Populus trichocarpa (18/05/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun
Soil: Moist well drained soil
Flowering period: Spring
Eventual Height: 30m
Eventual Spread: 20m
Hardiness: 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Family: Salicaceae
Populus trichocarpa is a deciduous tree with a dense conical habit. Its leaves are dark green on the upper surface and light gray on the lower, elliptic with an acute tip and mildly sinuate margins, up to 20cm long and 8cm broad. Its foliage is fragrant in spring. It bark is grey/ brown and becomes deeply fissured with age. Its trunk may achieve a diameter of up to 2m. Its flowers are dioecious and wind pollinated and appear in the form of catkins. Its fruit are green capsules. These contain small seeds which have fine hairs which aids their wind dispersal. Its roots are extensive and aggressive and may produce suckers.
Populus trichocarpa Leaf (18/05/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Populus trichocarpa, commonly known as the Black Cottonwool or Western Balsam Poplar or California Poplar, is native to western North America. In its native habitat it grows as part of a forest ecosystem.
The etymological root of the binomial name Populus is derived from its ancient Latin name, arbor-populi meaning ‘tree of the people’. Trichocarpa is from the Greek trichos meaning ‘hair’ and karpos meaning ‘fruit’.
The landscape architect may find Populus trichocarpa useful as a large parkland tree. Care should be taken when locating this trees as its roots may damage buildings or drainage systems.
Ecologically, Populus trichocarpa is attractive to numerous insects.
Populus trichocarpa Bark (18/05/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Populus trichocarpa prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
Populus trichocarpa requires little maintenance.