Fragrant poplar

Family Salicaceae. Naturally distributed in Eastern Siberia, Mongolia, Northern China.

Tree up to 20 m tall, with a dense ovate crown and yellowish-light-gray bark. Buds very resinous, aromatic. Young shoots rounded, greenish-brown, very resinous, fragrant. Leaves leathery, oval, short-pointed at the apex, thick, 10 x 6 cm, dark green, shiny above and whitish beneath, with hairy petioles. Blooms at the same time as the leaves unfold. Male catkins up to 10 cm long, female 4-7 cm.

In youth it grows very quickly, sun-loving. It is notable for high winter hardiness, but in urban conditions it is not long-lived. Produces abundant root suckers. The pyramidal form (f. pyramidalis) deserves attention - with ascending branches forming a narrowly ovate crown.

Thanks to its exceptional frost hardiness it is highly valued for green construction in northern regions. The aromatic substances released by the leaves fill the air with a pleasant scent and disinfect it. Used in solitary and group plantings in gardens and parks, for lining roads and water bodies.

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