Populus yunnanensis

Description: Wide crown, large, dark-green leaves. Rust resistant. Attractive, fast-growing specimen or shade tree or for shelter. Unpalatable to possums. A high zinc content in the foliage will assist facial eczema control. Most tolerant poplar to dry sites.

Botanical Name Populus yunnanensis

Common Name: Chinese/Yunnan Poplar

Family: Salicaceae.

Height: 17 metres.

Width: 8 metres.

Foliage: Bright green leaves up to 15 cm long and 7.5 cm wide on young plants with a lighter underside.

Flower: Catkins up to 15 cm long.

Growth Habits: Conical. Branches ascending and shoots strongly angled. Adaptable to a range of soil types but best in moist conditions in full sun. Will generally not produce suckers unless the roots are damaged

Watering Needs: To maintain growth and plant health summer watering is recommended to minimize stress. Regular watering from December to April is recommended on a needs basis which will often mean weekly. These trees are relatively dry tolerant and if established properly can continue to grow with minimal irrigation.

Light: Morning Sun: Leaves often finely dissected can burn or scorch so protection from afternoon heat is recommended. Full Sun: Trees grow best in full sun providing the soil has appropriate moisture and nutrients. Mulching of the root zone is considered essential.

Treatment: Trees tend to be shallow rooted and best growth is achieved when the root zone of the tree is mulched with up to 75mm of composted organic material. This protects the roots from the sun and also retains soil moisture.