The River Poplar is not rare in the New England forest, but it is little
known as an ornamental tree. Emerson says: “It is much the tallest and
most graceful of those which grow naturally in New England. Its foliage
is equal to that of the Balm of Gilead in size, and superior to it in
depth of color; and the abundance of its aments in the spring, and the
rich colors of its leaf-stalks and young branches, when growing in
somewhat dry situations, make it a beautiful object.” The aments of this
tree are not olive-colored, like those of the two aspens, but inclining
to red, though not so bright as those of the black and Lombardy poplars.
It is very justly called the River Poplar, being found chiefly in wet
places, near brooksides, on the banks of rivers, and in alluvial valleys
which are liable to be inundated in spring. This tree displays the
characteristic peculiarities of the family in giving out its lateral
branches at a sharp angle and subordinate to the trunk.