200 TREES OF MINNESOTA. 



hardy in moist soil and on our average prairie soil makes 

 a good growth while young, but soon becomes ragged in the 

 top, and loses some of its branches and occasionally dies. 

 When it becomes ragged in appearance it should be cut back, 

 as it will then often renew itself. The tree is generally short- 

 lived in this section. It does not afford shade enough for a. 

 forest or shade tree and does not make a good wind break, 



Populus alba. Wliite Poplar. Abele. 



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 rfse 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 sucker- 

 ing 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 na 

 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 

 foliage and the 3 to 5-lobed maple-like leaf. It is sometimes 

 wrongly called Silver Maple from the resemblance of its foli- 

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

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



