Black Poplar

The Black Poplar is a large deciduous tree belonging to the willow family, Salicaceae. Native to Europe, southwest and central Asia, and northwest Africa, it is known for its dark, deeply fissured bark and large, triangular to diamond-shaped leaves. This magnificent tree thrives in riparian habitats, floodplains, and damp woodlands, playing a crucial role in aquatic and riverine ecosystems by stabilizing riverbanks and providing essential habitats for numerous wildlife species, including insects, birds, and mammals. Due to habitat loss and hybridization, true native specimens have become increasingly rare across its historical range.