--Characteristics--
A medium-sized, fast-growing suckering tree with highly ornamental foliage. Native to western and southern Europe, it was introduced into Britain shortly after the last Ice Age. The large, almost maple-like leaves are covered in white down, which remains on the underside of the leaf throughout the season. The contrast between the dark upper leaves and the woolly-white underside creates a beautiful effect in even the slightest breeze.
Site and soil
The White Poplar does well on most soils, including chalk, and in wet areas. It is tolerant of coastal salt spray and winds.
Height and spread
Below are the approximate stages of growth, assuming sited in suitable conditions for this species;
After 10 years: 9m x 4m
After 20 years: 15m x 7m
Leaf and bark
The leaves are large, to 10cm, and maple-like with five lobes. Young leaves are covered with a white hairy down, which gradually fades from the upper surface, but is retained on the underside throughout the season. The upper surface becomes dark green, turning yellow before leaf fall in autumn. Young shoots are covered with the same white down, which is gradually worn away as the season advances. The bark is smooth and white or grey, with darker diamond-shaped marks.
Flower, seed and fruit
The flowers are catkins borne in late winter and early spring. The White Poplar is dioecious, male and female catkins being borne on separate trees. Male catkins are red, females green, the latter producing masses of fluffy seeds which are dispersed by the wind in June. When bought in quantity there is a good chance both sexes will be represented.
Uses
Shelter belt; an attractive ornamental specimen tree for parks, large gardens and coastal areas.
Wildlife
The White Poplar supports a range of insects, butterflies and moths.
--Plant Protection--
--Planting & Care--
Aftercare
The White Poplar is not usually pruned.
The main reasons for buying protection is to protect the plants against:
- Pests
- Spraying
- Strimming
Pests
When it comes to deciding what protection to choose the golden rule is to choose the product dependent on which pest you are protecting against. The below will help you in deciding what height of protection you will need.
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| Vole, Mice 20cm |
Rabbit 60cm |
Hare 75cm |
Roe Deer, Muntjac 1.20m |
Fallow Deer 1.50m |
| Pest & Minimum Protection Height | Protection Type Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants. |
Support Required Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites. |
![]() Vole, Mice 20cm |
Vole Guard 20cm |
None required |
| Pest & Minimum Protection Height | Protection Type Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants. |
Support Required Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites. |
| Sorted by price; lowest to highest | ||
![]() Rabbit 60cm |
Spiral Guard 60cm x 38mm, 60cm x 50mm |
Bamboo Cane 90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbs |
| Tubex Easywrap 60cm x 50-65mm |
Bamboo Cane 90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbs |
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| Mesh Guard with Spray Shield 60cm x 130mm |
2 x Bamboo Canes 90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbs |
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| Tubex Fruitwrap 60cm x 65-80mm |
Bamboo Cane 90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbs |
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| Tubex Ecostart 60cm x 57-73cm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mm |
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| Tubex Tree Shelter 60cm x 73-105mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mm |
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| Tubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube 60cm x 80-110mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mm |
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| Tubex Treeguard Mesh Tube 60cm x 80-110mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mm |
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| Tubex Shrub Shelter 60cm x 130-160mm, 60cm x 144-200mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mm |
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| Tubex Shrub Shelterguard Mesh Tube 60cm x 130-160mm, 60cm x 170-200mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mm |
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| Tubex Treeguard Mesh Tube for Shrubs 60cm x 130-160mm, 60cm x 170-200mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mm |
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| Pest & Minimum Protection Height | Protection Type Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants. |
Support Required Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites. |
| Sorted by price; lowest to highest | ||
![]() Hare 75cm |
Tubex Easywrap 75cm x 50-65mm |
Bamboo Cane 90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs, 14-16lbs or 1.20m x 20-22lbs |
| Spiral Guard 75cm x 50mm |
Bamboo Cane 90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs, 14-16lbs or 1.20m x 20-22lbs |
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| Tubex Fruitwrap 75cm x 65-80mm |
Bamboo Cane 90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs, 14-16lbs or 1.20m x 20-22lbs |
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| Tubex Ecostart 75cm x 57-73mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mm |
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| Tubex Tree Shelter 75cm x 73-105mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mm |
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| Tubex Combitube 75cm x 73-105mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mm |
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| Tubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube 90cm x 80-110mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mm |
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| Tubex Treeguard Mesh Tube 75cm x 80-110mm, 90cm x 80-110mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mm |
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| Tubex Shrub Shelter 75cm x 130-160mm, 75cm x 144-200mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mm |
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| Pest & Minimum Protection Height | Protection Type Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants. |
Support Required Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites. |
| Sorted by price; lowest to highest | ||
![]() Roe Deer/Muntjac 1.20m |
Tubex Tree Shelter 1.20m x 73-105mm, 1.20m x 80-120mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mm |
| Tubex Combitube 1.20m x 73-105mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mm |
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| Tubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube 1.20m x 80-110mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mm |
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| Tubex Treeguard Mesh Tube 1.20m x 80-110mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mm |
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| Galvanised Mesh Tree Guard 1.20m x 300mm |
Machine Rounded Tree Stake 1.20m x 50mm, 1.50m x 50mm |
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| Pest & Minimum Protection Height | Protection Type Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants. |
Support Required Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites. |
| Sorted by price; lowest to highest | ||
Fallow Deer1.50m |
Tubex Tree Shelter 1.50m x 80-120mm, 1.80m x 80-120mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mm |
| Tubex Combitube 1.50m x 80-120mm, 1.80m x 80-120mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mm |
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| Tubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube 1.50m x 80-110mm, 1.80m x 80-110mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mm |
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| Tubex Treeguard Mesh Tube 1.50m x 80-110mm, 1.80m x 80-110mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mm |
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| Galvanised Mesh Tree Guard 1.80m x 300mm, 1.80m x 600mm |
Machine Rounded Tree Stake 1.80m x 60mm |
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Spraying
Tubex tree shelters offer the benefit of not only protecting against animal damage, they also ensure that herbicides do not come into contact with the plants during spraying.
The main reason for spraying is weed control, however, there are other options available to suppress weeds, such as weed control matting.
Strimming
Young plants should be protected from damage caused when strimming. To protect plants solely for strimming, our strimmer guards are the ideal product.





