FOREST TREES. 125 
6. Populus balsamifera—Balsam Poplar, Tacmahac. 
Branches, round, leaves ovate, gradually tapering 
and pointed, finely serrate, smooth on both sides, 
whitish beneath ; scales dilated, slightly hairy. 
This Poplar, which is a large and lofty tree, is said 
to be rare within the limits of the United States, but 
is common in the countries north. I have never 
met with it. The timber is said to be little used 
where it is most abundant. A variety of this species, 
P. candicans (Balm of Gilead), which-is a small tree, 
is common in cultivation, and its buds are used for 
medicinal purposes. 
% Populus alba—White Poplar, Abele. 
Leaves, lobed and toothed, somewhat heart-shaped 
at the base, snow-white, and densely downy beneath; ~ 
stigmas, four. 
The White or Silver-leaved Poplar has been widely 
disseminated in the United States as an ornamental 
tree. Planted on lawns, it becomes a nuisance, from 
the number of suckers which it throws up from its 
roots. It is, however, desirable as a street tree in 
towns and cities, where its disposition to sucker is 
not objectionable, since, like other Poplars, it endures 
smoke and dust better than most trees. 
Michaux describes the White Poplar as one of the 
largest trees of the Eastern continent, growing to the 
height of ninety or one hundred feet, with a diame- 
ter of five or six fect. Of the wood he says: “It is 
superior to that of other species of Poplar in white- 
ness, in fineness and in strength; it gives a firmer 
a 
