White Poplar

General

Scientific Name: Populus alba

Family: Salicaceae (Willow)

Hardiness: Zone 3

Leaves: Deciduous

Plant Type: Tree

Growth

Rate: Fast

Mature Height: >45’

Longevity: Long

Power Line: No

Ornamental

Flowers: Inconspicuous

Fruit: n/a

Fall Color: No

Medium to tall tree sometimes confused with silver maple since the leaves on long shoots are maple-shaped, while leaves on short shoots are shaped more like aspen leaves. The tree is native to central and southern Europe, western Siberia and central Asia. Introduced to North America by early settlers. The largest tree in North Dakota is 65 feet tall with a canopy spread of 50 feet.

Light: Partial shade to full sun.

Water: Appears slightly more drought tolerant than cottonwood.

Soil: Clay to sandy soils.

White poplar is tolerant of urban pollutants. It does have a suckering habitat which poses challenges in lawns and other areas dominated by turf grass. Prolific suckering will occur without continuous mowing.

White poplar is a fast growing tree and it is pretty weak wooded because of this. Its shallow root system may buckle streets and sidewalks.

Credits: Tree Selector Website, North Dakota Tree Handbook, http:// www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx? kempercode=a893