Everything You Need To Know about Superior Hybrid Poplar Trees

Written by Brenda Woods Updated 11/11/2024

Brenda Woods

Brenda Woods is an accomplished writer and managing editor with more than two decades of publishing experience. She has spent over 10 years covering home services and home improvement projects. Brenda supports her team in evaluating dozens of home service providers, surveying and speaking to hom…

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Superior hybrid poplar trees are an excellent choice for anyone hoping to grow a shade tree or living privacy screen quickly. These towering trees can grow 5–8 feet per year until reaching a maximum height of around 50 feet.

Superior hybrid poplars are so low-maintenance that they’re practically hassle-free trees. They’re disease-resistant and can grow in a wide range of soils and light conditions. But with Superior hybrid poplars, it’s not all about practicality—in fall, the foliage is a beautifully vivid yellow. Here’s what to know about superior hybrid poplar trees.

Superior Hybrid Poplar Trees at a Glance

• Extremely fast-growing
• Excellent privacy screens
• Disease-resistant
• Spectacular yellow leaves in fall
• Produce no cottony seeds
• Attract deer

Appearance

Superior hybrid poplar trees grow in a pyramidal form, with triangular leaves that are 3–6 inches long and silvery-green on the top, with paler green undersides. In fall, the foliage is brilliant yellow, and their leaves drop in winter.

The trees grow to be 40–50 feet tall with a spread of 30 feet. They reach this height quickly, increasing by 5–8 feet per year.

Superior Hybrid Poplar Tree Specifications

Hardiness Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones indicate the regions where plants can grow based on minimum winter temperatures. Superior hybrid poplars grow in Zones 3–8, across almost the entire country. They do not grow in areas like the coldest parts of Minnesota or the hottest parts of southern Texas and Florida.

Planting

The best time to plant a superior hybrid poplar is during spring or fall. We recommend following these steps:

• Choose a planting site with full sun or partial shade.
• Clear away any turfgrass, weeds, or debris.
• Dig a hole that is the same depth as the root ball and three times as wide.
• Remove the superior hybrid poplar from its container and spread the roots gently with your fingers or a small spade.
• Begin backfilling the hole, then stop halfway and add water. Once it drains away, finish backfilling the hole.
• Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch around the root zone to help conserve moisture, being careful not to let it touch the trunk.

Growing Conditions

Superior hybrid poplar trees are very low-maintenance and adaptable to a wide range of soils and levels of sunlight.

• Sun and Shade: These trees flourish in full sun or at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day. However, they can also grow in partial shade.
• Soil: Superior hybrid poplar trees are highly adaptable to a wide range of soils, with a preference for alkaline, acidic, and wet soils.
• Watering: These trees require about an inch of water per week, accounting for the forecast rainfall. They may need more frequent watering during hot, dry summer spells.
• Fertilizing: Do not fertilize your superior hybrid poplar tree during planting or during the first season after planting. Feed your tree annually in the fall, using 1/2 pound of fertilizer with a 1/2-inch trunk diameter at the base. If the tree is larger, use 1 pound for each inch.
• Pruning: Superior hybrid poplar trees do not require any pruning since they naturally grow into an oval shape. If you want to prune a branch, do so in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.

FAQ About Superior Hybrid Poplar Trees

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