Pappel

Pappel is the common name in German for several species of poplar trees in the genus Populus, in the family Salicaceae. In botany, poplars include black poplar (Populus nigra), white poplar (Populus alba), gray poplar (Populus × canescens) and the aspens (Populus tremula in Europe, Populus tremuloides in North America). Balsam poplars (Populus balsamifera) and cottonwoods (Populus deltoides) are also referred to under the broader term in many regions, as are various hybrid cultivars used in forestry and landscaping.

Poplars are fast-growing deciduous trees. They typically have tall, straight trunks and broad, shallow root systems. Leaves are varied but often rounded or lobed; bark becomes fissured with age. Most species are dioecious, producing separate male and female catkins in spring; pollen is wind-dispersed.

Native to the Northern Hemisphere, poplars inhabit temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. They prefer moist, well-drained soils and are common along rivers and floodplains. They are among the primary pioneer trees, rapidly colonizing disturbed sites.

Uses include timber and pulp due to fast growth; wood is light and soft, used in paper production, plywood, and crates. They are also planted as ornamental trees and windbreaks, or used in soil stabilization along waterways.

Ecology and management involve dealing with pests and diseases such as leaf rusts, canker-causing fungi, and poplar borers. Management practices include selecting resistant cultivars and monitoring root spread to avoid conflicts with infrastructure. Some populations hybridize readily, which can complicate conservation of native genotypes.

Conservation concerns focus on habitat loss, pollution, and hybridization with cultivated poplars, leading to genetic erosion. In many regions, planting programs emphasize native or locally adapted varieties.