But the true aspen has a smooth bark, while that of the black poplar is scored or rough.
Woodmen always call the aspen the 'asp,' dropping the termination.

In the spring the young foliage of the black poplar has a yellow tint.
When they cut down the alder poles by the water and peeled them, the sap under the bark as it dried turned as red as if stained.

The paths in spring were strewn with the sheaths of the young leaves and buds pushing forth; showers of such brown sheaths came off the hawthorn with every breeze.

These, with the catkins, form the first fall from tree and bush.

The second is the flower, as the May, and the horse-chestnut bloom, whose petals cover the ground.