Key to Poplars and Willows
in New Zealand

'San Rosa'

• 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 finely ribbed, ribs roughly parallel -> 7. Crown and dominance
• Narrow-medium crown, leaves ovoid, uniform profile, bark shallow grooved, male, at least one prominent heavy limb -> 'San Rosa'

Populus deltoides x P. ciliataNZ 5026

‘San Rosa’ is a P. x asiamerica hybrid, resulting from a 1983 NZ cross between P. deltoides and P. ciliata. It was first released commercially in 2011.

Identification

‘San Rosa’ 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.

‘San Rosa’ has a narrow-medium sized crown, with a tendency to produce at least one heavy limb. IN general limbs are light. ‘San Rosa’ is male.

Typical uses, site requirements, pest and disease resistance

‘San Rosa’ is suitable for general soil conservation use, particularly in drier eastern regions. It performs better in sheltered sites. It has low-medium resistance to rust which offsets its vigour in western regions.

Performance in trials

‘San Rosa’ in a close-planted trial at Lawrence had a mean height of 17.8 (27.9) m and DBH of 34.0 (49.5) cm after 12 (24) years.