Posted on 05/01/2025 11:34:43 AM PDT by DallasBiff
Poplar trees are some of the fastest-growing, most popular shade trees in America. They encompass some 35 species, not including a massive number of hybrids, and can be found in zones 3 through 9. One question many homeowners want to know is, are poplar roots invasive?
Poplar trees are invasive because they have an extensive, fast growing, and shallow root system (up to three times wider than the tree is tall) which can lift sidewalks, retaining walls, and clog pipes. Poplar roots send up suckers 100ft away from the base of the tree while spreading seeds rapidly.
(Excerpt) Read more at treejourney.com ...
Which of the 35 species are they actually talking about, not all are the same in obnoxiousness.
When we had a tornado or microburst a few years ago, 20 poplars were uprooted. These were 80 foot + trees. Were were so blessed they didn’t hit our house, but they did cause $50 k in damage on our property and barn, and another $20k out of pocket for things such as a tree blocking a creek.
Sad thing is, even though we milled these trees and have about 400 2” slabs, they are really only good for furniture that will be stained. We have been cutting some into 2x4s for studs and that is promising tho
I really hate this tree.
*painted, not stained.
Me too! (though I only get about half of them).
Tulip Poplar all over my hardwood acres, yuk. Been cut/squirting for over a decade and some areas have died back and beautiful Sugar Maple saplings have taken root and are reaching up.
These Tulips grow really fast. I had one uproot this spring from rot that was 40” across at the base. All wasted wood and a lot of it but, It’s like I have a whole new backyard now!
Anyone remember a herbicide for brush called SPIKE? I believe it is banned as it worked too well.
Poplar Trees clean ground water... Google...
“Yes, poplar trees can help clean groundwater, a process known as phytoremediation. They can remove, stabilize, or destroy contaminants like trichloroethylene (TCE) and other pollutants in soil and groundwater. Poplars are effective due to their deep root systems and ability to absorb and degrade contaminants. “
Poplar trees are invasive because they have an extensive, fast growing, and shallow root system
That doesn’t make them invasive,,,it makes them successful...
Still available in US. Banned in Europe.
Injecting some glyphosate into the trunk can work, too.
See the link at post 8.
Less obvious than girdling it, which might get you into trouble as it’s likely to be noticed when they go to cut it down.
bttt
Stupid article.
The “Tulip Poplar” is quite common in North America.
It is not “invasive”, it is “indigenous”.
(along with the Sweet Gum)
The woods are full of them.
Poplar trees are used to make furniture grade plywood.
Pssst. You didn’t hear it from me, but all you need is a sharp knife and you can ‘ring’ the tree trunk. That stops nutrients from moving up and down the trunk via the bark. If there’s a gap in the bark all the way around it, it will die.
Again, you didn’t hear it from me!
We have a ton of Poplars in our woods. No one planted them, and they’re quite pretty - they look very much like White Birch and look nice in among the various evergreens.
The ‘Boulevard’ trees I can’t stand are those Japanese Lilac Trees. They look gorgeous for about 15 minutes in the spring when they bloom, and then they are butt-ugly the rest of the year.
Pong! See Post #33. ;)
Being subtle works because I’d be afraid that if it were obvious the tree was girdled, the city could cause trouble.
The knife sounds good.
A tree, or any plant, can be native to a specific area of the country and invasive in another.
I was looking at planting some spruces and had the choice between blue and white.
Blue are not native to NH and are susceptible to problems because of that.
White spruces are and are virtually indestructible here.
I bought the white.
Clymer neighbor somehow got some bamboo in the ground. The root is about one inch below the grass and travels everywhere. Break it off as a starter stalk and it’s over. Or let it grow to full length, chop it let it dry. Wicked hard.
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