Lombardy Poplar Tree

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Description

Also known as Italian Poplar
Populus nigra 'Italica'

Add bold vertical structure and rapid growth to your landscape with the striking Lombardy Poplar tree. This fast-growing, columnar deciduous tree is ideal for creating instant privacy screens, windbreaks, and shade barriers—even in challenging climates.

With a mature height of 50–60 feet and a narrow spread, the Lombardy Poplar forms a dramatic upright silhouette that’s perfect for lining driveways, framing property edges, or screening undesirable views. Plant 5 feet apart for a dense windbreak or 10 feet apart for cooling summer shade.

Why Choose Lombardy Poplar?

  • Fast growth rate of 1–5 feet per year once established
  • Unique columnar shape adds vertical interest
  • Cold-hardy and adaptable to a wide range of soils
  • Natural solution for windbreaks, erosion control, and privacy screens
  • Helps lower energy costs by reducing wind exposure and adding shade
  • Golden-yellow fall color adds seasonal beauty
  • Produces inconspicuous red spring flowers but does not set messy fruit

Where and How to Grow

Lombardy Poplars thrive in full sun and are adaptable to a range of soil types, including loamy or sandy soils. Once established, they are low-maintenance and tolerate urban conditions well.

  • USDA Zones: 3–9
  • Sunlight: Full sun (6+ hours daily)
  • Mature Size: 50–60 feet tall, narrow canopy
  • Spacing: 5 feet apart for windbreaks, 10 feet apart for shade rows
  • Growth Rate: Rapid (1–5 feet/year)

These trees are commonly used in farms, large estates, parks, and rural homes—but are also effective in residential landscapes where height and form are desired with minimal horizontal spread.

An Eco-Friendly Solution

Use Lombardy Poplars as a natural alternative to fencing—great for reducing wind exposure, protecting gardens, and slowing soil erosion on sloped ground. Their dense canopy can help cool your home in summer, reducing reliance on air conditioning.

Plant Lombardy Poplar trees for fast results, striking form, and practical landscape solutions—beautiful and functional year-round.

Characteristics

Bloom Color Red
Hardiness Zone Range 3 - 9
Shade/Sun Full Sun
Soil Composition Loamy
Soil Moisture Well Drained
Soil pH Level 5.5 - 8.0

Zone Compatibility

This Variety's Zone Range 3 - 9
My Hardiness Zone ?
The USDA hardiness zones offer a guide to varieties that will grow well in certain climates. Each zone corresponds to the minimum winter temperatures experienced in a given area. Make sure that your hardiness zone lies within the zone compatibility range of this variety before ordering.

Tools & Supplies

Having the proper tools and supplies when growing your own can make the difference between a good harvest and a great harvest! Here's a list that our experts recommend for this variety.

Planting & Care

Learn all about how to grow shade trees in The Growing Guide. An entire section of our website dedicated to your growing success.

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Questions & Answers

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19 Questions
Why did you choose this?

I want/ need a wind break for my house and garden. If these grow, I'll buy more.

Fast growth

Shipping was fast

Horrible building errected in neighbors backyard. I needed fast growing trees that were slender and very tall to provide privacy and that would fit between other trees I have along that fence line.

Could I plant Lombardy Poplars as close as 8 ft to my house foundation or will the roots become a problem? I noticed there was a warning about planting hybrid poplars near a structure, but not the Lombardy.

Hello John, I have planted as close as eight feet, with no problem
EXCEPT? If your trees get as tall (40') like mine and they die? (some did as I found out, and only 20 years young!! I had to remove them from right at my gutter and I was lucky! You might not want them that close. Put them in a place that you can get to them, Ladder limbing ETC! Every couple of years I rent a lift to get up and trim my dead tops, as well as other stuff. Good tree and some of my others are fine,(planted at the same time). So plant close (5') apart so when you have to remove one it doesn't leave such a BIG hole!!! Sorry could not be more helpful, as a wind break like mine I have them three to four feet apart and all is good! Mike

How many yrs do they live? I've heard they grow fast, but also die after not too long.

Lombardy Poplars can live well beyond 20 years, especially if you institute a spray program around its 15th year to prevent bacterial canker. That is usually what shortens this tree's lifespan and it's gotten a bad rap because of it.

When should I plant these lombardy poplars in region 5b?

When the temp at night stays above freezing

will they grow in a clay soil?

Our soil is what we call gumbo, a dense black soil very similar to clay. So far the trees we planted have done quite well. They seem quite tolerant.

Is this evergreen?

No, this is a member of the willow family and drops its bright yellow leaves each fall.

Does it shed?

I’ve had mine for a year and haven’t noticed any shedding of any kind. It grew rapidly and has done beautifully!

Live in Zone 9A in Texas. Is Lombardy Poplar a good choice for us as fast growing shade tree?

You should not have any issues growing this tree in your zone just be sure to keep it watered when in intense heat.

What size are they when shipped?

Ships 1.5 - 3' tall, Bare-root.

Can she be pruned in the fall to keep away from house?

Hi John, Yes you can prune this tree to a size that is more suited for your growing area.

Should I water these everyday?

If your area receives an inch of rainfall every week or so, you won’t need to use the hose. If rainfall is insufficient, you can give your new tree a good, thorough soaking. The best way to do this is to let your garden hose trickle slowly. This gives the water a chance to soak in instead of running off. You can also use a soaker hose to water several trees at once. Give your tree enough water to soak the ground all around the roots.

Customer Reviews

33 Ratings
3.8out of 5 stars
33 Ratings

Rated 5 stars by 58% of reviewers

Rated 4 stars by 3% of reviewers

Rated 3 stars by 12% of reviewers

Rated 2 stars by 12% of reviewers

Rated 1 star by 15% of reviewers

1-10 of 33 Reviews
Rated 5 out of 5
May 14, 2025
Thrive like whoa
Ordered 4 Bare Root and planted Spring '24. All 4 survived and thrived, growing 7-12' each. Two blew over, roots pulled up during early spring '25 ground thawing from winter. Able to prop up one tree, which is now putting on leaves. The second that uprooted is trying to sprout leaves but they keep blackening. These trees propagate like crazy so I'm not too disheartened, just clipped 4-foot branches from the living trees and shoved them into the ground by the trunk. Definitely recommend staking these well for the first year or two, as the vertical growth may outpace the rooting ability.
Rated 5 out of 5
Jan 2, 2025
Great fast growing tree
Bought 15+ different trees this one is doing the best. Bought in May 2024. Arrived 2 and 1/2 feet tall. By November the tree is 7 feet tall! I am very impressed and hope it survives the winters. Will be ordering more this coming spring. I used stark bros special phosphate when planting, spreading layers as I packed dirt and added fertilizer on top.
I watered tree regularly first couple weeks then let nature do its course. Live in Chicago suburban area
Rated 5 out of 5
Jun 27, 2023
Poplar
I ordered 5 , so far so good! They were quick to deliver and they came bare , HOWEVER with the right amount of love they are happy and sprouting new leaves ...looking fuller. Thanks ! Will definitely buy plants and trees from this company!
Rated 5 out of 5
Sep 15, 2022
Awesome Trees
I love these Trees, despite the raging heat we had this summer. It grew and looks like in good health, can't wait for next year.
Rated 5 out of 5
Aug 30, 2022
Stark Bros Tree are always the best! I ordered lombardy Populars from 3 different suppliers, and Stark is far superior. From now on, only ordering from 1 supplier... Stark Bros!
6 Trees are growing as expected and healthy!
Rated 5 out of 5
Aug 10, 2022
Great trees. I planted 25 of these and all 25 are living except for one that we hit while mowing so I’d say that’s pretty good success rate given that these were shipped bare root!
Rated 5 out of 5
Jun 18, 2019
Corner/edges
I was looking for fast growing trees. I have to say this tree is it. It grew 8’ in the first summer. I planted them on the corners of the house to add landscaping and these have exceeded my expectation. I have them planted in full sun and I have crap dirt in my yard but they have done great.
Rated 5 out of 5
May 11, 2019
great buy
I purchased and received these trees last April. All except 3 made it thru the summer and Wisconsin winter, I can see that the 3 that did not make it had been badly damaged by the deer. I am looking forward to some good growth this summer to block an unsightly view. So far the trees have been well worth the money.
Rated 5 out of 5
May 28, 2018
Looking good
Planted these a few years ago and they are hearty and healthy. Growing fast and tall.
Rated 5 out of 5
May 12, 2018
Love the Lombardy Poplars
Got these last spring and have them in large pots since we are moving this year. Will plant them out this fall after the hot summer weather. They are leafed out and in excellent shape ready for the move to their permanent home.