The foliage turns yellow in the fall. As the tree ages, the bark blackens and develops furrows. Lombardy poplar trees are usually planted in the spring or fall. As this tree has shallow, spreading roots, you should plant it away from pipes, septic tanks, lawns, gardens, sidewalks, streets, and foundations.
Light
Grow Lombardy poplar trees in full sun.
Soil
Lombardy poplars will do well in soil that is sandy, loamy, or very loamy. It should be well-drained.
Water
This tree has medium water needs. About 1 inch of water every two weeks through rainfall or irrigation will suffice.
Temperature and Humidity
The Lombardy poplar can be grown in a wide variety of temperate climates, including those where the winter low temperature is far below zero. In hot and humid climates, this tree is even more susceptible to Cytospora canker.
Fertilizer
Unless the soil is very poor, the tree usually grows vigorously without any fertilizer.
Other Types of Poplar Trees
Lombardy poplar trees are not the best choice if you want to plant a long-lived, healthy tree. Consider these fast-growing North American poplar species as an alternative:
Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) , growing to a mature height of 50 feet, this is a relatively small tree, with leaves that tremble in a breeze Balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera), a very hardy tree reaching 50 to 80 feet in height Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides), a vase-shaped tree that is one of the largest eastern hardwood trees
Pruning Lombardy Poplar Trees
Little pruning is needed, as the tree will develop its own structure readily. The wood itself is weak and you can expect frequent limb breakage. You have to be careful when working around the trees because the bark is thin and easily damaged.
Propagating Lombardy Poplar Trees
It’s rare that you would want to propagate a Lombardy poplar, but if you are so inclined, it can be done by rooting a hardwood cutting:
Growing Lombardy Poplar Trees from Seed
Propagation of the tree is typically done from hardwood cuttings and not from seeds, which are not commonly available.
Potting and Repotting
Because of its vigorous and fast growth, Lombardy poplar is not suitable for container growing.
Overwintering
The tree is hardy to USDA zone 3 and does not need any winter protection.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
These trees are susceptible to borers, Cytospora canker, and bacterial wet wood, reducing their lifespan. Almost all of these trees develop stem canker disease by the time they are 15 years old. Long before they die, they may be disfigured by these pests and diseases, rendering them unattractive as landscape plants and necessitating their removal.
Common Problems with Lombardy Poplar Trees
Lombardy poplars are short-lived, often succumbing within 15 years to a number of pests and diseases. For that reason they are best planted as a temporary solution in combination with a row of longer-lived screening plants such as Colorado blue spruce trees or arborvitae trees. Removing the trees after they have served their purpose, however, can be problematic because they have an extensive, aggressively growing root system and they keep sending out suckers from their stumps even after they have been cut down.
