148 TREES AND TREE-PLANTING. 
THE ASPEN. 
There are many species of the aspen, most of which 
attain considerable size. Their foliage and wood great- 
ly resemble each other, and most of them are of very 
rapid growth, but are equalled if not excelled by far 
more valuable timber trees, and hence in this country 
are not valued so much for timber, because for the same 
labor we obtain a much better article. The seeds are 
covered with a cotton-like down, which becomes a great 
nuisance by being continually blown over everything, 
so that for shade, when planted near a house, the male 
tree should always be preferred. 
AMERICAN ASPEN. 
This tree, which seldom exceeds the height of thirty 
or forty feet, is found in the British Provinces, and in 
the northern part of the United States. It has a soft, 
white wood with the grain very much interwoven, and 
is sometimes used in the manufacture of base-ball bats, 
as it will dent nearly through before breaking. It isa 
very short-lived tree. It has the common characteristics 
of the rest of its family, and should be propagated the 
same way. 
LARGE ASPEN. 
This tree grows and is found in the same locality as 
the American aspen, but is much longer lived and a more 
valuable tree. It is sometimes sawed into square timber 
and used where it can be kept dry; it has a great deal 
of spring and does not easily settle. This tree is cut into 
rails and the bark peeled off, otherwise it would rot and 
require renewal every three or four years; if peeled they 
last from fifteen to twenty years. 
DOWNY-LEAVED POPLAR. 
This species is rather rare in the North, but is found 
from Tennessee southward. It grows to the height of 
