Document Library: Poplar Information

An index to our poplar and willow documentation

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Argyle’ Populus deltoides x P. nigra NZ 5015

‘Argyle’ is a PVR-licensed variety resulting from the 1980 P. x euramericana crosses.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Braaksma’ Populus deltoides x P. nigra NZ 5038

‘Braaksma’is a Populus deltoides x P. nigra hybrid.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Chiba’ Populus maximowiczii × P. nigra × P. nigra NZ 5037

‘Chiba’ is a New Zealand-bred poplar hybrid cross of P. maximowiczii, a balsam poplar species from Japan, and P. nigra, a black poplar species from Europe.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Crowsnest’ (Populus deltoides x P. nigra) x P. nigra NZ 5010

‘Crowsnest’ is a New Zealand-bred PVR-licensed variety that originates from a backcross between a P. x euramericana hybrid and P. nigra. It was first released commercially in 1994.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Fraser’ Populus deltoides x P. nigra NZ 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.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Dudley’ Populus deltoides x P. nigra NZ 5022

‘Dudley’ 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 2000. A NZ PVR application is pending.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Hororata’ Populus maximowiczii × P. nigra NZ 5033

‘Hororata’ was bred in New Zealand in 1993 and released for commercial use in 2011. It is female.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Geyles’ Populus maximowiczii × P. nigra NZ 5034

Bred in New Zealand in 1993, ’Geyles’ was released in 2011. It is a male clone.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Kawa’ Populus deltoides x P. yunnanensis PN 35 NZ 5006

‘Kawa’, bred in NZ in 1974, is a cross between P. deltoides and P. yunnanensis from China. It was released commercially in 1986.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Kaimai’ Populus deltoides x P. ciliata NZ 5025

‘Kaimai’ 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.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Mapiu’ Populus maximowiczii × P. nigra NZ 5035

‘Mapiu’ was bred in New Zealand in 1993 and released for commercial use in 2011. ‘Mapiu’ is female.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Otahuao’ Populus deltoides x P. nigra NZ 5020

‘Otahuao’ 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 1993.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Pakai’ Populus deltoides × P. trichocarpa NZ 5009

‘Pakai’ is a New Zealand-bred poplar hybrid cross of P. deltoides, a black poplar species from eastern North America, and P. trichocarpa, a balsam poplar species from western North America.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Pecam’ Populus maximowiczii × P. nigra NZ 5036

‘Pecam’ was bred in New Zealand in 1993 and released for commercial use in 2011. ‘Pecam’ is male.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Plummer’ Populus angustifolia × P. yunnanensis NZ 5040

‘Plummer’ is a New Zealand-bred poplar hybrid cross of P. angustifolia, a balsam poplar species from western North America, and P. yunnanensis, a balsam poplar species from south-western China.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘San Rosa’ Populus deltoides x P. ciliata NZ 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.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Rotorangi’ Populus deltoides x P. ciliata NZ 5027

‘Rotorangi’ 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.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘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.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Selwyn’ Populus deltoides x P. nigra NZ 5016

‘Selwyn’ is a P. x euramericana hybrid, resulting from a 1980 NZ cross between P. deltoides and Populus nigra ‘Italica’. It was first released commercially in 1995.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Veronese’ Populus deltoides x P. nigra PN 870

‘Veronese’ is a P. x euramericana hybrid that was bred in Italy, imported into New Zealand and released commercially in 1986.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Toa’ NZ 5007 (Populus deltoides x P. nigra) x P. yunnanensis

‘Toa’ is a NZ-bred PVR-licensed tree that was first released commercially in 1996. It originates from a 1982 cross between a P. x euramericana hybrid and the Chinese balsam poplar P. yunnanensis.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Yunnan’ P. yunnanensis, The Chinese poplar PN 35

’Yunnan’ is a single clone of the balsam poplar P. yunnanensis from the Yunnan province in China. It was first imported in 1908, and was released for general use in 1986.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Weraiti’ Populus deltoides x P. nigra NZ 5018

‘Weraiti’ 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.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Understanding Poplars and Willows Whakatane, Croydon, Whanganui 2025

The New Zealand Poplar and Willow Research Trust is offering national training 2-day workshops for new and experienced practitioners. Locations: Whakatane, Croydon, and Whanganui; Dates: March and April 2025

Topics: Erosion Control; Poplar Information; Trees for the Farm; Willow Information;

Document Type: Publications;

The NZ Farm Pole Nursery Guide - Part 1 - Planning

Pole planting is a quick and effective way of establishing trees in the presence of livestock, especially cattle.

Topics: Nursery; Poplar Information; Trees for the Farm; Willow Information;

Document Type: Publications;

The NZ Farm Pole Nursery Guide - Part 2 - Management

To establish and operate an effective on-farm pole nursery will require resources, management and above all, time.

Topics: Nursery; Poplar Information; Trees for the Farm; Willow Information;

Document Type: Publications;

The NZ Farm Pole Nursery Guide - Part 4 - Diseases and Pests

A description of common pests and diseases of poplar and willow in New Zealand.

Topics: Diseases; Nursery; Pests; Poplar Information; Trees for the Farm; Willow Information;

Document Type: Publications;

Poplars and willows as bioengineering solutions – learnings from Cyclone Gabrielle

McIvor I, Heslop I, Brooks F

A survey of the bioengineering works (primarily mature willows and poplar trees) on a) the Tūtaekurī River within the Heretaunga Plains Flood Control Scheme and b) the Te Ārai River from Gisborne City water intake to its integration into the Waipoua Flood Protection Scheme was conducted 13 months after Cyclone Gabrielle.

Topics: Erosion Control; Rivers; Poplar Information; Willow Information;

Document Type: Publications;

Pole planting of poplar and willows for erosion prevention on Wairarapa farms

Pole planting of poplars and willows is one of the ways Greater Wellington helps to prevent erosion. Almost one million trees, shrubs and grasses will be planted across the Wellington Region in 2023.

Topics: Erosion Control; Poplar Information; Willow Information;

Document Type: Videos;

Report 2 for FGLT

Allan Frazer, Ian McIvor

A report for the Forest Growers Levy Trust Project. The extent of NZ poplar plantations, silviculture, marketing and local use of poplar timber. Establishment of a Poplar Action Group within NZ Farm Forestry Association (NZFFA). ‘Stage one of a three stage review and analysis of the potential of poplars as commercial timber species in New Zealand.’

Topics: Poplar Information; Timber;

Document Type: Publications;

Report 1 for FGLT: Poplar Cultivation

Ian McIvor

A report for the Forest Growers Levy Trust Project. Poplar cultivation: a comparison of international and national activity. The extent of NZ poplar plantations, silviculture, marketing and local use of poplar timber.

Topics: Poplar Information; Timber;

Document Type: Publications;

How poplar trees influence water flow on slopes - Research Brief 19

Water flow on pastoral slopes following rainfall transfers sediment and contributes to slope erosion. Pasture cover reduces flow rate allowing more time for water absorption. Trees also influence water flow in ways that complement and enhance the effect of pasture.

Topics: Erosion Control; Farms; Poplar Information; Trees for the Farm;

Document Type: Research Briefs;

Performance of plantation poplar on the Rakaia River in Mid-Canterbury - Research Brief 18

This research brief reports on the performance of poplar clones in a trial established in 1990 by Environment Canterbury on the banks of the Rakaia River. The trial was to compare the performance of five New Zealand-bred poplar clones, with the ‘Veronese’ (Populus deltoides × P. nigra) poplar clone.

Topics: Poplar Information; Trees for the Farm; Timber;

Document Type: Research Briefs;

Do I pollard my poplars? - Research Brief 17

What is pollarding? Pollarding is reducing a tree to a stump by removing all branches. For poplars on farms the stump is left at 2 m height so animals cannot eat off the new shoots.

Topics: Cultivation; Poplar Information; Trees for the Farm;

Document Type: Research Briefs;

Effect of fertilization on growth of poplars established from poles on farmland - Research Brief 16

A single deposit of fertiliser, either N (80g urea), P (180g superphosphate) or both was supplied at 30 cm upslope of the pole and at 15 cm depth to ‘Veronese’ poplar trees on sloping pastoral land two months after the trees were planted as poles.

Topics: Cultivation; Nutrition and Fertiliser; Poplar Information; Trees for the Farm;

Document Type: Research Briefs;

Pollarding wide-spaced poplar trees on pastoral hillslopes alters root development - Research Brief 15

Water flow on pastoral slopes following rainfall transfers sediment and contributes to slope erosion. Pasture cover reduces flow rate allowing more time for water absorption. Trees also influence water flow in ways that complement and enhance the effect of pasture.

Topics: Erosion Control; Farms; Poplar Information; Trees for the Farm;

Document Type: Research Briefs;

Root development in poplar and willow clones (a pot study) - Research Brief 05

A range of willow (Salix) and poplar (Populus) clones were used in the study. This information is important for river engineers, land managers and landowners seeking to match planting material to situation.

Topics: Erosion Control; Rivers; Root Systems; Poplar Information; Willow Information;

Document Type: Research Briefs;

Influence of tree shading by Populus ×euramericana ‘Veronese’ - Research Brief 02

We measured and modelled pasture production over a 10-month period under poplar trees aged either 11 or 22 years (TP) and in open pasture (OP), to determine the effect of spaced conservation trees on pasture production.

Topics: Fodder; Cultivation; Poplar Information; Trees for the Farm;

Document Type: Research Briefs;

Wood production of ’Kawa’ poplar in an agroforestry trial - Research Brief 14

Poplar is widely planted internationally as a forestry and agroforestry species. The poplar cultivar ‘Kawa’ has been planted in Northland as an agroforestry tree. ‘Kawa’ has a higher wood density than most other poplar cultivars, with a straight stem.

Topics: Poplar Information; Trees for the Farm; Timber;

Document Type: Research Briefs;

Effect of slope position on poplar growth - Research Brief 13

Trunk diameter data from two wide spaced poplar trials planted in rows, with within row spacing of 10 m, at 20 m apart up a slope are used to provide insights into how slope position affects poplar growth.

Topics: Erosion Control; Root Systems; Cultivation; Poplar Information; Trees for the Farm;

Document Type: Research Briefs;

Influence of soil type on poplar root development - Research Brief 12

Poplar (Populus deltoides × nigra) Trees were grown from 3 m-long poles on pastoral hill slopes in three different soil types, pumice, sandy loam and clay loam, differing in their bulk density.

Topics: Erosion Control; Root Systems; Cultivation; Poplar Information;

Document Type: Research Briefs;

Willows, poplars and fodder - Research Brief 10

Poplar and willow provide fodder of sufficient quality and quantity to warrant using then as supplements for feeding to livestock during summer droughts. In addition to the feed quality, the tannins and phenolic glucosides present in the leaves provide pharmaceuticals benefits to stock.

Topics: Fodder; Poplar Information; Trees for the Farm; Willow Information;

Document Type: Research Briefs;

Milling poplar on the farm for fencing and yards construction - Research Brief 09

Farm milled poplar provides valuable wood products for both on-farm and off-farm use e.g. treated posts, battens and timber. On-farm, the timber was used for railings and gates in both cattle and sheep yards.

Topics: Poplar Information; Trees for the Farm; Timber; Farm milling & uses;

Document Type: Research Briefs;

Newsletter - August 2022

The Poplar and Willow Research Trust August 2022 newsletter

Topics: Poplar Information; Trees for the Farm; Willow Information;

Document Type: Newsletters;

Poplar trees and soil properties - Research Brief - 07

This study investigated the effects of poplar tree spacing on soil properties (infiltration rate, bulk density, soil moisture content and soil organic matter content) in two Nelder tree plots, with different soil types.

Topics: Cultivation; Poplar Information; Trees for the Farm;

Document Type: Research Briefs;

Climate change and growth of Poplar and Willow trees - Research Brief 04

We evaluated the response of Populus and Salix trees to elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) and temperature, and the interaction of these factors with drought, in a controlled environment.

Topics: Poplar Information; Trees for the Farm; Willow Information;

Document Type: Research Briefs;

Killing old Poplar trees using chemicals - Research Brief 03

Large or old poplar trees considered a safety risk can be poisoned, killed and left standing, using an appropriate herbicide applied to the conducting tissue in the trunk.

Topics: Poplar Information;

Document Type: Research Briefs;

Poplars and Willows as soil conservation trees in New Zealand - Research Brief 01

This study investigated farmers’ perspectives and experiences of poplar and willow trees planted on their farms for erosion reduction.

Topics: Erosion Control; Poplar Information; Trees for the Farm; Willow Information;

Document Type: Research Briefs;

Factsheet 7: Poplar Sawfly: Cladius grandis

Have you seen this unusual insect on your poplar trees? If you have spotted it we want to know! There are no other yellow/ orange caterpillars with black spots that feed on poplar leaves.

Topics: Pests; Poplar Information;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;