The poplar tree , besides being beautiful, is characterized by its ability to withstand all four seasons, needing them all to thrive. It has a variety of uses, from strategic windbreaks and ornamental purposes to medicinal applications. Discover its characteristics, types, and much more here.
poplar tree
The poplar tree is a prominent type of tree , very sturdy, with excellent and valuable wood, whose virtues include being highly solid, compact, and consistent. In this sense, it is frequently seen along the sides of railway tracks, as well as serving the purpose of creating boundaries between areas.
This is also identified with the name "poplar", its scientific name being "Populus Alba". On the other hand, it is a member of the “Populus” genus, which includes 40 kinds of trees from northern temperate and cold areas. His family is the "Salicaceae", which make up deciduous and dioecious trees or shrubs.
Remembering that "deciduous" means that the tree has a deciduous leaf and that it falls from the branch at the beginning of the season that is unfavorable for it. Meanwhile, "dioecious" means that it has both male and female flowers, differentiated in color and characteristics.
The poplar tree is unique in that it can reach heights of up to 35 meters and is remarkably leafy. From an ornamental standpoint, it is quite striking, especially in autumn when its leaves turn a beautiful golden hue before falling.
Among the virtues of this great tree is that of having properties in the field of natural medicine. Of which, the record indicates that the indigenous took part of the bark, to later use it as an ointment, as well as syrup. Due to its attributes, the beliefs allowed it to be placed in a place of honor in the different rituals or ceremonies.
Poplar Tree Taxonomy
The poplar tree has a taxonomy specified by the Swedish scientist Carl Linnaeus, a renowned naturalist, botanist, and zoologist. He presented it in 1753 in his book "Species Plantarum," establishing that the poplar tree, scientifically known as "Populus alba," comprises 335 species, native to the territories mentioned below. The following additional data is also available:
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Magnoliopsida
- Order: Malpighiales
- Family: Salicaceae
- Genre: populace
Origin and habitat of the poplar tree
Poplar trees are native to Asia, Europe, and North Africa. They undergo their normal evolution, development, and growth in the following locations:
- Central Asia
- Iberian Peninsula (in all its extension)
- North of Africa
- South and Central Europe
Likewise, its great development and growth in the temperate heights belonging to the continent of South America is appreciated.
Symbology of the poplar tree
The imposing and magnificent poplar tree has been used throughout history in various cultural traditions, primarily for its health-related properties, through the use of ointments and syrups, as well as for its mystical significance.
Likewise, benefits are attributed to it, to give protection by warding off evil spirits. Along with this, there is the belief that it gives protection against theft, which is what initially provides the emergence of anti-theft magic or sorcery. Getting to have great development of it especially in Japan.
Another singularity of the poplar tree is to integrate legends, in which life is represented by its green leafy leaves and death when they fall. At the same time, the American Indians considered it to contain the most powerful spirits within it.
Characteristics of the poplar tree
Among the predominant characteristics of the poplar tree are the following:
- Its growth is quite fast.
- The wood offered by its trunk is of recognized quality. Having attributes of being highly resistant, very durable and with remarkable fibrous capacity. What makes it listed in the middle of the industry related to wood.
- It is capable of developing heights that range from 35 meters, making it perfect to be planted in areas that require controlling the action of the wind.
- The diameter of its trunk can easily reach 100 centimeters.
- It develops a whitish coating on its bark, being dark at the base, which is what shows the age of the branches.
- Its branches have the right and ideal flexibility, which does not allow it to break, with growth horizontally and inclined, with a downward direction.
- The trunk is robust, solid, thin and erect.
- The leaves of the branches have a jagged appearance on the edges, with a very bright and vivid coloration.
- Its flowers develop in groups and they hang down.
- The bark of the trunk of the poplar tree has the peculiarity of cracking over time, which makes it possible to appreciate various really attractive shades.
- The fruits are capsules in which there is a seed internally, with flowering in the first quarter of the year, specifically in the months of February and March.
- Medicinal properties have been attributed to it since ancient times.
- The main roots of the poplar tree are distinguished by their peculiar way of protruding from the ground.
- The crown is wide, leafy, generally irregular, with a mixture of deciduous leaves.
- Its flowering takes place before new leaves are born. Being also considered dioecious, that is, with male and female flowers.
Poplar Tree Uses
The main uses of the poplar tree include the following:
- Its special majesty and beauty makes it be preferred in the ornamental category.
- The high height that it develops, together with the leafiness of its branches provided with leaves, makes it ideal for controlling the incidence of the wind.
- Due to its resistance, it is used to carry out packaging that requires complete protection.
- Its cellulose pulp is highly valued for the manufacture of paper in its various presentations.
- As it has a cellulose with a high presence of special sugars, it is widely used for the manufacture of ethanol. As well as, for biofuels, which is less polluting than fossil fuel. Being generated from a procedure with the vegetable organic matter of the tree.
- Its foliage allows it to provide shade to the areas where it is planted.
- Provides a Wood which is characterized by being remarkably light and fibrous, being highly sought after for its ease of drying.
Medicinal properties of the poplar tree
The poplar tree has been attributed with various properties since ancient times, including its health benefits, particularly in Greek medicine, especially during the 17th century. Its use in ointments and syrups was notable. Subsequently, after various studies and investigations, it has been established that its different parts do indeed treat various ailments. It is used as:
- Analgesic
- Antipyretic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Diuretic
poplar tree cultivation
The poplar tree, in order to evolve, grow and develop optimally, requires a temperate climate, with its respective presence of humidity. Besides, it is essential that the substrate is fresh and prominent in organic matter. As well as, that it has a complete drainage, with no possibility of waterlogging.
It must have the ease of receiving the incidence of sunlight, which makes it easier for it to have accelerated growth. It should be noted that their longevity ranges around 60 years. Being the best time to carry out its reproduction, the months referred to the end of the winter season. That is the moment in which their seeds are formed and germinate.
This majestic poplar tree can be propagated through cuttings, either from the base of a mature tree or from a stem cutting. A cutting is a stem or bud inserted into the substrate to propagate the plant. It also has the ability to self-reproduce through its seeds, which germinate very easily.
In addition, the poplar tree is characterized by the fact that it can be cultivated and developed in types of sandy soils and on the coasts. So it has the ability to handle both freshwater and brackish water moisture. Developing resistance even to inclement droughts, without suffering any damage.
Another important and influential feature that makes it excellent is that it can be maintained between various climatic events. Having to handle the four seasons of the year without inconvenience. Going from extreme cold to extreme heat, shedding leaves and so on.
Precaution before cultivation
It is important to select a suitable location before planting, ensuring it does not interfere with buildings or other trees. This is because poplar trees have aggressive and very strong roots, which can emerge from the ground and become visible, both the main and secondary roots.
Poplar Tree Care
Before planting the poplar tree , certain requirements, demands and incidents that it establishes must be taken into account, which are:
- Location: This must be done at a distance that is not less than 10 meters from buildings, pipes, or any other that is affected by the strength and aggressive power of its roots.
- Substratum: It must be fresh, rich in nutrients and organic matter.
- Drainage: This must be adequate and guaranteed, without waterlogging.
- Irrigation: It is a tree that is generally seen in the vicinity of rivers, or swamps and even on the coast. This is because for its development, it needs a sufficient amount of water.
- Resistance: The poplar tree is handled both in extreme heat and frost, which range up to -18 ° C. Considering that the tropical climate is not beneficial to it. If the four seasons are seen in the place, it is simply the right one for this tree.
- Cultivation: The best time to run a crop of this is after winter.
Popular poplar tree types
Among the best-known types of poplar tree are those belonging to the following species:
Europeans
This species includes two groups, which are those with "grey and smooth bark", and also, those with "dark and ribbed bark". Having the following examples of poplars:
- Blanco
The white poplar or scientifically "Populus alba", has a smooth, whitish and fissured bark. It is also identified by the name of "common poplar" or "white poplar". It is deciduous, being able to develop a height of 30 meters with ease.
- Black
The black poplar, scientifically "Populus nigra", is also known by the names of "black poplar" or "alameda". In its development it reaches heights that range from 20 to 30 meters. It is deciduous and its bark is gray and cracked.
- trembling
The trembling poplar, with the scientific name “Populus tremula”, is also identified as “trembling poplar” or “lamparilla”. It is capable of developing to a height that ranges between 10 and 15 meters. It is deciduous, having a fissured bark (in adults), with a gray-green color.
Americans
The main species of American poplar trees cultivated in Europe are the following:
- Caroline
The Carolina poplar, with the scientific name "Populus deltoides", is characterized by being deciduous and having a development capacity where its height ranges from 20 to 25 meters. It is also known as "North American black tree".
- Poplar
The poplar or also "black poplar of Canada", "poplar" or "Canadian poplar", is a hybrid deciduous tree. Which comes from the "Populus nigra" and the "Populus deltoides". Scientifically it is called “Populus x canadensis”. It can develop up to 20 meters high.
- Of California
The Californian poplar, scientifically “Populus trichocarpa”, is a deciduous tree, which can be between 30 and 50 meters tall.
Asians
These are characterized by developing a thick trunk, of which we have the following examples of poplars:
- Japanese
The Japanese poplar, with the scientific name "Populus maximowiczii", is a deciduous tree. It is also identified as "maximowicz poplar", "Asian poplar" or "deldoronoki". In its development it can reach a height of up to 30 meters.
- Chino
The Chinese poplar, or scientifically "Populus simonii", is a deciduous tree that can easily grow to a height of around 15 meters. It has a whitish bark with a smooth texture.
- by yunan
The Yunan poplar, which is scientifically identified as “Populus yunnanensis”, is a deciduous tree. Likewise, it is identified with the name of “Chinese poplar”. In its growth it can develop a height of up to 25 meters.
