Scientific Family
Salicaceae
Synonyms
Populus aurea, Populus cercidiphylla, Populus tremula subsp. tremuloides, Populus tremuloides var. aurea, (see Seinet for more)
Plant type
Trees
Riparian
Yes
Plant Description
Origin
Native
Upright with spreading branches and a rounded crown. Admired for its white bark and brilliant fall color change.
Medium tree, spreading branches; whitish bark which grays with age; resinous buds. Leaves smooth on flat stems, oval, broader than long, finely toothed, rounded at bases, pointed tips; whitish-green beneath, dark green above. Catkins densely flowered.
Height
40 feet
Width
15 feet
Habitat
Habitat description
Found in wet or intermittently wet areas in woodlands and forests and along meadow edges.
Plant Community
Riparian
Low elevation
4200
High elevation
9000
Leaves
Leaf color
Dark green, whitish-green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Triangular
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Leaf Drop
Deciduous
Leaves to 3 inches long, whitish-green beneath, shiny dark green above, circular to triangular with pointed tips, minutely toothed, borne on slightly flattened stalks. Brilliant golden or orange fall color. Winter buds reddish-brown, resinous.
Flowers
Flower color
Yellow, green, brown
Flower shape
Inconspicuous
Tubular
No
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
June
Flowers tiny and inconspicuous in catkins. Catkins elongate before the leaves expand and are 1/2 to 2-1/4 inches long. Male and female catins on separate trees.
Flower clusters
Elongated
Fruit
Fruit color
Light green or pale brown
Fruit type
Capsule
Narrowly ovoid, 2-valved capsules bearing 6 to 8 cottony seeds with a single female catkin bearing 70 to 100 capsules.