Bareroot Populus nigra (Black Poplar) 'Betulifolia'

Often called the Manchester poplar, this distinctive tree combines the rugged character of black poplar with a more compact, upright form well suited to urban planting. The diamond shaped leaves with their pale undersides flutter attractively in the wind, casting dappled shade in summer before turning butter yellow in autumn. Unlike other poplars, it develops a dense, branching habit with less aggressive roots, making it better suited to streets and gardens. The deeply fissured, almost black bark matures into striking corky ridges that provide year round texture. Particularly tolerant of pollution and urban conditions, it grows vigorously in most soils while offering valuable habitat for wildlife. A resilient choice for adding height and movement to landscapes where space allows for its graceful, spreading crown.

Family of Trees: Salicaceae

Habit: Deciduous Tree, Upright

Growth Rate: 60-90 cm/year

Optimal Temperature: 10-25°C, hardy to -30°C

Harmful if Eaten?: Non-toxic

Flowers or Berries: Catkins

Hardiness: H7 (Extremely Hardy)

Hardiness ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

○ H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
○ H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
○ H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
○ H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
○ H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
○ H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
○ H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
○ H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
○ H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)