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Common Name: Canadian Poplar

General Information

Populus x canadensis is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 40.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials..

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

N. America.

Habitat

A group of naturally occurring hybrids between P. nigra and P. deltoidea[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	40.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A very easily grown plant, it does well in a heavy cold damp soil[]. Prefers a deep rich well-drained circumneutral soil, growing best in the south and east of Britain[, ]. Growth is much less on wet soils, on poor acid soils and on thin dry soils[]. This species is fairly wind resistant, though it does not do well in exposed upland sites[]. It dislikes shade and is intolerant of root or branch competition[]. A very fast growing tree, it grows for a longer period in the season than other poplars.
This hybrid species contains a number of named forms, several of which have been selected for their ornamental value[, ]. Many of them are fast growing trees that are used in forestry and for shelterbelts[, ]. 'Serotina' and 'Robusta', in particular, are often used in shelter belt plantings. 'Serotina' is a male that responds well to pollarding but is slower in growth than some other cultivars[]. 'Robusta' is a male and is frequently grown in forestry, as a screen and in shelterbelts[]. The var. 'Regenerata' is tolerant of urban pollution[].
Poplars have very extensive and aggressive root systems that can invade and damage drainage systems. Especially when grown on clay soils, they should not be planted within 12 metres of buildings since the root system can damage the building's foundations by drying out the soil[].
A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required.
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, the bark of most, if not all members of the genus contain salicin, a glycoside that probably decomposes into salicylic acid (aspirin) in the body[, ]. The bark is therefore anodyne, anti-inflammatory and febrifuge. It is used especially in treating rheumatism and fevers, and also to relieve the pain of menstrual cramps[].

Other Uses

An extract of the shoots can be used as a rooting hormone for all types of cuttings. It is extracted by soaking the chopped up shoots in cold water for a day[].
A fast-growing and wind resistant tree, it can be used in a shelterbelt planting[, ]. In more exposed sites there is some wind-pruning[]. The tree is late coming into leaf and so often escapes the spring storms[].
Wood - soft, rather woolly in texture, without smell or taste, of low flammability, not durable, very resistant to abrasion[].
Wood - soft, moderately strong, easily worked, rather woolly in texture, without smell or taste, of low flammability, not durable, very resistant to abrasion[]. Used in making the staves of barrels and woodenware, it turns well. It makes an excellent fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - must be sown as soon as it is ripe in spring[]. Poplar seed has an extremely short period of viability and needs to be sown within a few days of ripening[]. Surface sow or just lightly cover the seed in trays in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the cold frame. If sufficient growth is made, it might be possible to plant them out in late summer into their permanent positions, otherwise keep them in the cold frame until the following late spring and then plant them out. Most poplar species hybridize freely with each other, so the seed may not come true unless it is collected from the wild in areas with no other poplar species growing[]. This species is a hybrid and will not come true from seed.
Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, 20 - 40cm long, late autumn in a sheltered outdoor bed or direct into their permanent positions. Very easy.
Suckers in early spring[].