Side by side
Hybrid black poplar or aspen? How to tell them apart
Populus × canadensis · Populus tremula
How to tell them apart – hybrid black poplar: triangular leaf with a finely toothed edge; aspen: almost round leaf with coarse, wavy teeth that trembles in the slightest breeze.
How do you recognise them?
- Hybrid black poplar
- Triangular leaf on a sideways-flattened stalk that rustles in the wind; often planted in rows.
- Compared with aspen: triangular leaf with a finely toothed edge.
- Aspen
- Almost round leaf with coarse, wavy teeth that trembles in the slightest breeze.
| Hybrid black poplar | Aspen | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Alternate, triangular to diamond-shaped, 7–10 cm, with a straight base and finely toothed edge. The leaf stalk is flattened sideways. | Alternate, almost round, 3–7 cm, with coarse, wavy teeth. Long, sideways-flattened leaf stalk. |
| Flowering | Red male catkins in March (March–April). | Grey, hairy catkins in March (March). |
| Fruit | Fluffy seeds in May on female trees. | Fluffy seeds in May. |
| Bark | Grey, deeply furrowed lengthways. | Smooth, grey-green with diamond-shaped lenticels; darker at the base. |
| Shape and height | Broadleaf tree, 25–35 m | Broadleaf tree, 10–20 m |
| Site | Full sun, any garden soil, moist to wet | Full sun, any garden soil, dry to wet |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted | Yes |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for butterflies | Yes, for butterflies and birds |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Not known to be poisonous | Not known to be poisonous |
| Pruning months | July–August and November–February | November–March |
What does it mean for your garden?
- Aspen is native: it feeds more insects and birds than a non-native species. If in doubt, choose this one.
- Hybrid black poplar (25–35 m) and aspen (10–20 m) both grow into large trees: too big for an ordinary garden, but fine in a large garden, a park or a meadow.
Read on
- Plant profile: Hybrid black poplar
- Plant profile: Aspen
- Hybrid black poplar: when and how to prune
- Aspen: when and how to prune
- Identification key: the question that separates them
Also looks like
This comparison is compiled from the Bladwijzer species pages.