264 TREES OF MINNESOTA. 
Distribution.—Over the low bottom lands and swamp borders 
of the greater part of British America and the northern part of 
the United States. In Minnesota found throughout the northern 
part of the state. 
Propagation.—By seeds and cuttings. 
Propertics of T’ood.—Light, soft, not strong, close grained; 
light brown, with thick nearly white sapwood. Specific gravity, 
0.3635; weight of a cubic foot, 22.65 pounds. 
U'scs.—The Balm of Gilead and its varieties are occasionally 
used for ornamental planting, but while they are of rapid growth 
and occasionally make good specimens, their open habit and lia- 
bility to die in the top make them undesirable for extensive plant- 
ing. The wood is excellent for paper pulp. The buds are used 
in liniments; their virtues probably being analagous to those of 
turpentine and the balsams. 
Varictics.— 
Populus balsamifera candicans. Hairy Balm of 
Gilead. : 
This form has a wider leaf, longer and more resinous buds, 
more spreading branches, heavier wood, and is a more orna- 
mental tree than the species. It is common in plantings in the 
Northeastern States and Eastern Canada. 
Populus balsamifera intermedia. 
A European form, with close, upright habit and very thick, 
hard, oval leaves, which are whitened beneath. It is known to 
horticulturists as P. laurifolia and P. siberica pyramidalis. 
Populus balsamifera viminalis. 
A native of Northern Europe. The tree is of slender growth, 
with a slightly weeping habit when old. It has sharply angled 
twigs and willow-like leaves. Known to horticulturists as P. 
lindleyana, P. salicifolia, P. crispa, P. dudleyi and P. pyramidalis 
suaveolens. 
Populus balsamifera latifolia. 
A yariety including several Asiatic forms, with ovate leaves, 
cylindrical twigs and general habit of the Balsam Poplar. The 
