Types of poplars

The poplar is a robust tree, of noble wood and very resistant. It is very common to find it on the sides of the roads or to separate large areas of land because its flexibility allows the winds to stop.

This deciduous tree can reach 35 meters in height and several species and varieties are distinguished, so today we will dedicate ourselves to knowing some.

European species

Within what are the European species there are two large groups, those with gray and smooth bark, and those with dark and furrowed bark. Within the latter is the black poplar, while in the first group are the white poplar (with a thick and smooth trunk), the gray poplar (similar to the previous one but with more vertical branches) and the aspen (a variety of growth very fast reaching 20 meters in height.

White poplar ( Populus alba )

The white poplar, also known as common poplar or white poplar, is a deciduous tree that reaches a height of up to 30 meters. The bark of its trunk is whitish, smooth, and fissured. Its leaves are simple, oval or webbed, tomentose on both sides.

Black poplar ( Populus nigra )

The black poplar, also known as black poplar or poplar, is a deciduous tree that reaches a height of 20 to 30 meters. Its trunk has cracked, gray bark. The leaves are green on both sides, and ovate-triangular or ovate-rhombic.

Aspen ( Populus tremula )

The aspen, also known as the quaking poplar or lamppost, is a deciduous tree that reaches a height of 10 to 15 meters. The bark is greenish-gray in color, and fissured in the old specimens. The leaves are rounded, green on both sides.

American species

Then there is a second group of poplars that are those of American origin but that are cultivated in Europe. This is the case of the caroline poplar, also known as American poplar, which has a dark gray trunk and green branches that turn gray over the years. Another specimen is the Canadian black poplar, which is a cross between the black poplar and the American poplar.

Among the American species, there are the balsamic species such as that of Canada or California, which are distinguished by being rich in resins, a product that is used by the industry. It is found in the buds and the leaves of these trees are characterized by their white underside.

Carolino poplar ( Populus deltoides )

Image – Flickr/ Matt Lavin

The caroline poplar, also known as the North American black poplar, is a deciduous tree that reaches a height of 20-25 meters. The leaves are heart-shaped, green on both sides but the underside is paler.

Black poplar or Canadian poplar ( Populus x canadensis )

Image – Wikimedia/ WeeJeeVee

The Canadian black poplar, also known as poplar or Canadian poplar, is a deciduous tree hybrid of Populus nigra and Populus deltoides. It reaches a height of 20 meters, with a trunk whose bark is light gray. Its leaves are green and large.

Poplar or California Poplar ( Populus trichocarpa )

Image – Wikimedia/ Daniel Mayer (mav)

The California poplar, also known as the California poplar or western poplar, is a deciduous tree that reaches a height of 30 to 50 meters, with a trunk whose bark is gray. The leaves are large, green on both sides but lighter on the underside.

Asian species

Finally, there are the poplars originating in Asia, such as the Japanese poplar, Chinese poplar or the Yunnan poplar. The first two are found in the mountains of China, Korea and Japan and have a wide crown, while Yunnan grows in the homonymous region, southwest of China, in a mountainous area located about 1,300 meters above sea level. It has a thick trunk, reddish branches and leaves of up to 15 cm. long.

Japanese Poplar ( Populus maximowiczii )

The Japanese poplar, also known as Asian poplar, deldoronoki and poplar maximowicz, is a deciduous tree that reaches 30 meters in height. Its leaves are leathery, light green on the upper side and greyish-white on the underside.

Chinese poplar ( Populus simonii )

The Chinese poplar is a deciduous tree that reaches a height of 15 meters, with a trunk whose bark is smooth and whitish. Its leaves are ovate-rhomboid or elliptical-rhomboid, with a dark green upper surface and a lighter underside.