Wild black poplar

The black poplar is a rare tree and is threatened by its cultivated relations! There are so few wild black poplars left that it is unlikely that they will pollinate each other, instead the large numbers of cultivated trees will pollinate them. This means that there are hardly ever any new truly wild black poplars.

What other names does it have?

Can also be known as	Downy black poplar Willow poplar Cotton tree Water poplar
Generic name	Poplar
Latin name	Populus nigra subsp. betulifolia
Family name	Willow
Latin family name	Saliceceae

What type of tree is it?

Is it a broadleaf or conifer?	It is a broadleaf
Does it lose its leaves in autumn?	Yes, it is deciduous

Species description:

Average height	20-25m

Leaf

Description	Long-tipped and small with a mild balsam scent. The young leaves have fine, tiny hairs that they shed by autumn
Shape	Heart/Triangular
Size	7cm
Colour	Dark green
Leaf bud	Long, orange buds
Leaf stalk	Long stalk
Leaf arrangement	Alternate

Flower, seed, and fruit

Type of flower	Catkin
Flowering season	Mid-spring
Fruit colour	White and fluffy
Fruit season	May
Type of seed body	Catkin
Seeds dispersed by	Wind

Bark and twig

Bark description	Dark brown but often appearing black due to the deep craggy fissures and burrs
Twig Description	Knobbly and amber in colour

What other trees are similar?

Can easily be confused with?	All the cultivated hybrid black poplars including the lombardy and railway poplars

Where is it usually found?

Is it native or non-native to the British Isles?	Native
Where is its natural range?	England and Wales, tenuously so in North England
Preferred soil type or environmental conditions?	Wet areas along the margins of rivers
What is its British conservation status?	Occasional

Additional information

Human uses of tree and timber

Traditionally the timber has many uses because it is light but tough, absorbs shock and resists splintering. Uses include wooden shields, the bottom of carts, floors of oast houses (as it is resistant to fire), matches and baskets. More recently it is being used for artificial limbs, packing cases, (wine bottles) pallets, shelving and toys. In the future it may be used for energy (electricity) production because it is fast growing and will produce large quantities timber quickly

Tree lore and folklore

Black poplar was once a very distinctive part of the countryside. As such it is odd there is so little folklore associated with it. According to Greek mythology, the black poplar was created after Phaeton’s fatal attempt to drive Apollo’s chariot. Phaeton’s sisters made such a nuisance of themselves mourning his death that the gods decided to change them into black poplars. It is also said that the bright red fallen catkins are called Devil's fingers and bring bad luck if picked up More locally some individual trees have links to folklore. At Aston-on-Clun, a black poplar is known as the Arbor Tree and traditional ceremonies take place there every year.

Wild black poplar

Leaves - finely downy

Poplar twig

Poplar bark

Illustrations supplied by
Collins

BritishTrees