Populus alba L.
Silverleaf Poplar, White Poplar| Category |
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Description
Height
White Poplar can grow up to 80 feet tall. The trunk can grow up to 2 feet in diameter.Bark and Twigs
Young trees have bark that is greenish white and smooth and becomes greyer and wrinkled over time. Young twigs are densely pubescent, especially near the tip of the twig.Leaves
White poplar is a deciduous tree. The tops of the 2 to 4 inch long maple-leaf shaped leaves are a dark glossy green, while the underside has a pubescent, white appearance; leaves have 3 to 5 lobes or broad teeth.Flowers
White poplar is a dioecious, catkin forming plant. Catkins form before the leaves flush in the spring.Seeds
Seeds are small, dehiscent capsules with a tuft of cotton for facilitating long distance movement.Images
Photo: Richard Old, XID Services, Inc., Bugwood.orgMore images of Populus alba
Life History
White Poplar, as most in the Populus genus, can grow quickly and form monotypic clonal colonies through root suckering. It will re-sprout easily due to damage. In its introduced range, it does not appear to reproduce frequently from seed as the germination rate for white poplar seeds appears to be low. It is susceptible to many plant diseases and insects as well as being easy to damage in storms.Habitat
The tree prefers moist soils and full sun but is drought, pollution and salt tolerant. Due to low seed germination, this plant primarily reproduces clonally and will be found around old home sites where it was initially planted.Origin and Distribution
This plant originated in Eurasia with a native distribution from the Mediterranean region north to Germany and west into Russia up to Siberia. In North America, it is found in most states and provinces. Originally it was introduced in the 1700s as an ornamental due to its attractive foliage, though it is now infrequently planted due to its numerous drawbacks. However, it can persist in natural areas around old homesites.Management Recommendations
Mechanical Control
Seedlings and small trees can be hand pulled when the soil is loose and moist. Larger stems can be cut or girdled, but due to high re-sprout potential, this is best done in conjunction with herbicidal application (see cut-stump method below). If no chemicals are applied, then it is suggested that repeated subsequent cuttings are completed until the rootstock energy stores are depleted.Herbicidal Control
Foliar Spray Method: It is suggested that foliar applications be 2% concentration of glyphosate or triclopyr with a 0.5% concentrate of added non-ionic surfactant. Triclopyr is the preferred choice due its greater selectivity, targeting broadleaf deciduous plants and therefore protecting nearby grasses. Be mindful, however, if you are close to water and may need to apply water-safe chemicals, such as a water safe glyphosate.Cut Stump Method: If the stem’s location would endanger preferred plants with damage by foliar spray drift, than cut-stump treatment is an alternate method of treating this plant. When the stem is cut by saw, either power or manual, follow up the cut with application of 25% concentrate of glyphosate or triclopyr in water or basal oil carrier, to the outer 20% of the cut. White Poplar can also have basal oil treatment without cutting; spray the 25% chemical mixed with 75% horticultural oil, and apply to the bottom 12 to 15 inches of trunk. Spray until it is just starting to run.