Populus trichocarpa
Populus trichocarpa · Salicaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around populus trichocarpa and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Common name
- Western black poplar, Black cottonwood
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- Spring (catkins)
- Adult size
- 30 to 60 m in height
- Growth rate
- Very fast
- Hardiness
- Zone 2 to 8 (minimum -40 °C)
- Origin
- North Pacific Coast of North America
- Soil type
- Deep, well-drained soils, preference for moisture
Care
Watering
Black cottonwood loves moist, well-drained soils. Water young plants regularly during establishment, especially during dry periods. Once mature, the tree tolerates drought better but benefits from consistent watering in continental or arid climates.
Light exposure
Place this tree in full sun for optimal growth. It tolerates partial shade but will develop a less dense form. Avoid very shaded locations that would slow its vigor.
Soil and planting
Prepare deep, well-drained soil ideally enriched with organic matter. Black cottonwood appreciates slightly acidic to neutral soils. Avoid overly compact or permanently waterlogged terrain, although it tolerates seasonal moisture.
Pruning and maintenance
Perform formative pruning in the first years to structure the shape. Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches in winter, outside periods of heavy sap flow. Limit pruning of mature trees to the strict minimum to avoid weakening the tree.
Fertilizer
Enrich the soil at planting time with compost or well-decomposed manure. An annual application of organic matter in spring promotes vigorous growth. Balanced fertilizer can support young plants if the soil is poor.
Diseases and pests
Black cottonwood can be susceptible to certain pests (sawflies, aphids) and fungal diseases in humid conditions. Maintain good air circulation in the foliage and watch for signs of stress. Favor preventive treatments through regular forest hygiene.
Did you know?
Populus trichocarpa is one of the largest poplar species and the first tree to have its genome sequenced in 2006, revolutionizing our understanding of tree biology. Its reddish catkins, released in spring, emit a very distinctive resinous fragrance appreciated by beekeepers as a source of propolis. This giant tree grows so fast that indigenous populations of the North Pacific historically used it to create rapid natural screens and effective windbreaks.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- AspenPopulus tremula
- Goat willowSalix caprea
- Grey willowSalix cinerea
- White willowSalix alba
- Eared willowSalix aurita
- Creeping willowSalix repens
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.