Description Populus nigra ‘Italica’ – Lombardy Poplar Tall, Fast-Growing Screening Tree with Iconic Columnar Form Botanical Name: Populus nigra ‘Italica’Common Name: Lombardy PoplarOrigin: Europe and Western Asia Description:The Lombardy Poplar (Populus nigra ‘Italica’) is a fast-growing, deciduous tree best known for its narrow, upright columnar shape. Reaching impressive heights quickly, it forms a bold vertical accent in the landscape and is ideal for windbreaks, screening, or creating a dramatic avenue effect. Its tall, architectural form makes it especially valuable in large-scale plantings where space efficiency is key. The foliage is a rich green through spring and summer, consisting of diamond-shaped leaves that flutter attractively in the breeze. In autumn, the leaves turn a clear golden yellow before falling, leaving behind the distinctive vertical lines of bare branches and upright trunks, which still contribute to the winter landscape. Specifications: Height at Maturity: 20 – 25 metres Width at Maturity: 3 – 5 metres Growth Rate: Very fast (up to 1.5–2 metres per year) Form: Strictly upright, columnar Foliage: Deciduous – green turning golden yellow in autumn Flowers: Inconspicuous catkins in spring (non-ornamental) Bark: Grey-brown, deeply ridged with age Position & Uses: Sun Requirements: Full sun Soil Type: Well-drained to moderately heavy soils; tolerates poor or clay soils Water Requirements: Low once established; drought-tolerant Uses: Windbreaks and shelterbelts Tall privacy screens or boundary definition Formal or rural avenue plantings Landscape height contrast Maintenance: Responds well to pruning and pollarding if shape control is required Avoid planting near underground services due to vigorous root systems Best suited to large properties, farms, or rural developments Climate & Tolerance: Tolerates frost, wind, and heat Performs best in temperate and Mediterranean climates Not recommended for humid or tropical regions Note: Due to its rapid growth and invasive roots, the Lombardy Poplar is best planted away from buildings, drains, and small garden spaces. Create bold vertical accents and instant height with Populus nigra ‘Italica’ – Lombardy Poplar, available now at Blerick Tree Farm.
