Lombardy Poplar Facts: Guide To Lombardy Poplar Care In The Landscape and Where is the best place to plant a poplar tree?
Populus nigra ‘Italica’, or lombardy poplars, are the superstars of the home garden because they grow quickly and pass away young. Many homeowners choose them in the moment of need for a temporary privacy screen, only to later regret their choice. There are a lot of benefits associated with Lombardy poplar trees, but there are also a lot of drawbacks. Continue reading to learn more about Lombardy poplars in landscapes.
A Lombardy Poplar: What Is It?
A Lombardy poplar: what is it? This type of poplar has a columnar shape and is tall and slender. Plant hardiness zones 3 through 9a of the US Department of Agriculture are suitable for its growth. Poplar trees (Lombardy) grow quickly. At maturity, they could reach a height of up to 60 feet (18 meters), with a spread of about 12 feet (4 meters). However, large specimens are difficult to find, as canker disease kills most within 15 years. The facts about Lombardy poplar trees indicate that they are deciduous. Their leaves are shaped like diamonds and turn from a vivid green to a fiery golden yellow before dropping. In the spring, lombardy poplars grow tiny flowers in landscapes. These, however, are subtle and do not turn these trees into ornamentals. Young trees are also called black poplars because their gray-green bark eventually turns black and furrowed.
Poplar Lombardy Care
If you choose to cultivate Lombardy poplar trees, make sure they are placed in a full-sun location. Although they can tolerate either acidic or alkaline soil, trees also require well-drained soil. Part of caring for a Lombardy poplar involves pruning back the many suckers. These can be seen both close to and far from the tree bases. It is deemed invasive to have roots.
Pros and Cons of Lombardy Poplar
Lombardy poplars have drawbacks despite their rapid growth and eye-catching fall color display. The main drawback is the tree’s vulnerability to pests and illnesses. Stem canker disease is very common in lombardy poplar. This disease is nearly impossible to treat or prevent. The Lombardy poplar’s average lifespan is shortened to 10 or 15 years due to stem canker disease. Removing and burning diseased branches is the only thing you can do to help fight the illness. In landscape settings, lombardy poplars are prone to various diseases. Among them are diseases of the foliage, like powdery mildew, rusts, and leaf spots.
Additionally, they attract pests like the following:
- CATerpillar Inc.
- Aphids
- Beetles of willow
- Uninteresting People
- Measurement
Consider “fastigiate” cultivars of species such as Leyland cypress, Armstrong maple, and European hornbeam if you’re looking for columnar, narrow-crowned trees.
