SafePlants

White Poplar (Populus alba)

The white poplar, scientifically known as Populus alba, is also commonly called abele, silver poplar, or silverleaf poplar. It is sometimes confused with the Silver Maple due to the shape of its leaves.

Considerations for Pets

• Sap/Substances: Mentions the health risks associated with wood dust, which may be a concern if ingested or inhaled by pets that chew on the tree or its branches.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Populus alba
• Common Names: White poplar, abele, silver poplar, silverleaf poplar
• Family: Salicaceae (Willow family)
• Relationship: Most closely related to the aspens (Populus sect.)

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to central and southern Europe and Eurasia.
• Naturalized in the UK and parts of North America.
• Often found along rivers and in bottomlands.

Ecological Role

• Can be invasive.
• Tends to sucker from its roots and can colonize large areas.
• Listed as an invasive species.
• Black and white poplars (Populus nigra and P. alba) are trees of ecological importance as indicator species for biodiversity of riparian woodlands.
• It is illegal to plant poplars along streets in some cities because they clog underground drainpipes and sewers.

Morphological Characteristics

• A medium-sized to tall tree, typically growing to 20-30 meters (66-99 feet) but can reach up to 30 meters (100 feet) or more.
• Fast-growing and suckering.
• Bark is smooth and greenish white on young trees, becoming gray and wrinkled with darker diamond-shaped marks as the tree ages.
• Young twigs and terminal buds are woolly.
• Leaves are alternate, simple, and often lobed, resembling maple leaves.
• Leaf size ranges from 3-9 cm long with 3-5 lobes and flattened leaf-stalks 5-6 cm long.
• Leaves are dark-green above and densely white-hairy below, giving a silver appearance.
• Flowers are catkins borne in late winter and early spring.
• Dioecious, forming staminate (male) and pistillate (female) catkins on separate trees.

Traditional and Other Uses

• Historically used as a remedy for arthritis and rheumatism.
• Wood is light and easily worked.

Quirky Facts

• The white poplar's leaves are described as having a very white woolly underside, making the tree conspicuous and giving it a silver appearance.
• The white poplar can be confused with Silver Maple due to the shape of the leaves on long shoots.

Further Information

• Encyclopedia of Life: Provides summaries and articles about the White Poplar.
• Xeeds Hone Xild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/
• Invasive Plants: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/invasive_plants