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Populus alba L.

Reference
Sp.Pl. [Linnaeus] 1034 (1753)
Conservation Code
Not threatened
Naturalised Status
Alien to Western Australia
Name Status
Current

Tree, 3-20 m high. Lateritic loam over granite or grey sand over sandy clay. Woodland, paddocks, creeklines.

Helen Coleman, Descriptive Catalogue, 16 October 1998

Distribution

IBRA Regions
Jarrah Forest, Swan Coastal Plain, Warren.
IBRA Subregions
Northern Jarrah Forest, Perth, Warren.
IMCRA Regions
WA South Coast.
Local Government Areas (LGAs)
Albany, Harvey, Manjimup, Murray, Perth.

Management Notes (for the Swan NRM Region)

General Biology. Growth form. Tree. Reproduction. Seed, root suckers. Dispersal. Local dispersal by root suckers. Any seed produced is dispersed widely by wind and water. Vegetative regeneration strategy. Resprouts, produces root suckers, stem layering. Woody structure. Diffuse porous. Seedbank persistence. Possibly little viable seed produced.

Notes. Deciduous in winter. Male and female flowers occur on separate trees (dioecious). Rarely recruits from seed in Australia.

Additional information. Origin. Europe, north-western Africa, the Canary Islands, western Asia. History of use/introduction. Garden escape.

Suggested method of management and control. Apply 250 ml Access® in 15 L of diesel to base 50 cm of trunk (basal bark) or stem inject with 50% glyphosate. Treat when actively growing. Read the manufacturers' labels and material safety data sheets before using herbicides. For further information consult the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to determine the status of permits for your situation or state.

Management Calendar

Calendar Type Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Comments
Flowering   O Y Y Y O              
Active Growth Y Y O           Y Y Y Y  
Dormant     O O O Y Y O          
Optimum Treatment Y Y             Y Y Y Y  

Legend: Y = Yes, regularly, O = Occasionally, U = Uncertain, referred by others but not confirmed.

 

References

  • Brown, K. & Brooks, K. (2002) Bushland Weeds: A Practical Guide to their Management. Environmental Weeds Action Network, Greenwood.
  • Converse, C.K. (1987) Element Stewardship Abstract for Populus spp (North American invasive poplars/aspens). The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, USA. URL: http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs.html - Accessed December 2007.
  • Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G. & Cousens, R.D. (2007) Western Weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia. 2nd Edition. The Plant Protection Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park.
  • Navie, S. & Adkins, S. (2008) Environmental Weeds of Australia, An interactive identification and information resource for over 1000 invasive plants. Centre for Biological Information Technology, The University of Queensland.
  • Remaley, T. & Swearingen, J.M. (1997) White poplar, Populus alba. Alien plant invaders of natural areas - trees. URL: http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/poal1.htmvice, Washington, DC - Accessed July 2009.
  • Swearingen, J. (2009) WeedUS Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States: White Poplar (Populus alba).. URL: http://www.invasive.org/weedus/subject.html?sub=3066. - Accessed July 2009.