Poplar & Willow Identification Key

6. P. x euramericana hybrids

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
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 -> 6. P. x euramericana hybrids

P. x euramericana hybrids are difficult to tell apart. Leaves are very similar. Good records are the best clue.

Narrow-medium crown, relatively broad trunk, large roots near the soil surface, bark deeply ribbed, leaves susceptible to rust -> go to 'Weraiti'

Narrow crown and trunk, flushes bronze-red in mid-September, bark less deeply ribbed cv 'Weraiti', commonly planted -> go to 'Veronese'

Medium sized crown, occasionally heavy branches, smoother bark than other P. x euramericana hybrids, little rust -> go to 'Otahuao'

Very narrow form, light branching, narrow trunk, rust prone, slower growing than other P. x euramericana hybrids -> go to 'Selwyn'

Narrow-medium crown, few heavy limbs, slow growing, straight trunk -> go to 'Fraser'

Very narrow form, numerous light branches, steep branch angle, leaves smaller and rounder than other P.x euramericana -> go to 'Crowsnest'