POPLARS. 191 



Although it grows rapidly when young it is of very slow 

 growth when older. The wood is used for paper pulp and 

 occasionally for interior finishing and for turnery. It makes 

 good light fuel if cured under cover. 



Populus grandidenta. Large-tooth Poplar. 



Leaves roundish-ovate with coarse unequal teeth, densely 

 covered with silky wool beneath when young, smooth on both 

 sides when old; petioles flattened twigs, not angled. Flowers 

 in hairy catkins 3 to 4 inches long, the staminate catkins 

 longer than the pistillate, stamens about twelve; seeds very 

 small, dark brown. A medium sized slender tree withgreenish 

 grey bark rarely over 75 feet high and 2 feet in diameter; re- 

 sembles the Aspen and is sometimes confounded with it but 

 unlike the common Aspen it rapidly attains considerable size 

 under cultivation. 



Distribution. From Nova Scotia west to northern Minne- 

 sota, south to North Carolina, Kentucky and Tennessee. In 

 Minnesota throughout most of the state in forests, usually in 

 rich moist sandy soil near swamps and streams. 



Propagation. By seeds and cuttings. 



Properties of wood. Light, soft, and close grained but no^ 

 strong; light brown with thin, white sapwood. Specific 

 gravity 0.4632; weight of a cubic foot 28.87 pounds. 



Uses. The Largetooth Poplar can sometimes be planted in 

 timber belts to advantage. . It makes good straight poles for 

 various farm purposes and for framing; it is also used for 

 wood pulp and occasionally in turnery and for woodenware. 



Variet ies. Populus grandidenta has given rise to several 

 varieties with pendulous branches which when grafted on 

 straight stems of the species are used in ornamental planting 

 and form the best weeping poplars. 



Populus balsamifera. Balsam Poplar. Tacamahac. 



Leaves ovate, lanceolate, acute or taper pointed, smooth 

 on both sides; petioles not prominently flattened; buds in 

 spring are large and abundantly covered and saturated with 

 a fragrant aromatic varnish. Flowers appear in April or May; 

 the staminate catkins 2 to 3 inches, and the pistillate 4 to 6 



