Columnar Poplar

Columnar Poplar (Populus simonii 'Fastigiata') is the fastest way to put a tall green wall along a boundary. It grows to about 12m tall but only 3m wide, so a row of them screens a two storey view without taking any real width out of the garden. Neat heart shaped leaves turn butter yellow in autumn, then drop to let winter light back in.

Why you'll love it

• Height in a hurry. Few trees put on useful screening height as quickly, which matters when you are blocking a new build next door.
• Very narrow footprint. At roughly 12m by 3m it fits along a fence line where a spreading tree never could.
• Butter yellow autumn colour. A row turns as one, which makes a stronger seasonal statement than a single specimen tree.
• Tolerates hard sites. Frost hardy, heat tolerant, wind tolerant, and one of the few screening trees that accepts ground which stays wet after rain.

Where it works best

Screening and privacy. Plant 2m apart for a tall narrow screen. The columns overlap into a solid band of foliage within a few seasons, though the screen drops away over winter.

Windbreaks and rural blocks. A single row at 2m spacing filters wind across a paddock, driveway or house yard. This is a tree for space, not for a small courtyard.

Driveways and avenues. Spaced 3m to 4m apart along a drive the upright forms make a formal avenue quickly, and the narrow crowns keep the driveway itself clear.

Growing Columnar Poplar in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun and open ground. It suits cool temperate, warm temperate, Mediterranean and arid gardens, and colours best where autumn nights are genuinely cold. It is not a tree for the tropics or the humid subtropics.

Soil. Almost anything, including heavy clay and damp low lying ground that defeats other trees. Poplars are thirsty, so they perform best where moisture is available.

Water and feed. Deep soak weekly through the first two summers to build a strong root system. After that it looks after itself in most districts. Feeding is rarely needed, since the growth rate is already high.

Pruning and root management. Little pruning is required beyond removing damaged wood in winter. The roots are the thing to plan for: they are vigorous and will sucker, so keep the tree at least 10m from pipes, paving, pools and house footings, and mow or pull suckers as they appear.

What to expect when it arrives

This poplar is grown in one size, a 45L container tree, which gives you a strong straight leader and enough root to grow away fast in its first season. It is a sensible size for a screening row.

Trees travel upright and are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Arriving bare in winter is normal for a deciduous tree. Water deeply through the first two summers and expect strong height gain from the first full spring. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Compare other tall and narrow screening plants.
• Read about the best fast growing screening trees.
• See suitable plants for windbreaks on exposed blocks.
• Browse the full deciduous tree range.

Common questions

Will the roots damage pipes or paving?

They can. Poplar roots are vigorous and travel a long way, so give this tree at least 10m of clearance from services, paving, pools and footings. On a small suburban block, choose a different screening tree.

Does it sucker?

Yes, particularly if the roots are cut or the tree is stressed. Suckers appear in lawn and garden beds and are easily mown or pulled while young, but plan on doing it each year.

Will it screen in winter?

No. It is deciduous, so the screen thins to bare stems for a couple of months. If you need cover every day of the year, plant an evergreen instead.