American poplar - Populus deltoides

Description and Uses

Populus deltoides (American poplar) is a temperate tree from Canada and Alaska. It is mainly grown for its fuel crops (long shelflife), The crop is harvested by total removing. It starts flowering after 5 - 10 years. Regarding firewood production the tree`s growing speed is fast, its energetic value is 4600 ckal/kg and the wood`s drying speed is slow; for firewood production it is not ideal. After 20 years the tree can be totally removed as it reached its commercial and ecological goal. Populus deltoides has a lifespan of 120 years.

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Environmental limitations

The tree is 35 meters tall. It is fast growing and tolerates not less light than partial shade. Populus deltoides has a shallow root-system and forms symbiotic relations (endo and ecto mycorrhiza). It is able to fix nitrogen with Microbacteriaceae bacteria. The tree`s flower-morphology is dioecious and is pollinated by wind. Populus deltoides is deciduous in winter and not allelopathic and has no thorns.

Populus deltoides thrives in an altitude of 0 to 1000 meters above sea-level (temperate). The minimum temperature is -30°C and optimally between -2 - 26°C. The optimal rainfall is 1350 mm/year. Without irrigation the annual rainfall should be between 600 - 1500 mm (L/m²). The optimal soil-pH is between 5.0 - 8.0 in a soil texture of sand. To salt it is a bit tolerant to wind and to fire intolerant.

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Pests and Diseases

and diseases.

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Seed Propagation

Seeds are stratificant and can be stored for 1 months. There are approximative 15000000 seeds/kg. Unfortunately propagation instruction is missing.

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