Key to Poplars and Willows
in New Zealand
Version 1.0.5
4. Bark and form
- 0. Poplar or Willow?
- Looks like a poplar -> Poplar - 1. Crown shape
- Narrow crown (or uncertain) -> 2. Bark
- Bark is rough -> 4. Bark and form
Trunk dark brown with uniform parallel ribbing, Leaf heart-shaped, green upper surface, pale grey-green lower surface, midrib and petiole are tinged pinkish on the upper surface
-> go to 'Kawa'
Bark light in colour with pronounced V pattern at regular intervals on the trunk, crown squat with dense dark foliage, leaves round with darker green colouring than 'Kawa', trunk broader than 'Kawa'
-> go to 'Toa'
Very narrow form, small diamond shaped leaves, prone to rust infection, thin branches growing almost vertically, male
-> P. nigra 'Lombardy'
Bark coarsely ribbed, ribs not parallel. Apical dominance, often with a heavy asymmetrical branch(es), leaves with green upper surface, light green lower surface, leaves hang down from stem
-> P. xeuramericana -> go to 6. P. x euramericana hybrids
Bark finely ribbed, ribs roughly parallel
-> P. deltoides x cilliata -> go to 7. Crown and dominance