1. Native / Non-native Status
Non-native cultivar. A fastigiate form of Black Poplar (Populus nigra), introduced to Europe from northern Italy in the 18th century. Widely planted across the UK in the 19th and 20th centuries.
2. Evergreen / Deciduous
Deciduous – leaves fall in autumn.
3. Appearance
Leaves: Triangular to diamond-shaped (5–12 cm), with a pointed tip and finely toothed margins. Glossy green in summer, turning yellow in autumn. Arranged alternately on twigs.
Bark: Grey-green and smooth on young trees, becoming deeply ridged and furrowed with age.
Flowers/Fruit/Seeds: Like other poplars, produces catkins in spring. Male catkins are reddish-purple; female catkins are green. Most planted Lombardy poplars are male clones, so fluffy seed production is rare.
Overall shape: Distinctive tall, narrow, columnar crown with strongly upright branches.
4. Typical Size
20–30 m tall; spread usually only 3–5 m due to fastigiate (upright) form.
5. Habitat & Range
Widely planted across the UK in avenues, shelterbelts, parks, and farmland boundaries. Tolerates a range of soils but prefers moist, fertile ground. Often found in rural landscapes as tall boundary markers.
6. Distinctive Features (ID tips)
Very tall, narrow, upright form (fastigiate).
Triangular glossy leaves.
Commonly planted in rows or avenues.
7. Seasonal Changes
Spring: Catkins appear before leaves.
Summer: Dense column of green foliage.
Autumn: Leaves turn yellow before falling.
Winter: Bare, tall vertical silhouette remains prominent.
8. Human Uses
Widely planted historically as windbreaks, avenues, and landscape features.
Timber used for matches, pallets, and low-grade wood products.
Sometimes pollarded for fuelwood.
9. Wildlife Value
Catkins provide early nectar and pollen for insects.
Supports some moth caterpillars.
Less wildlife value than native black poplar (Populus nigra subsp. betulifolia).
Provides nesting opportunities for birds in dense rows.
10. Fun Fact / Cultural Note
Became a fashionable landscape tree in Georgian and Victorian Britain, especially for formal avenues.
Its dramatic columnar shape made it a favourite for marking boundaries and sight lines in estates and farmland.
Most individuals are genetically identical clones derived from a single male tree.
11. Planting & Care (Basic Instructions)
Best time to plant: Late autumn or early spring.
Soil: Prefers deep, moist, fertile soils; tolerates clay, loam, or sandy soils. Avoid very dry sites.
Light: Requires full sun for best growth.
Watering: Water regularly until established; tolerates occasional drought once mature but prefers moist ground.
Spacing: 3–5 m apart for dense rows; wider spacing for individual specimens.
Aftercare: Mulch around base to retain soil moisture. Protect young trees from browsing. Monitor older trees closely – brittle branches prone to storm damage.
12. Good for Urban or Garden Setting?
Urban: Useful as a screen or shelterbelt in large spaces, but lifespan relatively short (often 50–70 years) and brittle wood is a hazard in storms.
Garden: Unsuitable for small gardens; can work in large rural gardens or estates as dramatic vertical accents or boundary markers.