Our range of Black Poplar trees (Populus nigra betulifolia)

We have Black Poplar bare root trees in several sizes.  The 1+0 specification are seedlings (often called whips) which were grown from cuttings taken from mother plants in our stock beds, planted out in the spring and sold during the following November to April months ie they are one year old from when the cuttings were taken (though the mother plants are mature) and we normally have them in several heights.

Black Poplar Summary

Black Poplar is the statuesque tree seen in Constable's Hay Wain. Once common but now a relatively rare tree in the landscape (the most endangered native tree in Britain) which is a shame because Black Poplars are statuesque, long living trees with attractive timber (almost white) and good wildlife value.   They are important hosts for a multitude of insects which in turn attract a range of birds including flycatchers and warblers as well as woodpeckers.

They were once grown for timber and the wood is fire resistant and springy so the timber was often made into floorboards and cartwheels, but both of those are not in demand nowadays, so Black Poplars are now grown for their appearance and suitability to wet habitats.

It is often hybridised with other poplar species and hybrids, making pure black poplars the rarity that they are (possibly only 7000 mature trees in the UK with possibly only 600 female trees from which cutting material can be taken (these trees are grown from cuttings rather than seed) but with the increase in tree planting on flood plains, we are seeing increased demand for these lovely and useful trees. They have a fuller silhouettte than the fast growing American Poplar that we have become accustomed to in our landscape.

Soil and Situation

Black Poplars are often found in wet habitats - boggy soils, flood plains and along river banks.  They are still farily commonly found in Cheshire, Shropshire, Somerset, Cambridgeshire and East Anglia though many more of the Black Poplar trees in the landscape are male (with red catkins).  It is very rare elsewhere in the UK, but found throughout mainland Europe, into north Africa, and as far east as China.  These trees cannot tolerate dry conditions.

Leaves, flowers and fruit

Black Poplar is easily identified by a light scent of balsam on the leaves which are shiny, heart shaped with elongated tips and in spring somewhat hairy (the hairs are shed later in the summer).  The stems have knobbly knuckles along the length - very distinctive. Catkins are found - male are red and female are yellow/green and are wind pollinated and develop into very fluffy clusters of seeds. The male red catkins were sometimes called "Devil's fingers" and it was thought to be bad luck to pick them up.  They are leafy trees with heavy, outward-arching main branches.

The bark is deeply furrowed and gnarly.

Eventual height and growth rate

Black Poplar trees will grow to about 30m so are considered a large tree.

This tree is from the Salicaceae family.