Populus trichocarpa 'Columbia River'

Black cottonwood 'Columbia River', western balsam-poplar 'Columbia River', California poplar 'Columbia River'

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Description

Populus trichocarpa 'Columbia River' (Western balsam poplar 'Columbia River') is a very fast-growing clone, developed around 1962 for log production by the Canadian match industry (UNAL, Union Allumettière). The species was distributed in the Netherlands by the Netherlands Inspection Service for Horticulture in 1975. This poplar forms a straight, continuous trunk with upright branches. This makes for a narrow, densely branched tree, even when it is older.

In March, Populus trichocarpa ‘Columbia River’ blooms red catkins on bare wood. The cultivar is male and therefore does not produce cotton-like seeds. Its large, elongated ovoid, leather-like dark green leaves are similar to those of the main species. Its leaves bud yellow-green and emit a characteristic balsam fragrance. Its summer colour is dark green with a white underside; its autumn colour is yellow.

This is the most wind-proof cultivar of Populus trichocarpa, but still cannot be used in areas with a lot of wind or coastal winds. The tree does best in sheltered environments in the countryside, in parks and in large gardens. Populus trichocarpa 'Columbia River' is cultivated for log production in fertile and heavier types of soil. The cultivar is well able to tolerate Marssonina and bacterial canker and is reasonably able to tolerate rust.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees

Use

Location

park large garden cemetery countryside

Pavement

none

Planting concepts

landscape planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

narrow oval

Crown structure

dense

Height

15 - 25 m

Width

5 - 9 m

Winter hardiness zone

5A - 8B

Aspects

Wind

slightly tolerant to wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay heavy clay light clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

moist wet

Light requirements

sun

pH range

acidic neutral

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Photos

Magnify

standard tree

leaves

bark

Flowers

catkins discrete pendulous

Flower colour

red

Flowering period

March

Leaves

Leaf colour

dark green buds pale green underside white-grey

Leaves

deciduous ovate deltoid big leathery scented serrate

Autumn colour

yellow

Fruits

no fruit

Bark

Bark colour

yellow-green grey-green

Bark

peeling smooth, later on rough

Twigs

Twig colour

grey-green

Twigs

bare vertical branches long shoots

Root system

shallow extensive highly branched root suckers roots push up surface

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

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