Populus alba
white poplar
P. alba is a spreading, deciduous tree with a broad crown, suckering freely. Rounded leaves are deeply-lobed, dark green on top and white and downy underneath. Young shoots and leaves are completely white and hairy; yellow autumn colour. In spring, male catkins are red and female, green
Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
Wider than 8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Grey Silver | Green White | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green White | |||
| Autumn | Yellow | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Salicaceae
- Native to the UK
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Genus
Populus are deciduous trees, mostly very fast-growing and large, with male and female catkins on separate trees, opening before the leaves. Male catkins are the more ornamental, female ones can be a nuisance from the cottony, wind-blown seeds
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Europe to C Asia
How to grow
Cultivation
Cultivated for their very rapid growth as specimen trees and useful for windbreaks. Tolerant of any soil other than constantly waterlogged soils. Avoid growing within 40m of buildings as the vigorous root systems may damage drains and foundations, particularly on clay soils. It has the potential to become a nuisance
Propagation
Propagate from hardwood cuttings in winter or suckers in autumn or late winter
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Wildlife gardens
- Low Maintenance
- Hedging and screens
Pruning
Pruning group 1 in late summer to avoid bleeding from pruning cuts but established trees need little pruning; sucker removal in autumn or winter
Pests
May be susceptible to leaf beetles, sawflies and caterpillars
Diseases
May be susceptible to leaf spots, poplar bacterial canker, tree rusts and honey fungus
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.