Black poplar

A very common tree, the black poplar can reach heights of 25 to 35 m. The black poplar is a superb and elegant cousin of the white poplar.

Populus nigra. © Matt Lavin, Flickr CC by nc-sa 3.0

The black poplar (Populus nigra), is a member of the Salicaceae family.

The crown of this species has almost horizontal branches, with the ends divided into delicate twigs, the whole being quite rounded. Its bark is greenish brown and cracks with age. Its deciduous leaves, are green and turn yellow in autumn, are dentate, oval and triangular, and end in a point.The axil has a long pointed petiole with chestnut coloured buds. Its flowers are reddish or silvery white hanging catkins and appear in March - April.

Black poplar. © Manuel M Ramos, Flickr CC by nc-sa 2.0

This tree, originally from Asia Minor, appeared in France in 1745, coming from Italy.

Like most poplars, this tree likes deep soil with plenty of water. Very demanding in terms of light, it is not found in dense settlements, but rather in small clumps.

Resistant to pollution, the black poplar is planted along roads. Its buds are used for medicinal purposes to treat rheumatism and gout. They are used to make a wine that is an excellent cough remedy.

Author: Michel Caron