40 HOUGH'S AMERICAN WOODS. 



USES. A valuable wood for paper-pulp, small wood en- ware, totraery, 

 and is used to some small extent for lumber. 



MEDICINAL PROPERTIES. The bark of this species possesses tonic 

 properties, and has been used in intermittent fever with advantage.* 



73. POPULUS DILATATA, AIT. 

 LOMBARDY POPLAR. 



Ger. , Pyramiden-Pappel ; Fr., Peuplier pyramidal ; Sp., Alamo de Italia. 



SPECIFIC CHARACTERS: Leaves deltoid, the breadth equaling the length or greater, 

 serrate, moderately acuminate, smooth; buds furnished with a balsamic, aromatic 

 resin. Flowers in aments without hairs. 



(Dilatata is from the Lat. dilato, to extend or iciden, alluding to the breadth of 

 leaves.) 



An interesting tree, distinguishable from all other deciduous trees by 

 its closely appressed branches, making a spire-shaped top. It sometimes 

 surpasses 100 ft. in height with a trunk 3 or 4 ft. (1 m.) or more in diam- 

 eter, furnished with deep buttresses, and clothed in gray, roughly fur- 

 rowed bark. 



HABITAT. The native country is thought to be southern Europe, and 

 particularly that portion of Italy from which it takes its name. It is 

 found, however, in Persia and among the Himalaya mountains, and 

 hence may have been early introduced into Europe from the East. It 

 was formerly extensively planted throughout Europe and in this country 

 as an ornamental tree. We now find it growing apparently spontaneously 

 in places, and particularly along lake-shores, where floating branches 

 must have been deposited and taken root. 



PHYSICAL PROPERTIES. Wood light, soft, not strong, close-grained 

 and taking a satiny finish. It is of a reddish-brown color with thick 

 sap-wood nearly white. 



USES. Although the wood of this species makes excellent lumber, 

 clear white and easily worked, it is seldom used. The trunks are usually 

 short arid the species nowhere enough abundant to give the timber a place 

 in market. It would doubtless be valuable in turnery and for paper- 

 pulp. It is a useful tree for wind-breaks and screens, owing to its 

 rapidity of growth and density of top. 



For ornamental purposes the tree has a value peculiarly its own, no 

 other tree being so well suited as this in its particular place, as when 

 tastefully grouped with low, round-topped trees, to remove the monotony 

 of a level, featureless landscape. 



* U. 8. Dispensatory, 16th ed., p. 1897. 



