POPLAR. 271 



it should be cut back, as it will then often renew itself. The 

 tree is generally shortlived in this section. It does not afford 

 shade enough for a forest or shade tree, and does not make a 

 good windbreak. 



Populus alba. White Poplar. Silverleaf. 



Leaves roundish, slightly heart-shaped, wavy toothed or 

 lobed; the under surface, woolly white, especially early in the 

 season. Branches round, without angles; buds small. A large 

 spreading tree of rapid growth, very much disposed to sucker 

 from the root. It has given rise to many varieties, that differ 

 from the species in form of tree and leaf and in other particulars. 



Distribution. Europe and Asia Minor; naturalized in the 

 United States. 



Propagation. By cuttings and suckers. 



Properties of wood. White, soft, light, close grained and easily 

 worked. Specific gravity of air-dried wood 0.48. 



Uses. The White Poplar is seldom planted, as it is not so 

 ornamental as some of the varieties. It is a very hardy tree, but 

 is occasionally killed back in very trying locations. It is well 

 adapted to planting in shelter belts where its suckering habit is 

 not a drawback to its presence. The wood is adapted to inside 

 finishing and to many of the purposes for which White Pine is 

 used. "It is probable that we have no tree with valuable wood 

 that will reach saw log size on our prairie soils as soon as this." 



Varieties. 

 Populus alba nivea, (P. argentea, Koch.} Snowy Poplar. 



This is the commonest form of the White Poplar in this 

 country. It is known by the snow-white under surface of its 

 foilage and the three to five-lobed maple-like leaf. It is some- 

 times wrongly called Silver Maple, from the resemblance of its 

 foliage to that of a maple. The foliage is so very obtrusive 

 that it is likely to be used too frequently in lawn plantings. It 

 may, however, be used sparingly to good purpose to brighten 

 up groups of trees and shrubbery which present too gloomy 

 an aspect. It should seldom, if ever, be used as a street tree as 

 masses of it seem to be out of harmony with every good thing in 

 the landscape. In closely settled communities the down on the 

 leaves often becomes filled with soot and gives the tree a dirty 

 appearance. Hardy everywhere, and easily grown from cuttings. 



