Populus nigra 'Italica', Lombardy poplar
1 / 8
Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Populus nigra 'Italica'

Lombardy poplar

Salicaceae

Europe, western Asia, North Africa (cultivar from Lombardy, Italy)

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height40-60 feet (12-18 m)
Width10-15 feet (3-4.6 m)
Maturity12 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 9
Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Drought Tolerant
Maintenancehigh

Overview

Populus nigra 'Italica' is a strongly fastigiate deciduous tree reaching 40-60 feet (12-18 m) tall with a spread of only 10-15 feet (3-4.6 m), forming an extremely narrow, columnar silhouette. This male clone, originating in Lombardy, Italy, in the early 18th century, has nearly vertical branches that hug the trunk, producing a distinctive exclamation-point form unlike any other commonly planted tree. Bark is dark gray-brown, deeply furrowed on mature trunks. Leaves are alternate, simple, deltoid to rhombic, 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long, with crenate-serrate margins. Foliage emerges with a slight bronze tint, matures to medium green, and turns yellow in fall, though color is variable and often brief. As a male clone, 'Italica' does not produce the cottony seeds associated with female poplars. Growth rate is very fast at 36-60 inches (91-152 cm) per year, reaching near-mature height within 10-15 years. Trees are short-lived, typically 20-40 years, due to susceptibility to bacterial canker (Xanthomonas populi) and cytospora canker, which often kill trees from the top down. Canker-infected trees develop dead branch stubs and progressive crown dieback that is difficult to manage. Root suckering produces unwanted shoots, sometimes at considerable distance from the parent trunk. Wood is soft and brittle.

Native Range

The species Populus nigra is native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. The cultivar 'Italica' originated in Lombardy, Italy, in the early 18th century and is a male clone propagated vegetatively. Widely planted and naturalized in temperate regions worldwide.

Suggested Uses

Historically planted in rows as windbreaks, screens, and landscape accents, spaced 8-10 feet (2.4-3 m) apart. The narrow columnar form fits in tight spaces where width is limited. Short lifespan of 20-40 years and canker susceptibility limit long-term landscape value. Root suckering makes it problematic near gardens, lawns, and pavement. Widely planted in agricultural landscapes of the Pacific Northwest and intermountain West, where rows of Lombardy poplars are a characteristic feature.

How to Identify

Identified by its extremely narrow, columnar form with nearly vertical branches — no other commonly planted tree has this degree of fastigiation. Leaves are deltoid to rhombic, 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long, with crenate-serrate margins. Distinguished from other columnar trees by the combination of fastigiate form, alternate deltoid leaves, and deeply furrowed dark bark. Distinguished from the species Populus nigra by the strongly upright branch angle.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height40' - 60'
Width/Spread10' - 15'

Reaches mature size in approximately 12 years

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~1 weeks
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Spring
Male catkins appear in March to April before leaf emergence, reddish, 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) long. As a male clone, 'Italica' does not produce female flowers, fruit, or cottony seeds. Bloom is not ornamentally significant.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Reddish (male catkins, inconspicuous)

Foliage Description

Medium green, emerging with bronze tint

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 8.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysandsilt
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

5-8 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water regularly during the first growing season. Established trees tolerate moderate drought but perform best with consistent moisture. Plant in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct light. Tolerates a wide range of soil types and pH levels. Bacterial canker (Xanthomonas populi) and cytospora canker are the primary limitations, often killing trees within 15-25 years by progressive crown dieback from the top down. No effective treatment exists for established canker infections. Root suckers appear at varying distances from the trunk and require regular removal. Plan for replacement planting, as trees are short-lived compared to most shade trees. Consider alternative columnar trees such as Quercus robur 'Fastigiata' or Carpinus betulus 'Fastigiata' for longer-lived vertical accents.

Pruning

Prune in late winter (January through February) while dormant. Remove dead and canker-infected branches, cutting well below infected tissue into healthy wood. Disinfect pruning tools between cuts to reduce canker spread. The natural fastigiate form requires no shaping. Remove root suckers at or below ground level as they appear throughout the growing season.

Pruning Schedule

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter

Maintenance Level

high

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic