Populus nigra ssp. betulifolia

Black-poplar

Physical Traits & Growth

Typical max. heightiMaximum height in typical conditions, in metres. Full data also shows maximum achievable height in exceptional conditions.:
40m 1
30m 3
32m 5
35m 6
38m 7

Max. canopy widthiLikely maximum horizontal width of the canopy, in metres:
Ovoid to irregular crown 1
At least 8m 2
Spreading, domed crown 3

Size of shadowiSize of shadow based on a fully grown tree, categorised as low, medium or high: High (358 sqm)

Canopy densityiShading intensity of the canopy when in full leaf. Categorised from open to dense.: Moderately dense 1

Leaf emergenceiTime of leaf emergence, categorised as very early, early, late, or evergreen: Early (Apr to Nov 1)

Growth rateiHow quickly the tree grows during establishment. Categorised as low, moderate or high, with very high used in exceptional cases.: High 13

LongevityiExpected lifespan of the tree: 200-300+ years 28

Management & Systems

Typical systemsiCommon agroforestry or silvicultural systems where this species is used:
Lowland 2
Arable and pasture systems 5

Approach to silvicultureiCoppicing and pollarding ability: Can be coppiced 1 and pollarded 5

Establishment requirementsiCommon requirements to establish the tree:
Fast growing and establishes rapidly 235
Requires protection from herbivory 3

Management requirementsiCommon long-term management needs such as pruning. Categorised as low, moderate or high.:
Minimal or no pruning, should be undertaken in summer 1
Sucker removal in autumn or winter 1
Regular pruning for timber 3

Pruning timeiOptimal season for pruning: Winter (mid) 1

Black-poplar, Reading, UK / Tom Staton / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

Products & Economy

Food productsiCommon food products such as fruits and nuts: –

Wood productsiCommon wood products, including timber, turnery, and pulp:
Timber 1, low quality, various products 5
Max YC 16 4

BiomassiCommon biomass products such as fuelwood: Charcoal 5

Speciality productsiOther speciality and niche products: –

Time until market (food)iNumber of years until the tree produces food products: –

Time until market (timber)iNumber of years until the tree produces wood products: 6-20 years 8

Ecology & Utility

Nutrient and organic matter accumulationiRough estimate of soil-improving properties, with larger and deeper-rooting trees predicted to have higher value. Categorised as low, moderate or high.: High – likely moderate to high root depth and large canopy area

Nitrogen fixationiNitrogen-fixing properties, categorised as yes or no: No

High carbon sequestrationiAll trees sequester carbon, but faster-growing, larger trees generally have higher sequestration potential.:
Short-term (20 years): Very High
Medium-term (40 years): Very high
Long-term (60 years): Very high

Native status in the UKiCategorised as native, long-established, or recent introduction.: Native 1

High wildlife valueiMost trees are likely to be of some value to wildlife, but some trees are of generally higher value to various wildlife groups:
Relatively low 5, but of high value in its own right as an endangered native tree
Highest value for foliage invertebrates 5

Other environmental impactsiOther impacts such as water consumption and nutrient leaching:
High water consumption in wet conditions 1
High potential to reduce nutrient leaching 5

Pollinators

Flowering period (pollinator benefit)iTypical flowering months: Mar-Apr 1

High pollen and nectar value for pollinatorsiValue of flowers to pollinators: Low 1

Susceptibility & Risks

Risk of toxicity to livestockiReported potential toxicity to livestock, categorised as yes or no. Toxicity is complex and often context-specific.: None known

Risks to farming operationsiOther risks such as suckering roots, very large tree size, secondary host for aphids, and flammability:
Vigorous, suckering roots 127
Some cultivars are overwintering hosts of aphids of lettuce, carrots and celery 4

Disease susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to diseases, e.g. fungal and bacterial disease:
Moderate
Prone to a variety of fungal diseases including cankers, leaf rusts and poplar scab 3
May be susceptible to leaf spots, poplar bacterial canker, tree rusts and honey fungus 6

Invertebrate pest susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to invertebrate pests, e.g. aphids and other insects:
Moderate
Hosts are a large number of insect species, but few are of significance 9
May be susceptible to leaf beetles, sawflies, caterpillars 6

Vertebrate damage susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to vertebrate pests, e.g. squirrels and deer:
High
High sensitivity to browsing 7