Black poplar

Willow family (Salicaceae). Naturally distributed in European Russia, from Crimea and the Caucasus to Tula, Yaroslavl, Kostroma, Vyatka, Perm. Occurs in Central Asia and Western Siberia.

A large tree, up to 30 m tall, with a massive, broad, branched crown and a cylindrical trunk, the bark of which is initially smooth and gray, later blackening and developing deep fissures. Young shoots are glossy, yellow or yellowish-gray, smooth, weakly ridged. Leaves are rhombic or triangular, with a long thin tip at the apex, dark green above and somewhat lighter beneath, margin finely blunt-toothed, fragrant.

Undemanding regarding soil conditions, it can grow on dry and comparatively poor soils. On rich and moist soils it grows very quickly. Winter-hardy and drought-tolerant. Responds well to pruning. Relatively resistant to gases and smoke. Used in traditional park and garden plantings.

Based on materials from the website www.ultradrome.narod.ru