Key to Poplars and Willows
in New Zealand
Version 1.0.5
'Shinsei'
- 0. Poplar or Willow?
- Looks like a poplar -> Poplar - 1. Crown shape
- Narrow crown (or uncertain) -> 2. Bark
- Bark is smooth -> 5. Leaves
- Leaves small and rounded, crinkled and undulating, dark green upper surface whitish green under-surface, dense compact foliage -> 'Shinsei'
Populus nigra ‘LP 1’ x P. maximowiczii NZ 85-069-002
‘Shinsei’ is a NZ-bred PVR-licensed tree that was first released commercially in 2000. It originates from a 1985 cross between the Italian P. nigra ‘LP 1’ and a P. maximowiczii male clone from Hokkaido, Japan.
Identification
‘Shinsei’ leaves are small and round, with a crinkled, undulating leaf appearance. The leaves are dark green on the upper surface and whitish-green below. ‘Shinsei’ leafs up earlier in spring than most other poplars, due to the P. maximowiczii parentage. The stem colour is grey-green, and the branch and trunk surfaces are smooth in texture.
‘Shinsei’ has good apical dominance and a steep branch angle, resulting in a narrow crown with no heavy limbs. ‘Shinsei’ is male.
Typical uses, site requirements, pest and disease resistance
‘Shinsei’ is recommended for general soil conservation purposes, particularly on moist inland sites, and is reasonably wind tolerant.
‘Shinsei’ is resistant to leaf rusts, leaf anthracnose, and also has low possum palatability.
Performance in trials
The first nationwide trials of ‘Shinsei’ were established in 1999. At age 4, average heights of ‘Shinsei’ established as 3 m poles were 5.7 m (Canterbury), 5.2 m (Hawkes Bay) and 6.4 m (Te Kuiti). At Te Kuiti (ann. rainfall 1500 mm), average ‘Shinsei’ height was over 1 m taller than each of the P. x euramericana hybrids.
‘Shinsei’ height in a Manawatu gene pool collection was 16 m at age 10. The tree shown below (centre) is aged 3, in hill country near Palmerston North (ann. rainfall 1100 mm).
