Lombardi popples

[rumeye]

I have about 30 of them as a border around my front yard. They are about 20 years old. Slowly they are starting to die one by one. I know they are short lived trees question I have is are their root systems connected because it seems like everytime one dies and I cut it down and pull the stump the next tree in line will die also. They are great at keeping road dust down in the summer. Should I be replanting new ones in place of the ones that die or is there another fast growing tree that I should be using instead. I live in sand country,any info would be appreciated.

[Quetico]

They might have root grafted. Its not uncommon. They were likely planted at the same time and are living a similar life span.

Another option would be silver maples. They aren't the narrow upright form but will serve the same purpose. They also go good in the same site conditions as Lombardi.

[klecker]

Could even plant Autumn Blaze Maple. Its a cross between red maple and silver maple. Dosent get any seeds, due to crossing. Roots stay lower than the silvers. Has a good growth rate as well.