Black Poplar (Populus nigra)

Black Poplar (Populus nigra, subspecies betulifolia)

Don't confuse the Black Poplar with poplar hybrids or the European subspecies. Richard Mabey, in his Flora Britannica, estimated there are only 4-6,000 of these long living trees left in the country, largely as a consequence of land reclamation and drainage an hybridisation. That's probably on the low side; more scientific recent analysis suggests around 7,000. Drainage schemes and the introduction of faster growing hybrids mean that Black poplars are now very rare indeed, with our remaining natural population centred around Aylesbury Vale (where the growers who we source them from is). In Sussex there are said to be only 33 left, for example. There are so few in the countryside now that the only naturally occurring new plants are hybrids from other poplar species.

Populus nigra are very fast growing landmark trees that need the wet. The Black poplar (why "black" no-one knows) has an invasive root system, but its spreading habit means it typically leans over if left unpollarded. These trees are big all round - they'er our tallest native species too. They not only need damp conditions to regenerate, but male and female trees also need to be close to each other. Male Black Poplars have red catkins in Spring, known in some parts as "Devil's fingers", whereas the female flowers are yellow-green. They're wind pollinated, but foodplants to several moths.

Uses

Black poplars were much prized in the 17th and 18th centuries for their wood, which is fire resistant and was used around fireplaces. Its open grain meant it could absorb paraffin wax and so its was used for matches, while its springiness and tendency not to splinter also meant Black Poplar wood was used for cartmaking. Unlike many poplar hybrids it's relatively slow growing, so in recent times has fallen out of favour as a tree grown for wood production. 

Plants For Sale

We offer Black Poplars in two sizes.

40-60cm plants in pots (photo above), in combinations of 3 plants of different sexes.If you do not plant your Black Poplar plants on receipt, they should be unwrapped, soaked in cold water for 10-15 minutes and left in their pots.

60-80cm root balled plants of different sexes in pairs. Please plant on receipt.

Planting

Black poplars are said to cross pollinate up to 500m apart, but for best results we recommend a distance of 50m - 200m between plants. As they're wind pollinated, if you're planting male and female trees, plant males upwind of females. This should make for more effective distribution of the pollen from the males (in theory, at least!). Plant at least 40m from foundations - they have extensive root systems!

Supplier : Lindengate

Prices include VAT and delivery to mainland UK

Have a look at our videos on what to do when your plants arrive and how to plant a bare root tree. Please ask about larger trees; we can often supply them but will need to quote on an individual basis as carriage varies so much.