Photo gallery

  • Populus nigra blossom in detail
  • The pinky red male catkin of Populus nigra in detail
  • A mature specimen of Populus nigra in a rural environment
  • Medium-sized Black Poplar trees on the Barcham Trees nursery
  • Carbon Rating
  • Carbon Rating

Black Poplar, Water Poplar

Populus nigra

Out of stock

Our new stock is growing! New stock will be available 1st September 2025.

About this product

Populus nigra is a Poplar native to Europe and Western Asia; it is a species of Cottonwood Poplar that is now rarely found in England and Europe. This tree, also known as Black or Water Poplar, has triangle to diamond shaped leaves that are green on both surfaces. 

The trees produce either female or male flowers, and therefore need to be pollinated by the wind for fertilisation to occur. The bark of mature specimens is gnarled and burred and has twigs that are hairless throughout.

At maturity, the Black Poplar forms a large, round-headed tree which suits the natural landscape of the UK well. 

It is a tough specimen that will tolerate exposed conditions and water logging, making it very good for shelter belt planting, woodlands and parks.

Mature Height: 20m+

Specifications

Common names
Black Poplar, Water Poplar
Height of tree
20m+
Soil type
Wet, Will tolerate most soil types
Shape
Broad
Foliage Colour
Green
Information Flags
Native
Looks good in
Summer, Spring
Location
Parkland, Wetland
Genus
Populus