Populus x tomentosa
Silver Chinese Poplar
Mature Size, Growth, Longevity
Average mature size of 50-75' tall and 20-35' wide. Crown conical to ovoid-globose, globose, or fastigiate form. Fast growth rate, 3-4' per year. Short-lived, deteriorates rapidly after 60-70 years.
Native Range
Chinese plains; near sea level to 1500 m. Anhui, Gansu, Hebei, Henan, Jiangsu, S Liaoning, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang.
Flower and Fruit Details
Flowers are slender, drooping catkins, up to 4" long, mid to late April before leaves emerge. Fruits are yellow-green capsules, 0.12", in drooping, catkin-like clusters, releasing white, cottony seeds in late May-mid June.
Leaf and Bark Features
Leaves are deltoid-ovate, glabrescent, dark green above, with silver-white pubescence beneath. Yellow fall color. Bark is dull gray at first, becoming grayish-green to grayish-white, later dark gray on basal part of trunk, furrowed, rough.
Culture and Care
Easily transplanted. Prefers moist soil but will tolerate dry soil. No serious disease or insect problems.
Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts
Important source of pulpwood and wood products.
Suggested Uses
Can be planted as a street tree and ornamental, also used for pulp, timber, tools, furniture, matchwood.