe in its vicinity and fills them with a network of fibers which soon stops 

 the flow of water. Some towns have passed ordinances that forbid the planting 

 of the tree because of its objectionable habits. If other trees will grow, the 

 Carolina poplar should not be planted If used at all, it should be planted 

 with the idea of cutting the trees out in a few years. 



LOMBARDY POPLAR 



The Lombardy poplar (Populus nigra italica) derives its name from its 

 abundance on the banks of the Po and other rivers in Lombardy. It was 

 brought into Italy from the Himalayas by way of Persia where it has been 

 planted along the roads from very early times. 



Most of the broad-leaved deciduous trees have rounded contours. The 

 Lombardy poplar stands almost alone in the remarkably erect, or fastigiate 

 habit of growth of its branches which are of almost equal length at the base 

 and at the top of the tree, and which point upward at a sharp angle from the 

 trunk. It is called the "exclamation point" in landscape architecture because 

 of its tall pyramidal form which is utilized to mark the position of houses or 

 serve as sentinels at the entrance of parks. When planted close together the 

 trees make an excellent wind-break because of their low branches which form 

 a wall of foliage against drying winds. 



Early in the spring the flowers appear as long catkins, dangling on the 

 bare branches. While the catkins are having their day the leaf buds are 

 swelling. When they burst, the two outer scales turn red and the emerging 

 leaves are curled up on their faces from margin to margin in two coils which 

 as they roll back expose the shining, bronze face of the little leaf. Soon the 



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