Hill Poplar vs Black Cottonwood - TreeTime.ca

Hill Poplar vs Black Cottonwood

Populus x Hill

Populus trichocarpa

CUSTOM GROW

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Hill Poplar
Black Cottonwood

Hill Poplar is a hardy, fast-growing tree with a narrow crown. Hill Poplars function well as a privacy screen or windbreak.

This attractive, long-lived shade tree is a great choice for home and commercial consumers alike, as it requires little pruning or maintenance care.

Hill Poplar has largely been replaced by more desirable hybrid poplar varieties that are more resistant to disease.

Black Cottonwood is the largest and tallest of the North American poplars. Named after its white, fluffy seeds with cottony hairs, this hardy tree produces sticky, fragrant buds and has a straight growth habit. Black Cottonwood needs ample moisture and nutrients to grow successfully to full height and are found in the Western provinces and the Yukon with BC being its heartland.

Hill Poplar Quick Facts

Black Cottonwood Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 4a
Height: 20 m (66 ft)
Height: 30 m (100 ft)
Spread: 15 m (50 ft)
Spread: 11 m (35 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: very fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: long
Suckering: high
Suckering: medium
Maintenance: medium


Seeds: fuzz
Hybrid: yes
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: yes

In row spacing: 2.4 m (8 ft)

Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Native to: AB, BC, YT
Other Names: balsam cottonwood, california poplar, western balsam poplar