Three part question...

1) what kind of tree is this:  
http://jengar.home.sprynet.com/jeffbr/big_tree.jpg   ?
2) roughly how old is it?
3) why would someone plant rows of these trees in public parks (is
there a function these types of trees are known for? shade?
windbreak?)

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Clarification of Question by juniper68-ga on 30 Jun 2002 21:26 PDT

Hi AI, Did you check the photo?  The row of trees is in a Seattle, WA
(usa) park. The bark is not too rough, but thick and doesnt peel
easily.   No flowers, fruit or nuts.  I'm pretty sure it's not
Euchalyptus. Hope this helps.
J68

hi Juniper...always good to see an interesting question, keeps things
mentally stimulating.

1. What kind of tree is this?
After having a good look at the tree, I was sure it was a poplar much
like the trees that lined our neighbors yard when I was young. The
main reason I remember this tree is a. it grew really fast. b. it was
fun to climb, and c. the town tree surgeon told me that it was a smart
tree. It would actually seek out underground water sources to help
it's growth. Unfortunately the reason he had the time to discuss this
with a young tree climber was that the poplar had broken into an
underground water or sewage pipe (don't remember that part, I was
fairly young) and had caused many problems until the nice tree surgeon
arrived to cut it down.

This specific Poplar (based on it's height and width) is a Lombardy
Poplar.
http://www.hillscreeknursery.com/Lombardy%20Poplar.htm

Below are some other links to pictures of lombardy poplars:

http://www.fishing-in-wales.com/wildlife/plants/trees/lombardy.htm
http://www.kvnr.net/lombardy%20poplars.gif
http://www.geoffdore.com/noframes/pages-m/poplars-france.htm
http://web.reed.edu/trees/TreePages/POPU.html

Google Keywords: Lombardy Poplar

2) roughly how old is it?
http://www.cdr3.com/lombardy/
"Lombardy Poplar trees grow fast, six feet or more in a year, and they
could use a boost of fertilizer now and then. Some people have had
their trees grow 9 to 12 feet a year!"

Estimating the person in the image at or about 5 to 6 feet. The tree
stands a clean 120 feet. About the maximum height for that tree, so it
is between 20 to 25 yrs old depended on it's individual growth rate.

Google Keywords: Lombardy Poplars growing

3) why would someone plant rows of these trees in public parks (is
there a function these types of trees are known for? shade?
windbreak?)

Actually a combination of windbreak and border/fencline/privacy.
http://www.swcoloradowildflowers.com/Tree%20Enlarged%20Photo%20Pages/populus%20nigra.htm"
Lombardy Poplars are planted across the United States as an ornamental
and windbreak."
http://www.cdr3.com/lombardy/
"Lombardy Poplars - Great Border or Privacy Screen Trees"

Google Keywords: Lombardy Poplars windbreak 

I hope more interesting questions like yours continue to pop up around
here. :0)

Mother911-ga

For an imprecise question, it was a thorough and clear answer.

Where is the tree located? What are the leaves shaped like?
Bark texture? Can you see roots? Does it have flowers or
fruit or nuts? Does it drop leaves in any particular season?

In California, it was popular to plant Eucalyptus as borders
around farm plots. It seems that they get too big, and eventually
snap under heavy winds (Santa Anas) So most are getting cut down
now. Tall trees are always a nice wind break, but in an area
prone to high winds, they can end up being more damaging than
beneficial. Shade is always nice in areas where direct sunlight
can make ambient temperatures unbearable. Once again, need to
know where that tree is :)

-AI

Without seeing a single thing except the
picture ;-) I'd say a poplar. The variety,
and the actual identification, needs
samples, leaves, bark, twigs, etc.

-AI

Yah, my comment about the eucalyptus was in reply 
to your Part 3, about the windbreaks.