Deciduous suckering tree < 25 m tall. Bark is grey and smooth or slightly fissured. Leaves are < 10 x 9.5 cm, lobed or toothed, alternate, green on top and white underneath. Flowers are pale, drooping, < 8 cm long catkins borne in September. Capsules contain cotton-like white seeds.
Although silver poplar is not a legally declared pest plant, it may still be invasive in some situations. Consider lower risk alternatives for your garden, such as native plants.
Riparian margins, forest, coastal dunes, grassland, pasture, swampy ground, wasteland.
Does not produce viable seed. Vegetative spread from suckering. Human-mediated dispersal through dumping of garden waste, deliberate plantings and movement of contaminated soil.
Can form dense stands, preventing native seedling recruitment. Roots may clog waterways.
Always treat standing plants, do not cut down as trees will coppice. Allow to fully die before felling. Follow up treated areas 3 times per year. Encourage natural regeneration of native plants or replant treated areas where possible after 2-3 treatments to establish dense ground cover and minimise reinvasion.
CAUTION: When using any herbicide or pesticide please read the label thoroughly to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.
Chinese poplar leaves are glossy green on upper side, greenish white on underside and have pink midribs & veins.
The Lombardy poplar leaves are green on both sides.
