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Populus alba

Populus alba

White Poplar, abele, silver poplar, silverleaf poplar

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Description

Populus alba (abele, white poplar) is native to North Africa, Central Asia, South and Central Europe. It is a pioneer species that grows in many different types of soil. The species can reach heights of up to 40 metres under ideal conditions, but usually reaches heights of up to 20 metres. The crown is irregular, wide oval and semi-open. In its natural form, the abele is a large, multi-stem tree.

In March, Populus alba blooms silver-white catkins on bare wood. The female catkins form capsules that open in the summer and then disperse a plenitude of cotton-like seeds. The leaves bud early, with felty white hair on both sides, which disappears on top later on in the season, making them a glossy dark green. The leaves are palmate lobate on long shoots and elliptical and dentate on short shoots. Its autumn colour is a deep golden yellow. The most characteristic property of abeles is their grey-white bark, with large diamond-shaped lenticels that look like eyes.

The abele is strong, takes to soil easily, grows quickly, and tolerates salt spray, (coastal) winds and partial shade. Dry sand soil is not a problem, which is why the tree is even planted in dunes. Populus alba is an important tree for the landscape, as a property boundary in windy areas, on the coast, as avenue plants along roads and canals, and in forests. The species suffers somewhat from branches breaking and grows many root shots and root shoots.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees multi-stemmed trees woodland planting stock

Topiary on stem

fval pollard

Use

Location

avenue park large garden traffic areas, industrial zones countryside windbreak bioswale coastal area

Pavement

none none

Planting concepts

landscape planting solid planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

wide egg-shaped wide egg-shaped

Crown structure

semi-open semi-open

Height

15 - 20 m

Width

15 - 20 m

Winter hardiness zone

3A - 9B

Aspects

Wind

tolerant to wind tolerant to coastal wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay light clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

low in nutrients moderately rich in nutrients rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

dry moist

Light requirements

sun partial shade

pH range

acidic neutral

Host plant/forage plant

butterflies

Extreme environments

tolerant to salt spray tolerates air pollution

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Visit our nurseries with multi-stem trees, climbing trees, trees for avenues and parks characteristic trees and solitary shrubs.

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Order this plant? Or would you like further information about Populus alba? Make an appointment for a detailed planting recommendation.
Call +31(0) 485 31 20 21 or email one of our advisors directly.
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Photos

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high-stem standard tree
Populus alba standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Populus alba standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Populus alba standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Populus alba standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Populus alba standard tree
multi-stem multi-stem
Populus alba multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Populus alba multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Populus alba multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Populus alba multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Populus alba multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Populus alba multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Populus alba multi-stem
flowers flowers
Populus alba flowers
flowers flowers
Populus alba flowers
flowers flowers
Populus alba flowers
leaves leaves
Populus alba leaves
leaves leaves
Populus alba leaves
leaves leaves
Populus alba leaves
leaves leaves
Populus alba leaves
leaves leaves
Populus alba leaves
leaves leaves
Populus alba leaves
leaves leaves
Populus alba leaves
bark bark
Populus alba bark
bark bark
Populus alba bark
bark bark
Populus alba bark
bark bark
Populus alba bark
twigs twigs
Populus alba twigs

Seasonal colours

Populus alba seizoenskleur
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Flowers

Flowers

catkins pendulous

Flower colour

white-pink silver

Flowering period

March - April

Leaves

Leaf colour

silvery white emerging leaves dark green underside felty white underside white-grey

Leaves

deciduous ovoid palmate polished underside hairy dentate lobate

Autumn colour

golden yellow

Fruits

Fruit colour

white green grey

Fruits

striking rich fruit yield pappuses capsules

Bark

Bark colour

white grey pale grey

Bark

smooth, later on rough

Twigs

Twig colour

grey

Twigs

hairy

Root system

Root system

shallow extensive root suckers

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Geographic location
Winter hardiness zone
OK
Coastal area
OK
Use
Location
OK
Pavement
OK
Host plant/forage plant
OK
Planting concepts
OK
Types of planting
Tree types
OK
Multi-stemmed trees
OK
Crown structure
OK
Crown shape
OK
Topiary on stem
OK
Topiary
OK
Height
m
-
m
OK
Width
m
-
m
OK
Aspects
Wind
OK
Soil
OK
Nutrient level
OK
Soil moisture level
OK
Light requirements
OK
PH range
OK
Extreme environments
OK
Stage of succession
OK
Plant characteristics
Flowering period
January
-
December
OK
Flower colour
OK
Leaf colour
OK
Autumn colour
OK
Fruit colour
OK
Bark colour
OK
Special features
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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

Winter hardiness map
Planet Proof
MVO-Nederland
ISO-9001
ISO-14001
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British Asssociation of Landscape Industries

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F +31 (0)485 31 38 88
E info@ebben.nl

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