All Trees

Poplar Tree Varieties

Poplar trees are fast-growing and adaptable to different changes in the soil. Most trees of this variety can reach a mature height between 40 and 60ft. The widths vary per poplar type but range anywhere from 10ft to 40ft. Most poplars do well in US hardiness zones 3-9
The Lombardy poplar tree is a beauty. Its branches grow upward, making this tree perfect if you want to add some privacy to your backyard or any wooded area. The height of the Lombardy poplar also makes the tree a natural wind blocker. It does better in drier soils but needs full sunlight for maximum health. In these conditions, this tree may grow up to 6ft annually! Its preference for dry soil also means this tree will do well in a draught. The foliage of the Lombardy poplar stays a bright green throughout most of the year, but even when the leaves fall, the dense branches and leaves will still allow for privacy.

The tulip poplar is perhaps the most beautiful of these three varieties

At the beginning of the year, it has bright green leaves which start turning yellow, and in the autumn are a rich gold color. The branches widen out at the base and get thinner towards the top. Tulip poplars are fragrant trees that provide nectar for hummingbirds and various birds. The blooms for which the tulip poplar is named are large golden blossoms that resemble tulips. The cup-shaped blossoms are heavy with nectar and flood the air with a floral scent when they are blooming. It is also very pest resistant compared to other poplars and trees in general.

The hybrid poplar is produced when pollen from one tree is spread and fertilized. The branches of this tree grow up into an oval shape. The hybrid poplar is the fastest-growing poplar and can grow up to an incredible 8ft per year. It is excellent to plant for adding some natural shade to your yard. This tree can also handle various soils and is almost wholly disease and pest-resistant. The hybrid poplar can also help stabilize eroding land because it has a dense, complicated root system. Like most poplars, this one can also be planted to block people and livestock from harsh winds.

Ironwood Tree

The North American Ironwood or Carpinus Carolina is a hardwood tree found between northern Florida to southern Ontario that prefers rich, moist soil. It grows to 30 to 45 feet tall, with a crown 30 feet in diameter, with a 10-inch trunk, and is not considered mature until it's between 25 and 100 years old. It's sometimes called Blue Beech, American Hornbeam, or Eastern hop hornbeam and muscle wood. Ironwood is a small, elegant tree. These tiny leaves are chartreuse in color in the spring, but they range from mild orange to yellow to red in the fall. The tree's body is fluted and smooth and is greyish-green in color.

The Ironwood Tree is a member of the birch family; this tree grows very slowly, usually about one foot each year. It does best in moist bottomland forests and can be found in swamps and near streams and rivers. The tree grows well, whether in full shade or sun. It has deep roots and can stand up in the face of strong wind. Its relatively small size makes it ideal for most gardens. Many people plant it in courtyards. It's also perfect for creating shade for a garden bench. Its rounded, sculptural trunk adds to its overall beauty.

Both male and female flowers blossom on the same tree in the spring. The female flowers are white and found at the branches' ends. The male flowers are small and green and bloom along the smaller branches. The female flowers transform into small nuts that change from green to brown in fall. It is ideal for use as a shade or lawn tree. Many use it as a hedge or screen because of its dense summer foliage. When it is used in large landscapes, it looks great when it is planted in groups. Ironwoods used its hardwood to make bowls, ox yokes, and tool handles by the early Americans.

The tree is a magnet for the creatures of nature. Four types of butterflies lay their larvae in these trees. Deer love to nibble on its leaves and twigs. Small animals such as grouse, pheasant, and quail are drawn to its fruit. Birds, butterflies, moths, and squirrels eat from these trees as well. This tree will add beauty and shade to your property, consider Ironwood. You will be glad you did.