Lombardy Poplar
Populus nigra 'Italica' · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Salicaceae
Tree Category
Ornamental, Screen, Street Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Italica (notable for its strictly fastigiate or columnar growth habit)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3 through 9; highly adaptable to various temperature extremes within these ranges.
About This Tree
A tall, narrow, columnar tree with strictly upright (fastigiate) branching that grows almost parallel to the main trunk. It features a high, dense crown when young and a very rapid growth rate.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, deltoid (triangular) to rhombic leaves; 2-4 inches long; bright green in summer turning golden-yellow in fall; alternate arrangement with finely serrated margins and flattened petioles causing leaves to flutter in the wind.
Bark Characteristics
Grayish-green and smooth when young; becoming deeply furrowed, dark gray, and ruggedly textured with thick ridges as the tree matures.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia; specifically mutated from a Populus nigra tree in Lombardy, Italy
Growing Season
Leafs out in early spring with bronze-green foliage; flowers (catkins) appear before leaves; turns yellow in fall and enters dormancy early in winter
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun; requires moderate to high moisture; prefers well-drained soils but can tolerate wet conditions; low drought tolerance.
Mature Size
Mature height of 40-60 feet with a very narrow spread of 10-15 feet; fast growth rate (up to 6 feet per year); relatively short lifespan of 15-20 years due to disease.
Special Characteristics
Excellent as a windbreak or visual screen; susceptible to Cytospora canker which limits its lifespan; noted for its distinct architectural silhouette; high wind resistance but brittle wood.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides nesting sites for birds; leaves serve as a food source for various moth and butterfly larvae; catkins provide early season pollen for insects.