Populus Alba (White Poplar)

Family: Salicaceae
Common Names: White Poplar, Silver Poplar

Plant Description

Populus alba is a fast-growing, deciduous tree that can reach heights of up to 20 meters (65 ft) with a spread of 12 meters (39 ft). Noted for its wildlife-friendly nature, it thrives in well-drained soils ranging from light sandy to heavy clay, and prefers sunny, open areas. Hardy to zone 3, it is tolerant of maritime exposure and poor, dry soils, though it struggles in shade.

The tree is dioecious, meaning individual trees are either male or female, requiring both for seed production. The flowers appear in early spring, before the leaves.

Botanical Features

• Leaves: Simple, alternate, 2-4 inches long, shiny green on the upper side and silvery-white woolly beneath, with coarse teeth or maple-like lobes.

• Flowers: Catkins, 2-3 inches long, pendulous, with male and female flowers on separate trees.

• Fruit: Small, cottony seeds borne in dehiscent capsules, maturing from late spring to early summer.

• Bark: Smooth, milky greenish-white when young, aging to reveal lenticels and shallow ridges.

• Form: Straight trunk with a narrow crown; capable of forming thickets through coppicing.

Edible Uses

• Leaves: Rich in Vitamin C.

• Inner Bark: Can be dried, powdered, and added to flour as a famine food, traditionally only used in times of scarcity.

Medicinal Properties

Populus alba bark and leaves have a long history of medicinal use, particularly for their anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and tonic properties.

Therapeutic Actions:

• Anodyne (pain-relieving)

• Anti-inflammatory

• Antiseptic

• Astringent

• Diuretic

• Tonic

Medicinal Uses:

• Internal:
  The bark, rich in salicylates (the natural precursor to aspirin), is used for:

  • Rheumatism, arthritis, gout, and lower back pain

  • Urinary tract issues

  • Liver and digestive disorders

  • Anorexia and general debility

  • Menstrual cramps and fever reduction

• External:

  • Treats chilblains, hemorrhoids, infected wounds, and sprains.

The bark is typically harvested from coppiced branches, dried, and stored for medicinal use.

• Leaves:
  Used traditionally for bone and tooth ailments (caries).

• Twigs:
  Considered depurative, helping to purify and detoxify the system.

Summary

Populus alba is not just a striking ornamental tree but also a valuable herbal remedy. From treating arthritis and urinary complaints to soothing wounds and reducing fevers, its bark and leaves serve multiple roles in natural medicine, rooted in both European folk traditions and modern herbal practice.