Populus alba Nivea - White Poplar

Populus alba 'Nivea', also known as White Poplar, Silver Poplar, or Silver-leaved Poplar, is a robust tree of medium size. The undersides of the mature leaves are cottony, while the young branches and leaves are remarkably white, giving the tree a shiny and silvery effect in the wind. The foliage turns golden in autumn. This poplar tree withstands strong winds and salt spray, and is tolerant of limestone and drought, making it ideal for windbreak hedges.

White Poplar 'Nivea' belongs to the Salicaceae family. It is a cultivar of the famous Silver Poplar, which is native to central and southern Europe, as well as central and western Asia. It can reach a height of 25 m (82 ft) and a spread of 12 m (39 ft 4 in), with rapid growth.

Silver Poplar 'Nivea' has a spreading habit with an irregular spherical crown. The young leaves and branches are covered in white down. The leaves, measuring between 6 and 12 cm (2.4 to 4.7 in), are deeply lobed, greenish-grey on the upper side, and covered in fine hairs on the underside. The deciduous foliage turns a golden yellow in autumn. Its smooth white bark eventually turns grey and rough with age, forming diamond-shaped lenticels. The root system is shallow and vigorous, producing suckers. This species is dioecious, with flowering occurring between March and April, before the leaves appear. The inflorescences are in the form of male or female catkins, with the males being reddish and the females greenish.

*Cottony refers to a plant or fungal structure covered in thick hairs, or a fine down giving a felty impression.

Plant Populus alba 'Nivea' in any well-drained, loose soil, ranging from moist to dry, neutral to alkaline or calcareous, even slightly salty. However, it requires a sunny exposure. Although this tree prefers riversides or moist locations, it can tolerate moderately dry environments.

If necessary, carry out pruning before the start of vegetation, removing diseased or dead wood and crossing branches.

The White Poplar is best suited for large gardens if planted as a solitary tree or for landscaping medium-sized parks and gardens due to its root development and ability to produce suckers. For this reason, it should be planted away from building foundations (at least 15 to 20 m (49 ft 2 in to 65 ft 7 in)). It is perfect for creating a low-cost windbreak hedge that can be pruned in winter to thicken and stimulate sucker growth (coppice shoots), especially in coastal areas.

Populus alba is the host plant for a species of butterfly (eggs and larvae) that is now endangered: the Poplar Admiral (Limenitis populi). Its bark contains salicin and has been used as a febrifuge. Its relatively low-density wood is easy to work with but does not polish well. It is commonly used for making paper pulp, matches, packaging, or plywood, as well as in carpentry and as a structural timber.