Tree Killers: White Poplar
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Name
- Common English name: White Poplar
- Other names: abele, silver poplar, silverleaf poplar
- Latin (scientific) name: Populus alba
History in Canada
- introduced to North America from Eurasia in the mid-1700’s as an ornamental tree and widely planted across Canada
- commonly escaped from Newfoundland to British Columbia
- still available from nurseries
Biology
- large deciduous tree that usually grows to 20 m (70 ft) with a widely-spreading crown
- belongs to the Willow family
- leaves are ‘maple-shaped’ and bright white underneath
- young twigs are covered with dense white hairs
- seeds are covered by a white cottony fluff that allows the wind-born seeds to spread widely although few germinate
- reproduction is also by root suckers which are produced in abundance
- can grow in a wide range of conditions
Impact on Trees
- forms dense stands that suppress native tree seedlings and saplings
- grows in open woodland, forest openings, and woodland edges
- hybridizes with native poplars, such as Trembling Aspen (Populus tremuloides) and Large-toothed Aspen (Populus grandidentata)
What can be done to control this tree killer?
- cutting or girdling stems followed by herbicide application to the cut stems or later removal of sprouts that develop after cutting
- herbicide application to seedlings or young saplings
- removal of as much of the root system as possible
- several years of control may be needed since stumps and roots can resprout one or more years after treatment
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