White Poplar (Populus alba)

How much light does a White Poplar need?

Plant white poplar where it gets full sun, defined as 6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day. Full sun is the only light level recorded as a preference for this species. The NC State Extension description pairs full sun with average, consistently moist, well-drained soil.

• Light: Full sun^1,2

How often to water a White Poplar

Its recorded water range runs from dry at the low end to medium at the high end. The extension description calls for average, consistently moist, well-drained soil. Soil drainage is recorded as well drained, moist, occasionally dry and occasionally wet. The Cornell listing describes consistently moist, well-drained soil.

• Water: Dry to medium¹

Best soil for a White Poplar

This tree tolerates acid to alkaline soil, from pH 5 to 8. Drainage is recorded as good, and Cornell describes consistently moist, well-drained soil. The full list of drainage conditions is well drained, moist, occasionally dry and occasionally wet. The extension description names average, consistently moist, well-drained soils. At the wide end, pH 8 sits in the alkaline range and pH 5 in the acid range.

• Soil drainage: Well drained, moist, occasionally dry and occasionally wet^1,2
• Soil pH: pH 5–8²

Hardiness and temperature

Hardiness for this tree is listed as zones 3a–9b. The listing gives half-zone steps. The steps are 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a and 9b. That is fourteen steps in all. The lowest zone listed is 3a. The highest zone listed is 9b. No cited source records a minimum temperature or a humidity need for this tree.

• Hardiness: Zones 3a–9b¹

How to plant a White Poplar

The listed zone range for this tree is 3a–9b. Allow room for a tree that reaches 50–75 ft (15.24–22.86 m) tall. The site should give full sun and good drainage. Soil pH from 5 to 8 is tolerated. In the lower 48 states, its native status is introduced. The NC State Extension lists its growth rate as rapid.

• Hardiness: Zones 3a–9b¹

Winter care

This tree is deciduous, and the extension entry calls it an aggressive, fast growing tree in the willow family. Cold-hardiness is listed from zone 3a to zone 9b. Zone 3a is the coldest zone listed. Zone 9b is the warmest zone listed. Both ends of the listing are given as half-zone values.

• Hardiness: Zones 3a–9b¹

How to propagate a White Poplar

Propagation methods recorded for this tree are seed and stem cuttings. Seed is the first method listed. Stem cuttings are the second. A laboratory result is on record for seed: soaking reduced the germination of white poplar seeds. Whichever method you use, the finished tree is rated for full sun and zones 3a–9b.

• Propagation: Seed and stem cuttings³

Common problems

Borers, aphids, caterpillars and scale insects are the pests recorded for white poplar. The diseases listed are dieback, canker, leaf spot, rust and powdery mildew. The extension entry describes the tree as susceptible to every item in both lists. Nine problems are recorded in all, five diseases and four pests.

• Common pests: borers, aphids, caterpillars and scale insects¹
• Common diseases: dieback, canker, leaf spot, rust and powdery mildew¹

Questions and answers

How much sun does white poplar need?

White poplar prefers full sun, which is 6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day. Full sun is the only light level recorded for it. The extension description pairs it with average, consistently moist, well-drained soil.

How tall does white poplar grow?

Mature height is listed as 50–75 ft (15.24–22.86 m). The extension entry gives its growth rate as rapid. It is a deciduous tree. In the lower 48 states its native status is introduced.

What soil pH does white poplar tolerate?

It tolerates acid to alkaline soil, from pH 5 to 8. Drainage is recorded as well drained, moist, occasionally dry and occasionally wet. Good drainage is the NC State Extension entry.