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82.—QUAKING ASPEN OR ASP. AMERICAN ASPEN. (Populus 
tremuloides, Michaux.) 
One of the most widely distributed of our forest trees, but of little 
value as a timber tree, yet of considerabie importance for quickly cov- 
ering mountain and hillsides denuded by fires, thus furnishing the neces- 
sary conditions for the growth of other longer-lived and better timber. 
Twenty-five to 50 feet in height, and 13 feet or more in diameter. It is 
found abundantly throughout the Rocky Mountain region (northern 
United States, north of boundary, in south central and Pacifie coast 
region,) at elevations between 6,000 and 10,000 feet. The wood is soft, 
light, weak, and little used except for light fuel and in the manufacture 
of paper pulp; the poles occasionally for fencing, 
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Descriplion.—Leaves 1 to 3 inches long, rounded-ovate, short-poinfed, somewhat 
wedge or heart-shaped at the base; smooth on both sides, margin with fine teeth; 
footstalks slender and flattened at right angles to the plane of the leaf. The bark is 
chiefly smooth and of a grayish-white color. 
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83.—BALSAM POPLAR. BALM-OF-GILEAD. TACAMAHAC. (Populus 
balsamifera, Linn.) 
A large tree occurring in the Rocky Mountains of Montana and Idaho 
(it also extends eastward through the Northern States and north of the 
United States boundary). It generally prefers and thrives best in moist 
situations along water-courses, often attaining a height of 60 to 80 
feet, with a diameter of 3 to 6 feet. The wood is quite similar to that 
of the Big Cottonwood (Populus monilifera, Ait.), and a good substitute 
‘for it in more northern localities. 
__-Descriplion.—Leaves ovate, gradually tapering to a point, finely toothed on the 
margin, smooth above, whitish below. Branches round; large buds, coated with 
resinous gum, which is sometimes used in officinal preparations, 
Variety candicans, Gray, of this species is found in Colorado, north- 
ward, and eastward, but is quite unknown in the wild state, being 
chiefly, if not entirely, introduced in the above range; very common. 
The wood is considerably heavier than that of the type. 
Descriplion.—Leaves usually larger, heart-shaped, densely white beneath, and with 
hairy footstalks. 
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84.—BLACK CoTronwoop. “BITTER CoTronwoop.” = (Populus 
angustifolia, James.) 
- Rather abundant throughout the Rocky Mountain region (also in 
southwestern Dakota and eastern Arizona); less common in southern 
part of its range, but one of the least valuable deciduous trees of the 
region. It grows in damp situations, along the borders of mountain 
_ streams, at elevations between 6,000 and 10,000 feet. A considerably 
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