Walker Poplar vs Black Cottonwood - TreeTime.ca

Walker Poplar vs Black Cottonwood

Populus trichocarpa

Populus x Walker

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

Black Cottonwood
Walker Poplar

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.

Walker Poplar is a hardy prairie tree. A common shade tree, this fast-growing hybrid poplar works well in urban yards or shelterbelts.

In the past, Walker was one of the most popular species used in shelterbelts due to the wide spread that reduced the total number and cost of trees to plant. Despite the fuzz produced by this tree in the Spring it continues to be a popular and cost effective tree for field shelterbelts.

Another benefit of this species is the low branching. It can serve as a first row species that traps snow drifts. This makes it uniquely useful as a shelterbelt tree over other varieties.

Walker is one of the fastest growing hybrid poplar varieties we grow.

Black Cottonwood Quick Facts

Walker Poplar Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 2a
Height: 30 m (100 ft)
Height: 25 m (82 ft)
Spread: 11 m (35 ft)
Spread: 8 m (26 ft)
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: any
Light: full sun
Light: any
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: yes
Catkins: yes
Catkins: yes
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: long
Life span: short
Maintenance: medium
Maintenance: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: high


In row spacing: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)


Other Names: balsam cottonwood, california poplar, western balsam poplar