ORNAMENTAL AND SHADE TREES 



995 



fact, however, is that even this fast growth itself soon 

 becomes a most serious objection against the poplar, be- 

 cause the tree grows so rapidly that it soon becomes top- 

 heavy, and the wood being soft and brash, breaks of its 

 own weight. The main roots of the poplar grow very 

 large and upset the pavement of the sidewalk, while the 

 finer rootlets in their search for water extend themselves 

 to the nearest water or sewer pipes, penetrating the ce- 

 mented joints of these, and in course of time develop 

 sufficiently to clog up the passages. 



The conventional outline of its form and its system of 

 branching as well as the stiffness of its foliage does not 



LOMBARDY POPLAR 



This tree has a special landscape value which no other tree possesses 

 and under special conditions it can be used to better advantage than 

 other trees. 



even recommend the poplar as a beautiful tree. Its leaves 

 begin to drop earlier than those of most of our other 

 shade trees and the flowers of the male trees during 

 their period of falling cause much discomfort to pedes- 

 trians. It is a tree that requires constant trimming, pos- 

 sesses a very short life and is frequently destroyed by 

 scale insects and borers. The city government in Albany, 

 N. Y., in 1871, not only forbade the planting of the 

 poplar, but also compelled its removal from the streets 

 at the time this ordinance was passed. 



In Washington, D. C, in Brooklyn, N. Y., and in most 

 other cities where the care of the city trees is charged 



to some special authority, the poplar is not tolerated. 

 The species which is most commonly planted and to 

 which these remarks apply more directly is known as the 

 Carolina poplar. But there are three other kinds fre- 

 quently used the Silver, Lombardy and Balsam poplars, 

 and most of the defects enumerated above are equally 

 applicable to all. 



A CAROLINA POPLAR 



Many believe that because of its quick growth the poplar is desirable for 

 street planting. It is not, however, as its roots, which grow large, are 

 likely to do much damage to the pavements, while tlie finer roots, 

 in their search for water, extend themselves to the nearest water or 

 sewer pipes, penetrating the cemented joints of these and sometimes 

 clogging up the pipes. 



There are occasions, however, under special conditions, 

 v/here the poplar may be used to better advantage than 

 any other tree. The Lombardy poplar, for instance, 

 has a special landscape value that no other tree can pro- 

 duce. The Silver poplar is very desirable for seaside 

 planting and the Carolina po])lar is so well adapted to 



