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Poplar

For the place see Poplar, London.

Cottonwood
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Salicales
Family: Salicaceae
Genus: Populus
Species
  • Populus deltoides - cottonwood
  • Populus grandidentata - bigtooth aspen
  • Populus heterophylla - swamp cottonwood
  • Populus tremuloides - quaking aspen

Populus is a genus of trees which includes the cottonwoods, poplars, and aspens, all of which are sometimes termed poplars. The "yellow poplar" or "tulip poplar" is not a poplar, but is the tuliptree.

Poplars are deciduous, and turn bright gold to yellow before their leaves fall. Like willows, many poplars have very strong and invasive root systems, so they must not be planted too close to houses or waterpipes as they will crack walls and pipes in their search for moisture.