Populus candicans
Read about Populus candicans in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture
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Populus candicans, Ait. (P. Tacamahaca, Mill. P. ontariensis, Desf. P. balsamifera var. candicans, Gray. P. macrophylla, Hort.). Balm Of Gilead. OnTario Poplar. Strong-growing spreading pistillate tree, much planted as Eu. as "the balsam poplar" and esteemed for its vigor and hardiness and the resinous fragrance of its large buds in springtime: lvs. broad and heart-shaped, very hairy (as are also the twigs), the lf stalk usually hairy and somewhat flattened. G.C. III. 59:230. Apparently a hybrid, the origin of which is in doubt; the native tree usually confused with this is P. balsamifera var. Michauxii, and sometimes also the supposed hybrid, P. Jackii. Said to be sometimes grown under the names of P. suaveolens and P. balsamifera. It is very different from the balsam poplar in method of growth, as it has none of the pyramidal or spire like tendency of that species, but usually makes a broad and irregularly spreading top. The Balm of Gilead makes a good, street tree, and is perhaps the best of the older poplars for shade, but it is not known how extensively it is planted in N. Amer.; it is probably of European origin. Well-grown trees of the form passing under this name in the U. S. have the darkest and richest foliage of any common poplar, and this character makes the tree valuable in heavy groups about the borders of a place. The top is liable to become open and broken with age, however, and the tree often sprouts profusely. It is not well adapted to smoky and dusty locations, as it soon becomes grimy.
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