Poplar, types and basic care

The poplars They are trees that are widely used as windbreak hedges, as they have a more or less narrow crown and densely populated with leaves. They also resist the cold very well, and the frosts do not harm them at all. In fact, for them to be well it is important that the climate of the place has the four seasons well differentiated from each other, otherwise they would end up weakening.

It must also be said that these plants do not require special careAlthough some things must be accomplished so that problems do not arise, neither in the short nor in the medium term.

Origin and characteristics of poplar

The poplar or poplar is a deciduous tree of the Salicaceae family belonging to the genus Populus. It can reach a height of 35 meters and that is why it is ideal for planting in places with a lot of wind as its branches are also flexible and that is why they do not break easily. These branches also grow horizontally and bent downwards while the trunk is thick and very erect, quite thin and its main characteristic is that as time passes, the bark cracks and thus the trunk is stained in various shades.

The leaves are bright green, serrated and the flowers are grouped in hanging inflorescences. The fruits are capsules with seeds and bloom during February and March.

In addition to its natural beauty, simple and without turns, one of the great virtues of the poplar is that it is a fast growing treesolid of a sturdy, high-quality woodfibrous and durable, widely used in the lumber industry.

Main species

Several types of poplars and some specimens can be found in places like North Africa, West and Central Asia, some parts of Europe, and South America. These are the best known species:

the white

It is known as white poplar, common poplar or white poplar, and is a species native to central and southern Europe, central Asia and northern Africa. In Spain we find it on the peninsula. Reaches 30 meters in heightand its leaves are tomentose on both sides.

the people of Canada

Known as Canada black poplar or Canadian poplar, it is a hybrid species that comes from the cross of black people with the Alder. Its true scientific name is The people of Canada. Reaches 30 meters in heightand its leaves are green.

graying people

The graying people It is known as gray poplar, bastard poplar or Picardy gray poplar. It comes from the crossing of the white with populus. Its full scientific name is People x graying. It is native to Europe and Western Asia. In Spain it is found in the peninsula, especially in Castilla y León, although it is a rare species in this country. Reaches 30 meters in heightand its leaves are greyish, with a hairy underside.

the Alder

El North American black poplar It is a tree that, as you can guess, is native to North America. Specifically, from southern Canada to northern Mexico. Reaches a height of 20-25 metersand its leaves are glabrous on both sides.

Simon’s people

It is known as pear poplar or Chinese poplar, and is a tree native to China. Reaches 15-20 meters in heightand has leaves with a dark green upper surface, and the underside somewhat lighter.

black people

El black poplar, or black poplar, is a tree native to Europe. Grows to a height of 20 to 30 meters. The leaves are green when they finish maturing, although pubescent when they sprout.

populus

El aspen or Quaking Poplar is a tree native to Europe and Asia, which can reach a height of between 10 and 25 meters. Its leaves have flat petioles, which is why the slightest breeze causes them to ‘tremble’, hence its name.

Uses of poplars

Although the poplar is a tree widely cultivated for specific purposes – to stop the wind, to obtain wood, etc.- it is also widely chosen as ornamental treedesigned to add green to avenues, parks, gardens and fields. It is common to see it next to the roads of the large farms, where they work as screens either in places with a lot of wind or to avoid the land.

Poplar care

There are some things you have to know if you want to plant a poplar in your garden, and they are the following:

• LocationThey are trees that certainly do not take up as much space as a false banana for example, but their root system is highly developed. Therefore, avoid planting them near houses as their roots will affect the foundations over time. At a minimum, they must be about 10 meters from the facade, pipes, etc., but if they can be more, the better.
• Earth: they grow in rich soils with proper drainage (that is, they have a good capacity to absorb and filter water from the first moment it has received it).
• Irrigation: they want plenty of water. It is common to see them growing near rivers and swamps, so you have to prevent the land from drying out.
• Transplant: after frost they can be planted in the garden.
• Rusticity: they resist frosts down to -18ºC without problems, but in tropical climates they would not survive.

What did you think of the poplars?