Key Facts:
Scientific Name: Populus × canadensis ‘Highland’
Common Name: Highland Poplar
Family: Salicaceae
Height: 70-100 feet at maturity
Spread: 40-60 feet
Leaf Shape: Triangular to ovate with serrated edges
Bark Color: Grayish-brown, smooth when young, becoming more furrowed with age
Fall Foliage Color: Yellow
Growth Habit: Tall, upright, with a pyramidal to columnar form
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil Preference: Prefers well-drained soils but can tolerate a variety of soil types, including clay and sandy soils
Water Needs: Prefers moist conditions but can tolerate some drought once established
Cold Hardiness: Hardy in USDA zones 3-7
Wildlife Value: Provides habitat for birds and small mammals; contributes to erosion control in rural areas
Pest and Disease Resistance: Can be susceptible to rust, leaf spot, and cankers
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-7
Why You’ll Love It:
You’ll appreciate the Highland Poplar for its vigorous growth and adaptability. Whether you’re looking to create a fast-growing screen or windbreak, or simply fill large, open spaces with an impressive, low-maintenance tree, the Highland Poplar is an ideal choice. Its tall, majestic form provides instant impact in the landscape, while its ability to thrive in various conditions means it will continue to impress year after year.
Highland Poplar
The Highland Poplar (Populus × canadensis ‘Highland’) is a fast-growing hybrid poplar commonly used in landscaping for windbreaks, shelterbelts, and as a screen. A cross between the eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides) and European black poplar (Populus nigra), it combines the best traits of both parent species—namely rapid growth and hardiness. This tree is favored for its tall, upright form, making it a practical solution in agricultural and rural settings, as well as in larger landscapes where quick coverage is desired.
