DESCRIPTION OF TREES SUITABLE EOR PLANTING. 



71 



tion of the State. Trees are readily propagated from suckers or cuttings 

 which form an extensive though shallow root system. Trees should he 

 spaced 30 feet. 



TsTecklace Poplar (Populus monilifera) is a tree indigenous to ouj 

 swamps hut now in general cultivation around towns. It makes even on 

 poor soils a large tree 70 or more feet in height, with a short trunk and 

 very large, narrowly conical crown. The growth is extremely rapid, 

 trees frequently attaining a height of 30 feet in ten years from a cutting. 

 The trunk is excurrent and its bark, except at the base, where nearly 

 black, is a pale gray as well as that on the rather numerous ascending 

 branches. The large deltoid foliage appears very late, the trees being 

 naked except for the fruit catkins when all other trees are green and falls 

 correspondingly early in autumn, after turning a dull brovra. In order 

 to avoid the objectionable cotton floats which bear the seed, only the male 

 or pistillate form should be planted. Easily propagated by cuttings. 



Carolina Poplar (Populus deltoides) is a native tree, frequently 

 planted. Although smaller than the preceding, it is similar in habit and 

 cultural characters. The mobile leaves are smaller and appear two weeks 

 earlier in the spring, which adds to its desirability. In spite of their 

 large crowns, both species cast a light shade. The foliage begins falling 

 early in September and the trees are frequently entirely bare before other 

 species have begun shedding. They early reach maturity, usually within 

 twenty-five years, and decline with great rapidity. Both species endure 

 heavy pollarding, but it is apt to injure the symmetry of the crown. We 

 have no other trees which Avill attain the same size in so short a time, and 

 the chief point in their favor is their extremely rapid growth enabling 

 shade to be secured in a few years. 



Golden-bark Willow (Salix alha vitellina) is one of the most desira- 

 ble and rapid growing willows. It forms a broad, spreading crown and 

 has an abundance of slender, glossy, deep green foliage. In winter it is 

 especially attractive on account of its bright yellow-brown barked branches 

 and dense mass of slender, bright colored twigs. There are few verj^ rapid 

 growing trees which would be more desirable for moist soils in the moun- 

 tains of this State. It is rather 'short-lived, however, and will probably 

 not become older than 40 years. It stands heavy pollarding and can be 

 readily raised from cuttings. 



Our native willow does not make a, desirable shade tree, although it is 

 sometimes planted, and the same is true of the weeping willow, which 

 is suitable only for lawns or for planting along river roads and water 

 fronts. 



