Very tall, straight tree with silvery leaves?

Hi everyone, I'm planting a few willows in the garden at the moment & I'd like add a few trees I've admired for a while, but I have no idea what they're called. I often see them lining very large entrances, they are very tall, straight and thin with a very distinctive silver tint to the leaves. I was searching the northern ireland conservation website which has alot of native trees but I can't spot any. Sorry for the very basic description, any advice/suggestions are welcome.

 

Hello again Freedom Spark. I think the trees you are describing are Poplars. They grow very tall and straight. The leaves are not silver but they twirl in a breeze giving a definite shimmering effect.
They are not suitable for a small garden and only look their best standing in a space which complements their height.
If you're interested in another tree with the silvery effect the Whitebeam is very good. It has pale green leaves, whitish underneath and the leaves twirl in a breeze to give a lovely silvery effect. They also do berries like rowans.

 

Thanks Alice, the area I was thinking of putting them is quite large & I think they'd compliment the woodland which is opposite the house and mainly has dark green evergreens. I'll do some research into them & see if they'd be suitable, I'll also take a look at the Whitebeam. Thanks again for being so helpful.

 

could possibly be white limes tilia tomentosa. Often used in old street plantings (large avenues rather than streets) lovly white undersides ang a good traight trunk perhaps not as upright as poplar but a beautiful tree and as with all limes great scent in flower.

 

Hi FS, I guess we are talking about deciduous trees?

Only an outside chance but I was thinking eucalyptus maybe an option, but its evergreen.

 

I too thought Poplars ... but also Birches .... a picture would be useful ...