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Hybrid Poplar

Populus deltoides x Populus nigra

  • Fast Growing, up to 5' to 8' per year
  • Cottonless Hybrid, Silvery-Green leaves
  • Attractive broad shade-tree
  • Grows 40' to 50' high with 30' spread
  • Zones 3 to 9
  • Can't Ship to: AK, AZ, HI
Guaranteed Healthy Delivery
Item # 1042 | Tree Size: Standard | Shipping Height: 2' - 3'
*Mem. Price:$5.49
Reg. Price:$8.50
Quantity:

Item # 4090 | Tree Size: Standard | Shipping Height: 2' - 3'
Sorry, we cannot ship potted trees to California.
*Mem. Price:$8.49
Reg. Price:$12.75
Quantity:

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Zones 3 - 9
Zones 3 - 9

Hardiness Zones: Zones 3 - 9
The Hybrid Poplar can be expected to grow in the zones shown in color in the arborday.org zone map.VIEW MAP

shade tree
shade tree

Type of tree:
The Hybrid Poplar falls into the following type(s): Shade Trees

40' - 50' High
40' - 50' High

Mature Height:
The Hybrid Poplar grows to be 40' - 50' feet in height.

30' Spread
30' Spread

Mature Spread:
The Hybrid Poplar has a spread of about 30' at full maturity.

Fast Growth
Fast Growth

Growth Rate:
This tree grows at a fast growth rate. [More about this.]

Full Sun
Full Sun

Sun:
This poplar does well in full sun.

Various Soils
Various Soils

Soil:
The Hybrid Poplar grows in acidic, alkaline, wet soils.

Oval Shape
Oval Shape

Shape:
This poplar has oval shape.

More Info
More Info

Attributes:
Hybrid Poplars are the thoroughbreds of the tree world. Their claim to fame is speed. Growth of 5 to 8 feet per year is not uncommon, which makes this tree a good choice for quick shade on a vacant lot or for suburban firewood groves.

Wildlife Value:
Hybrid Poplar bark, twigs, and leaves eaten by rodents, rabbits, deer, beaver, and porcupines. It provides forage for browsing wildlife such as whitetail and mule deer up through the sapling stage. It also provides important nesting and roosting habitat for various species of birds.

History/Lore/Use:
There are many crosses that go by the name Hybrid Poplar, but this one between Eastern Cottonwood from the United States and Black Poplar from Europe and North Africa has been a favorite for a very long time. Botanists and Hobbyists in colonial times are said to have exchanged the parent trees across the ocean, with both natural and artificial hybrids soon resulting. The oldest account of the tree was given by a scientist in 1785.

Moisture:
Wet soil preferred.

Leaves:
The leaves are triangular, 3-6 inches long and 4-5 inches wide, with "teeth" all around the margin. Often silver-green in color, but this is quite variable. Stalks are frequently reddish.

You can expect this very fast-growing tree to grow between five and eight feet annually, becoming a large shade tree with a broad, open crown, silvery green leaves, and smooth bark. Unlike other Poplars, this is a cottonless hybrid. The fast-growing Poplar can be harvested for firewood in five to seven years, making it an excellent choice for harvesting and replanting as a sustainable source of firewood. Or, plant them for fast-growing shade while your other slower-growing trees begin to mature. This tree can grow to 40'-50', with a spread of nearly 30'. (Zones 3-9)

Arborday.org Hardiness Zone Map
Spring Shipping Fall Shipping
Color Zone Approximate
Ship Dates 		Order
Deadline 		Approximate
Ship Dates 		Order
Deadline
  2 04/15–05/30 05/14 11/01–11/26 11/12
  3 04/15–05/30 05/14 11/01–11/26 11/12
  4 04/15–05/30 05/14 11/01–11/26 11/12
  5 04/15–05/30 05/14 11/01–11/26 11/12
  6 03/19–05/12 05/07 11/01–12/03 11/19
  7 03/11–05/07 04/30 11/05–12/10 11/26
  8 02/26–04/30 04/23 11/05–12/10 11/26
  9 02/26–04/30 04/23 11/05–12/10 11/26
  10 02/26–04/30 04/23 11/05–12/10 11/26
We're sorry, but this tree can't be shipped to AK, AZ, HI , territories, or countries outside the U.S. This is due to the agricultural laws within these locations.

When you order trees from The Arbor Day Foundation, your order is guaranteed to arrive in a good, healthy condition or we'll replace them at no charge. Your trees will be shipped at a suitable time for planting.

Each tree is guaranteed to grow, or we'll replace it at one half the original price, plus shipping and handling.

The benefits of bare-root trees

Our trees are delivered with natural bare roots which have been dipped in hydrating gel prior to shipment to keep the roots moist and healthy. As their abundant, fibrous roots aren't confined by a container, bare-root trees get off to a more vigorous start compared to containerized roots which typically need more time to adjust to transplanting. Bare-root trees typically surpass the size of larger containerized trees in only a few years.

  Standard Dwarf
  Mature
Height		 Space
Needed		 Mature
Height		 Space
Needed
Apple 20' - 25' 35' x 35'

10' **

 10' x 10' ++
Peach 20' 20' x 20' 8' - 10' 10' x 10'
Sweet Cherry 30' 20' x 25' 12' - 15' 10' x 10'
Sour Cherry 20' 20' x 20' 8' 10' x 10'
Pear 20' 20' x 20' 12' - 15' 12' x 12'
Apricot 20' 20' x 20'    
Plum 20' 20' x 20' 8' - 10' 10' x 10'
      ** semi-dwarf 12' - 15'
++ semi-dwarf 12' x 12'

Natural Root and Containerized Trees

Natural root (also called bare root) trees are shipped without soil around their roots. They are shipped when dormant in the spring and fall seasons. We dip the roots in a hydrating gel to keep them moist during shipping.

There are a number of advantages to natural root trees:

  • They are very affordable.
  • Their roots re-establish themselves well once they are planted in their permanent location.
  • They are easy to plant at the correct depth.

The Urban Horticulture Institute at Cornell University has an interesting article about the benefits of planting natural root trees. Look for the PDF entitled Creating the Urban Forest: The Bare Root Method

Potted (also called containerized) trees come in 4" containers.


If you have questions, please call (888) 448-7337 or E-mail Member Services.