In the latter part of April, some of the most conspicuous groups in many
of the wooded districts of Northern New England are Poplar woods, full
of olivegreen aments, and giving the hue of their blossoms and of their
pale green spray to large portions of the forest in scattered
assemblages. At this period the poplars are an important ingredient in
our wood-scenery, especially as their colors vary considerably from
those of other trees until all kinds are in full foliage. They have the
merit also of preceding a greater part of the forest in the development
of their flowers. The aments of a few species are variegated with red
and purple stamens; but the generality do not vary from a pure olive.
The Poplar has not many of the qualities of a beautiful or picturesque
tree. It is marked by a coarse and straggling spray, without any variety
in its combination. It is deficient in beauty and density of foliage,
which is chiefly remarkable for its fragrance and tremulous habit.
All the poplars are rapid in their growth, and will prosper in almost
all situations. They prefer a moist, sandy soil, but shun the peat
meadow. Their rapidity of growth renders them valuable where a speedy
plantation is wanted. Hence they are very generally planted by the sides
of dusty thoroughfares, not being dainty in their choice of soil and
situation. The species generally employed for such purposes is the
Abele, or Silver Poplar, which possesses these requisite properties in a
higher degree than our native trees. It displays also more beauty of
foliage, and takes a rounder and handsomer shape than most others. One
of the defects which I have frequently observed in the shape of the
large poplars is a leaning of the branches rather awkwardly toward the
south-east, caused by the prevalent north-west winds acting upon
branches of great proportional length, and possessing very little
elasticity. This inclination is observed more or less in other
soft-wooded deciduous trees.