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Silver Poplar

Silver Poplar
Invasive Plant
Silver Poplar
Populus alba
 

The white poplar is a rounded broad-leaved deciduous tree growing up to 12 m high. It is distinguished by the blue-grey leaves with white undersides and white bark. Leaves turn a brilliant yellow in autumn. It has male and female flowers on separate trees. After flowering in October, the unfertilised female flowers become white wind borne 'fluff' which spreads widely causing respiratory irritation to some people.

White poplar may be mistaken for Silver birch.

 

HOW IT SPREADS

  • White poplar spreads by suckers which may from dense thickets in gullies and along streams. Suckering is stimulated by soil disturbance damaging roots.
 
 
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Alternative Plants

Leyland Cypress
Photo: © immij pty ltd
Alternative Plant Leyland Cypress
Cupressocyparis leylandii cultivars
Trees and Shrubs
 

Evergreen, moderately fastgrowing coniferous trees that are mainly used for hedging and windbreaks. There are several popular cultivars available including 'Naylors Blue', with blue-grey foliage and 'Castlewellan Gold' which has golden-yellow young foliage that matures to bronze-green with age. Seek advice at your garden centre for the best cultivar for your garden.

Silver Birch
Photo: Fleming's Nurseries
Alternative Plant Silver Birch
Betula pendula
Trees and Shrubs
 

A deciduous medium-sized graceful tree providing light shade in summer. It will grow 6 to 15 m high by 5 to 8 m wide. It may have one or several main trunks and will grow in sun or part-shade in a moist position. The bark is brown when young but gradually develops to silverywhite when mature. Often planted in a grove.

Tasmanian Bog Gum
Photo: Fleming's Nurseries
Alternative Plant Tasmanian Bog Gum
Eucalyptus ovata
Trees and Shrubs
 

A fast-growing, evergreen, upright tree with a moderately dense canopy. Native to Tasmania, this species can reach 25 m. Coastal trees tend to be smaller than those inland. Adult leaves are broad-lanceolate with wavy edges. White flowers appear in autumn to mid winter. An important food source and habitat for Koalas.

 
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