TREES TOLD BY THEIR FORM 51 



LOMBARDY OR ITALIAN POPLAR (Populus nigra, var. 



italicd) 



Distinguishing characters: Its tall, slender, spire- 

 like form and rigidly erect branches, which commence 

 low on the trunk, make this tree very distinct at all seasons 

 of the year. See Fig. 39. 



Leaf: Triangular in shape, similar to that of the 

 Carolina poplar but smaller, see Fig. 40. 



Range: Asia, Europe, and North America. 



Soil and location: The poplar is easily grown in poor 

 soil, in any location, and is very hardy. 



Value for planting: The tree has a distinctive form 

 which makes it valuable for special landscape effects. It 

 is also used for shelter belts and screening. Like all pop- 

 lars it is short lived and will stand pruning well. 



Commercial value: None. 



Comparisons: The Carolina poplar, or Cottonwood 

 (Populus deltoides) can be told from the Lombardy poplar 

 by its wider crown and its more open branching, Fig. 41. 

 It may be recognized by its big terminal twigs, w T hich are 

 light yellow in color and coarser than those of the Lombardy 

 poplar, Fig. 42. Its bark is smooth, light and yellowish- 

 green in young trees, and dark gray and fissured in elder 

 specimens. Its large, conical, glossy, chestnut-brown bud 

 is also characteristic, Fig. 42. Its flowers, in the form 

 of large catkins, a peculiarity of all poplars, appear in the 

 early spring. The Carolina poplar is commonly planted 

 in cities because it grows rapidly and is able to withstand 

 the smoke and drouth conditions of the city. Where other 

 trees, however, can be substituted with success, the poplar 

 should be avoided. Its very fast growth is really a point 



