Downy poplar facts for kids
The Downy Poplar (scientific name: Populus heterophylla) is a type of large tree. People also call it the Swamp Poplar or Swamp Cottonwood. It's part of the poplar family, which includes many different kinds of poplars. This tree is special because it can grow in very wet places. Many other native poplar trees can't handle so much water. The Downy Poplar is currently listed as "least concern" on the IUCN Red List. This means it is not in danger of disappearing.
Quick facts for kids Downy poplar |
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P. heterophylla
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Contents
What Does the Downy Poplar Look Like?
The Swamp Poplar is a tall tree. It can grow to be 50 to 100 feet (about 15 to 30 meters) high. Its trunk and branches are light to medium gray. The trunk has deep grooves, making it look rough.
The leaves of this tree grow in an alternating pattern. They fall off each year, which means the tree is deciduous. Each leaf is about 4 to 6 inches long and 3 to 4 inches wide. The top side of a mature leaf is medium to dark green. The bottom side is a lighter, pale green. The leaf stems, called petioles, are 2 to 3 inches long. They are usually pale green or pale yellow.
How Does it Reproduce?
The Downy Poplar uses wind for pollination. This means the wind carries pollen from one tree to another. The tree flowers in April. Its fruits then appear from May to June.
Where Does the Downy Poplar Live?
The Downy Poplar grows naturally in warm parts of North America. It is not super common anywhere, but you can find it in many places.
Its Home in North America
This tree likes wet forests found in low-lying areas. You can find the Swamp Cottonwood along the east coast of the United States. Its range goes from Connecticut down to Georgia. It also grows in northwestern Florida and west into Louisiana. You can also spot it in the Mississippi valley, Ohio, and southern Michigan.
What Kind of Soil Does it Like?
Downy Poplars usually grow in heavy clay soils. However, they can also be found at the edges of swamps. They do not grow directly inside the swamps. These trees grow best where the water underground is close to the surface. This water should stay near the surface for most of the year. It can drop for only about two to three months.
What Kind of Weather Does it Need?
The Downy Poplar lives in places with a humid climate. This means the air usually has a lot of moisture. The amount of rain this tree gets depends on where it is.
For example, in Indiana, the tree gets about 35 inches (890 mm) of rain each year. But in Louisiana, it gets much more rain. There, the average annual rainfall is about 59 inches (1500 mm). The average yearly temperatures also change. In the northern parts of its range, it's about 50°F (10°C). In the southern parts, it's warmer, around 70°F (21°C).
Why Isn't it Used More?
The Downy Poplar does not have many special uses. It also doesn't have much commercial value. This is because it is very similar to the Eastern Cottonwood. The Eastern Cottonwood grows faster and is easier to cultivate.
