Lombardy Poplar Facts - Guide To Lombardy Poplar Care In The Landscape

How do you care for a poplar tree?

Poplar Tree Care

Poplars need fertile soil, acidic or neutral, as well as direct sun and sufficient water to keep their roots moist. One of the most important poplar tree facts is the sheer size of the tree. It rises to between 50 and 165 feet high with a trunk diameter of up to 8 feet.

How long do Lombardy poplar trees live?

Stem canker disease reduces the average life span of the Lombardy poplar to 10 or 15 years.

Why are my poplar trees leaves turning brown?

Brown leaves are often related to over-exposure to the sun, commonly known as "leaf scorch." This can be aggravated by problems such as lack of water, too much fertilizer, damage to roots, and exposure to strong wind, all of which can stress the tree and leave it vulnerable to the sun.

How much water do poplar trees need?

Daily water use for hybrid poplar can be as high as 0.55 inch per day. Average growing season water use for 3-year and older hybrid poplar is 45 or more acre-inches/acre.

Do poplar trees have deep roots?

Lateral roots grew fairly straight and ranged from 1 to 18 inches deep. This poplar tree found three uncompacted soil pockets (see three arrows) and produced roots down to about 32 inches in those pockets. These deep roots branched more and followed cracks and crevices. Deep roots often are found close to the trunk.

Are poplar trees dangerous?

Poplar wood is soft and spongy, making it prone to rotting. Not only do the branches rot, but the whole trunk may rot, leaving a hollow space. Heavy winds can topple these trees, creating a dangerous situation. The limbs are also prone to breakage during storms.

Do poplar trees fall easily?

Trees with shallow root systems that are more likely to topple include the tulip poplar, magnolias, some maples and Bradford pears according to an expert arborist. WASHINGTON — Much like it's easy for you to slip on a wet floor — tree roots can slip out of the ground when there's wet soil.

How do you prune a poplar Lombardy?

Trim out branches that are growing inward toward the center of the crown, instead of outward and away from the main trunk, by removing them at the branch crotch with pruning clippers. This will open up the crown for good air flow.

What is the lifespan of a poplar tree?

These native poplars are true poplars. They're long-lived for poplars, typically surviving 100 years and sometimes up to 150 years. These tall, straight trees are the northernmost hardwood in North America.

What fungus grows on poplar trees?

A white and brown shelf mushroom known as artist's conk, infects citrus trees as well as pine, fir, maple, elm, and poplar. A bright-red conk known as varnish fungus can kill landscape and fruit trees within three to five years. Susceptible trees include pine, fir, poplar, and willow, apple, cherry, peach, and citrus.

How do you help a dying tree?

How to Save a Dying Tree: 5 Easy Steps to Success

Identify the Problem. Before you can effectively figure out how to save a dying tree, it is important to try to determine the problem. ...
Correct Watering Issues. Moisture issues are commonly at fault when it comes to a sick tree. ...
Be Careful with Mulch. ...
Use Fertilizer Properly. ...
Prune Properly.

What is killing my poplar trees?

Canker and dieback on poplars is caused by several different fungi. ... Dark sunken cankers form where the fungus enters a tree through wounds or cracks. These cankers can disrupt water and nutrient flow and, if it spreads to more than half of the diameter of the trunk, will probably kill the tree.

How far apart should poplar trees be planted?

For the best results, space your poplar planting holes four feet apart in a single row. However, if you're planting two staggered rows of trees -- a double row offers more wind protection -- space the planting holes six feet apart with six feet between rows.

What are poplar trees good for?

Common Uses: Seldom used for its appearance, (except in the case of Rainbow Poplar), Poplar is a utility wood in nearly every sense. It's used for pallets, crates, upholstered furniture frames, paper (pulpwood), and plywood. ... Comments: Poplar is one of the most common utility hardwoods in the United States.

How can you tell a poplar tree?

Identifying Poplars

These large trees have a gnarled open form, rough bark and large, tear-shaped leaves that turn yellow in the fall. Female trees shed white fluff in the spring, hence the name.

Are poplar trees invasive?

Poplar trees ability to spread via their extensive root systems gives them some of the characteristics of an invasive species: They are fast-growing and their roots send up suckers that form new poplar trees in all directions.

What do poplar trees symbolize?

Poplars are spectacular trees with a very strong set of roots, which affords them the symbolic value of grounding, security and resiliency. They're also an independent lot, leading very little care, if any, to grow healthy and hardy.

What are the worst trees to plant?

Trees known for their rather undesirable qualities, and why you should steer clear of them.

Cottonwood. One of the trees you should avoid having in your backyard is certainly cottonwood. ...
Bradford Pear. ...
Mimosa Tree. ...
Mulberry Tree. ...
Chinese Tallow. ...
Norway Maple. ...
Eucalyptus. ...
Quaking Aspen.

How do you know when a tulip poplar is dying?

Early symptoms include discolored, wilted leaves that appear in sporadic patches on the tree. Trees often lose their leaves early and experience branch dieback. Susceptibility to verticillium wilt is a great disadvantage as there are no effective cures available.

Can you top poplar trees?

Topping is not considered a 'best practice'. Reducing canopy size is considered a better way to reduce risk. Or if the client wants a view, it may be best to just remove the whole tree and plant shrubs.

What is balsam poplar used for?

It is made into a tea and used as a wash for sprains, inflammation, muscle pains etc. Internally, the tea is used in the treatment of lung ailments and coughs. The buds can also be put in hot water and used as an inhalant to relieve congested nasal passages. The bark is cathartic and tonic.