The Lombardy Poplar is a fast growing tree with a narrow, upright canopy. Widely used as a street tree, privacy screen, or windbreak the Lombardy Poplar is extremely popular. This columnar tree offers almost instant elegance throughout the US, growing in zones 3 to 9!

Few trees offer a faster green screen. With a growth rate of about 6 feet per year you won't wait long for this tree to fill in where you need it. Although the Lombardy poplar is not an evergreen, the close, dense branches still offer coverage in winter. And the light penetration from the fallen leaves will actually help heat up your home in the cold of winter, saving you money on those heating bills.

Key Features:

• Grows throughout most of the US in zones as cold as 3 and as warm as 9!
• Insanely fast growing. This tree easily grows 5 or 6 feet in a year once established and we have had reports of it growing even faster!
• Shape. This tall, upright, columnar tree is uniquely elegant. It is hard to find large trees to fit into narrow spaces. Look no further with the Lombardy Poplar. With a width of about 10 to 12 feet this tree fits in even small yards.

Pro Tip: Boosting that fast growth rate: Plant your Lombardy Poplar tree in full sun, fertilize it each spring with balanced slow release fertilizer, and water well during establishment and periods of drought especially in summer to get the quickest growth rate.

How Do I Prune A Lombardy Poplar?

This low maintenance tree can be pruned to maintain shape and dead or damaged branches can be removed to keep a clean and healthy look. Prune in the winter months during dormancy for best results.

How To Use A Lombardy

This tree is popular for lining roadways, used as garden borders or planted as a focal point in a larger landscape.

Is This Tree A Fast Grower?

The poplar is a fast growing tree growing at a rate of up to 6 feet per year.

When planting your Lombardy Poplar tree be sure you have the right location and conditions for your new tree to thrive. Spring and fall are ideal times to plant. However, if you avoid extreme temperatures you can plant your tree almost any time of the year.

Lombardy Poplars thrive in full sun and are adaptable to almost any well-drained soil. This poplar is able to tolerate wet soil, but is also drought tolerant. Water deeply 2-3 times weekly with a hose for the first 3 months after planting. This helps the tree's roots establish properly and grow downward rather than staying shallow in search of water. You want to continue to keep the ground moist, especially for the first year in order to get the fastest growth. Try using a Treegator and/or adding 2 inches of mulch to your young tree to reduce hand watering needs. Water your mature tree in dry periods for best growth. Fertilize in early spring with our slow release fertilizer. Poplars don't generally require pruning, but, if needed, prune when they are dormant in winter or early spring to remove any dead, dying, or crowded branches, or to maintain shape. 

Prevent disease and pests is by providing the best care for your plants. Proper location choice, watering, and fertilization are the keys to your success.

Lombardy Poplar trees grow fast! They are perfect for adding a privacy screen or windbreak to your yard.  For a quick green screen plant your poplars about about 6 to 8 feet apart. For a windbreak plant about 5 to 6 feet apart.  If you want a more natural look and almost instant privacy, stagger the trees. Give your trees at least as much room from a sidewalk, driveway, or your home.  

The Lombardy Poplar is also a nice street tree or focal tree especially for larger houses with small yards.

For additional options, be sure to browse our Thuja Green Giant as well as our Privacy hedge and Privacy tree collection.