262 TREES IN WINTER 



LOMBARDY POPLAR 



Populus nigra, var. italica Du Roi. 

 P. clilatata Ait. ; P. pyrmnidalis Rozier ; P. fastigiata Desf. 



HABIT — A tall tree reaching- over 100 ft. in height with a buttressed 

 tapering, continuous trunk, sometimes as much as 6-8 ft. in diameter 

 at base; branches numerous, arising low on the trunk, bending upward 

 at a sharp angle with numerous branchlets also sharply ascending to 

 form a very narrow spire-shaped tree of decidedly characteristic ap- 

 pearance; spreading by means of root suckers. It tends to retain its 

 leaves on the lower part of the tree. (See bark picture.) 



BARK — On old trees gray to brown, deeply furrowed. 



T'^VIGS — Resembling those of Carolina I'oplar but slender, round and 

 appressed. 



LiEAF-SCARS — Resembling those of Carolina Poplar, but smaller. 



BUDS — Resembling those of Carolina Poplar but for the most part 

 appressed, distinctly smaller, terminal buds seldom over 10 mm. long 

 and lateral buds generally under 8 mm. in length. 



FRUIT — Absent, only staminate trees being known of this variety. 



COMPARISONS — The Lombardy Poplar is readily distinguished from 

 all our other trees by its striking spire-shaped habit of growth. In 

 twig characters it resembles the Carolina Poplar but the twigs are 

 slender and the buds average smaller and are more characteristically 

 appressed. 



DISTRIBUTION — A European tree much planted in this country for 

 ornament, escaping to a certain extent to roadsides and river banks. 



WOOD — Light, soft, weak, close-grained, reddish-brown with thick 

 nearly white sapwood, used to a slight extent in the manufacture of 

 boxes and wooden ware. 



