Populus adenopoda (18/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to light shade
Soil: Moist well drained soil
Flowering period: Spring
Eventual Height: 30m
Eventual Spread: 20m
Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a
Family: Salicaceae
Populus adenopoda is a fast growing deciduous tree with a spreading habit. Its dark green glossy leaves are ovate with mildly serrate margins, up to 15cm long and 7cm broad. It bark is light gray becoming fissured with age. Its flowers are dioecious and wind pollinated. Its male catkins are up to 10cm long and the female are up to 20cm long. Its fruit are green capsules and up to 6mm long. These contain small seeds which have fine hairs which aids their wind dispersal. The roots of this tree may sucker if damaged.
Populus adenopoda, commonly known as the Chinese Aspen, is native to east China. In its native habitat it grows in mountain forests.
Populus adenopoda Leaf (18/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
The etymological root of the binomial name Populus is derived from its ancient Latin name, arbor-populi meaning ‘tree of the people’. Adenopoda is derived from the Greek aden meaning ‘gland’ and podos meaning ‘foot’, in reference to glands at the base of its leaves.
The landscape architect may find Populus adenopoda useful as a fast growing tree with attractive leaves.
Ecologically, Populus adenopoda is attractive to some insects and birds.
Populus adenopoda Bark (18/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Populus adenopoda prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will tolerate both dry and moist soils
Populus adenopoda requires little maintenance.
