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Populus trichocarpa

Populus trichocarpa

Black cottonwood, western balsam-poplar, California poplar

Description

Populus trichocarpa (Western balsam poplar, black cottonwood, California poplar) was discovered in the western part of North America in 1892. This is the fastest growing and largest balsam poplar, which in cultivation can reach heights of 30 metres, and in its natural habitat it can even reach heights of 60 metres. Its upright branches grow in wreaths and together, they form an irregular, wide oval to round open crown with a width of up to 15 metres. This western balsam poplar naturally grows on the banks of rivers and streams. It is a real pioneer species that colonises flooded surfaces.

The leaves of Populus trichocarpa are large, leather-like and dark green and have a ciliate edge. The undersides of the leaves are white, with a very defined orange grain. The budding leaves emit a strong balsam fragrance which can be smelled from 100 metres away. They turn a brilliant yellow in autumn. Male trees bloom red catkins and female trees bloom smaller, green catkins in March. The capsules of female trees disperse cotton-like seeds in May.

The western balsam poplar does not tolerate shade and solves this problem by growing so fast that other trees cannot cast a shadow. The species grows best in nutrient-rich, moist and airy types of soil. Winter floods are not a problem, but this cannot happen during the growth season. It does not tolerate wind well at all. Populus trichocarpa is sometimes planted in forests for its log production and as a curiosity in sheltered locations in parks.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees multi-stemmed trees woodland planting stock

Use

Location

park large garden countryside

Pavement

none none

Planting concepts

landscape planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

rounded rounded wide oval wide oval

Crown structure

semi-open semi-open

Height

25 - 30 m

Width

10 - 15 m

Winter hardiness zone

5A - 8B

Aspects

Wind

intolerant to wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay heavy clay light clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

moist wet

Light requirements

sun

pH range

acidic neutral

Extreme environments

tolerant to short-term flooding

Get to know Ebben Nurseries

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

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Place order or further information?

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

Photos

Magnify

Flowers

Flowers

catkins discrete pendulous

Flower colour

red green

Flowering period

March

Leaves

Leaf colour

dark green buds bright green underside white-grey

Leaves

deciduous ovate deltoid big leathery scented serrate

Autumn colour

yellow

Fruits

Fruit colour

white

Fruits

striking rich fruit yield pappuses capsules

Bark

Bark colour

yellow-green grey-green

Bark

peeling smooth, later on rough

Twigs

Twig colour

grey-green

Twigs

bare with lenticels pendulous long shoots

Root system

Root system

shallow extensive highly branched root suckers roots push up surface

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
OK
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