LOMBARDY POPLAR (Populus nigra Italica)

The Lombardy Poplar is so called because it originated in the Lombardy region of Northern Italy. It was introduced to Britain about 1758.

The tree has an unusual shape because the branches are all very small and grow upwards. Fully grown, the Lombardy Poplar reaches a height of 100m. The bark is dark grey-brown with shallow ridges.

The crimson catkins which ripen in mid-April are from male trees. Female trees are rarely planted in Britain. This is probably because the females produce large numbers of fluffy white seeds which could block drains and would litter gardens and pavements.