By Julie Christensen
When you think of poplar Tree , you probably think of the Lombardy poplar tree . This Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , with its fast growth and upright , columniform form , is frequently used as a shelterbelt or to line driveways and avenues . But , the poplar family includes more than 35 aboriginal species , such as Tilia heterophylla , aspens and balsams .
These Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree make fine landscaping trees because they grow rapidly and most have magnificent yellowish fall foliage . white basswood make splendid nuance trees and offer habitat for wildlife , while aspens work well in thickset spaces . Balsam poplars are an ideal choice for moist soils . poplar tree have some limitation , though , including imperfect wood and a propensity for disease .
Identifying Poplars
Cottonwoods(Populus deltoids)grow throughout much of the U.S. , and especially along flow and rivers . These large tree diagram have a gnarled open form , rough barque and heavy , tear - regulate leaves that turn yellow in the fall . Female trees shed white fluff in the springtime , hence the name .
Aspens(Populus tremuloides)grow at gamey altitude in the Rocky Mountains and a few other expanse in the U.S. They have lily-white bark , a straight trunk and split - shaped leafage that “ quake ” in the wind , which is why they are sometimes holler “ quake aspens . ”
Balsam poplars(Populus balsamifera ssp)thrive in moist , swampy soil throughout the northerly regions of North America . These tree diagram strive 80 feet tall , with a tall , columnar torso , rasping barque and an open crown .
Lombardy poplars(Populus nigga ‘ Italica’)were planted extensively on prudish estates , but they ’ve fall out of favor in late twelvemonth because of their curt lives and invasive roots . These trees have an upright frame and brilliant dusk foliage .
For close - up photos of the farewell and barks of the species above , insure out thesetree fact sheets from Virginia Tech University .
Note thatTulip Poplars(Liriodendron tulipifera ) , also called yellow poplars , are not in reality part of the poplar family at all . They are known for their extremely improbable growth and beautiful tulip - like yellowed blossoms in the bound .
Poplar Tree Care
Poplars belong to to the willow family and have similar care requirements . In warm , damp conditions , poplar tree grow as much as 24 in in a year , making them one of the fastest - growing Tree around . alas , many poplar trees are unawares - lived . aspen and Lombardy poplar , in special , seldom live more than 20 years .
Poplars grow best in full sun and somewhat damp territory . These trees all have shallow roots and can cause hurt to underground pipe and sidewalks . Cottonwoods and Lombardy poplars , in particular , have roots that carry into the surface of the soil , which makes mowing a lawn unmanageable and can cause a hazard in the yard . To control these problems , plant poplar tree trees at least 30 to 40 feet from your house , sidewalks and underground pipes . Mulch the area underneath the tree diagram .
poplar tolerate a miscellany of land types , although aspens favour slimly acidulous soil . When planting any poplar tree , add compost or dampen peat moss to improve drain . On large clay soils , consider using a raised seam . Unless you have very hapless soil , you believably wo n’t need to fertilize established Tree , specially if they ’re originate near a fertilized lawn . In fact , too much fertiliser can promote gentle growth and disease and pest .
Poplar trees are notorious for bring about sucker in the yard . These trees disseminate by seed , but they also reproduce through undercover roots and sucker that eventually become new Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . A grove of aspen , for exercise , look to be many trees , but the trees are in reality one being , sharing an secret root scheme . To operate suckers , simply snip them back several times throughout the get season or mow them down . When an older tree begin to die , cut it down and allow Modern sucker to take its place . Do not use systemic herbicides to kill suckers because the weed killer will diffuse through the etymon system and defeat desirable trees as well .
Pests and Diseases of Poplar Trees
The main reason most poplars exit young is their susceptibleness to insect and disease problems . Aphids and oyster scale plan of attack the leave and stems , while borers burrow through the trunk . To do by aphids and oyster scale , spray Tree in spring with insecticidal oil color , cake the leave as well . To plow borers , rationalise out infected sphere , which are evidenced by deadening hole at the base of a arm , as well as leaf and hint dieback .
Poplar tree are susceptible to cankers and leafage spotlight disease , as well . Fungicides are available to regale these disease , but the most common response is but to clean up leaf litter in the descent and snip out infect arm .
For more selective information , chat the postdate sites :
Lombardy Poplarfrom the University of Florida IFAS Extension
Cottonwoodfrom the Great Plains Nature Center
Aspen Treesfrom Colorado State University Extension
Planting Poplars ( video)from Utah State University file name extension
When she ’s not writing about horticulture , food and canning , Julie Christensen enjoys expend prison term in her gardens , which let in perennials , vegetables and yield trees . She ’s written hundreds of gardening article for the Gardening Channel , Garden Guides and San Francisco Gate , as well as several due east - books .
