Key to Poplars and Willows
in New Zealand
Version 1.0.5
'Fraser'
- 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
- Narrow-medium crown, few heavy limbs, slow growing, straight trunk -> 'Fraser'
Populus deltoides x P. nigraNZ 5017
‘Fraser’ is a P. x euramericana hybrid, resulting from a 1980 NZ cross between P. deltoides and P. nigra ‘Italica’. It was first released commercially in 1996.
Identification
‘Fraser’ leaves are very similar to those of ‘Veronese’, with red veins, a straight base and a slightly undulating leaf margin. The leaves are dark green above and light green below.
‘Fraser’ has a narrow-medium sized crown, with only a few heavy limbs. ‘Fraser’ is female.
Typical uses, site requirements, pest and disease resistance
‘Fraser’ is suitable for general soil conservation use, particularly in drier eastern regions. ‘Fraser is typically used on lower slopes, below ‘Argyle’ and ‘Veronese’.
‘Fraser has less rust resistance than the other P. x euramericana hybrids, and is possum palatable.
Performance in trials
‘Fraser’ ranked average amongst other clones in trials at Wairarapa (ann. rainfall 850 mm) and Otago (ann. rainfall 600 mm). In Wairarapa, ‘Fraser’ at age 12 had an average diameter (dbh) of 30 cm (c.f. Weraiti 36 cm, ‘Kawa’ 27 cm), and an average height of 17.0 m (c.f. ‘Weraiti’ 17.9 m, ‘Kawa’ 15.4 m). At Henley in Otago at the same age average dbh for ‘Fraser was 17 cm (23.8 for ‘Weraiti’ and 20.7 cm for ‘Otahuao’) and height was 13.6 m (14.4 m for ‘Weraiti’ and 11.6 m for ‘Otahuao’).
