Black poplar
Populus nigra

Family: Salicaceae

What it is like

A large tree. It grows 30 m high and spreads 18 m wide. It has a round crown and a thick straight trunk. The bark is grey and knotted and gnarled. The leaves are triangle shaped. They are 4-7.5 cm long and wide. They have a long point at the tip. They are wavy and have teeth along the edge. They are green above and paler underneath. They turn yellow in autumn. The leaf stalks are slender and flattened and 2.5-5 cm long. The flowers are catkins 5 cm long. They are narrow and droop.

Where it is found

It grows in moist soil in temperate regions. In Pakistan it grows up to 4,000 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 2-10. Tasmania Herbarium. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Austria, Balkans, Belgium, Bolivia, Britain, Bulgaria, Canary Is., Caucasus, China, Crete, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Europe, France, Germany, Greece, Haiti, Himalayas, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Korea, Lebanon, Libya, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Netherlands, North Africa, North America, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, SE Asia, Siberia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Syria, Switzerland, Tasmania, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, USA, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Bark

How it is grown

It is grown from cuttings or root sprouts.

They grow rapidly but are short lived.

Its other names

Local names

črni topol, Lombardy poplar, Safeda, Theves poplar

Synonyms

Aigiros nigra (L.) Nieuwl.;