CHAPTER XIII 



THE LOMBARDY POPLAR AND 

 WILLOW OF BABYLON 



IN THE realm of tree-life no stronger contrast 

 exists than that presented by these two trees. 

 It is true that upright and pendulous branch- 

 ing forms occur in other trees but none is fixed 

 in the popular mind so firmly as this Poplar and Wil- 

 low. Their very names conjure up mental pictures 

 of the trees, and they are known far outside the fold of 

 garden-lovers. Both are intimately associated with 

 mankind in many parts of the world, indeed, it is 

 doubtful if any deciduous-leaved trees have been 

 more widely planted on purely aesthetic grounds. 

 In the case of the Poplar some consider that its 

 planting has been over-done — certainly it has been 

 planted where it should not have been and its legiti- 

 mate uses much abused. But this is the fault of 

 man and not of the tree. Rightfully used it is a 

 valuable subject in landscape work and quickly 

 develops a unique effect. By water these trees are 

 complimentary and create a splendid and harmon- 



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