Populus simonii – Simon Poplar - Evergreen Trees Direct

Populus simonii – Simon Poplar

$280.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 40cm/45L

40cm/45L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: 2.5m - 3.2m approx.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 12m to 15m

Mature Width: 4m to 6m

Populus simonii – Simon Poplar is expected to grow 1m to 2m per year (fast).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Populus simonii – Simon Poplar

Populus simonii, the Simon Poplar, is a deciduous tree with a narrow columnar habit and a strong central leader. Fine branching carries glossy green leaves, triangular to diamond shaped, on slender stems. The canopy turns clear yellow through autumn before leaf fall, leaving a slim vertical outline over winter.

Plant it in full sun in soil that drains freely and holds moisture while the roots take hold. It suits cool temperate and inland districts, handles frost and exposed windy sites, and copes with dry spells once settled. Growth runs about one to two metres a year under good conditions.

Windbreaks, boundary lines, screening and avenues are its usual work, particularly on larger residential blocks, farms and commercial sites. The narrow crown builds height and shelter without giving up much ground space. For a buyer who needs vertical structure in a hurry, few trees establish faster or hold a tidier line.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Simon Poplar

What is a Simon Poplar?

Simon Poplar is the common name for Populus simonii, a deciduous tree from northern China in the willow family. It grows with a narrow, upright form and a single dominant leader, carrying small glossy green leaves on fine twiggy branching. Inconspicuous catkins appear in spring, and the foliage colours yellow in autumn before dropping.

How big does Simon Poplar grow?

In Australian conditions expect roughly 15 to 20 metres in height with a narrow crown around 4 to 6 metres wide. The proportions stay upright rather than spreading, so the tree gains height well before it gains any real width. Trees in deep, moist soil with full sun reach the upper end of that range.

How fast does Simon Poplar grow?

Growth is fast, around one to two metres a year once the tree is established and watered through its first couple of summers. That rate makes it a common choice where shelter or screening is needed quickly. Growth slows as the tree approaches mature height, and it holds its narrow shape without needing to be trained.

Is Simon Poplar frost tolerant?

Yes. It is a genuinely cold hardy tree and handles hard frost without damage, which is why it performs well in cool temperate and inland districts such as the Central Tablelands, Victorian high country and the ACT. Being deciduous, it drops its leaves before the coldest weather arrives, so frost has little to work on.

How far apart should I plant Simon Poplars for a screen?

For a dense informal screen, plant one to 1.5 metres apart. For a windbreak row, go to two to three metres apart. Used as a feature tree, allow three to four metres between plants so the full form can develop, and for avenue planting space them three metres apart for a uniform line.

Does Simon Poplar have invasive roots?

Like most poplars, the root system is vigorous and moisture seeking. Keep it well clear of sewer lines, water pipes, paving, pools and house footings, allowing at least 10 to 15 metres. On open rural ground or in a broad verge that vigour is an advantage, since it anchors the tree against wind and stabilises soil.

How do I care for Simon Poplar?

Water deeply through the first two summers, then rainfall usually carries it. Mulch the root zone, keeping mulch off the trunk. Prune only for structure while the tree is young, removing competing leaders and any crossing limbs, and take out damaged wood in late winter. Suckers can appear near the base and are easiest removed while soft.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

View full details

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Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Screening or Privacy
Windbreak
Avenue Planting

Populus simonii – Simon Poplar works in an:

Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Contemporary / Architectural Garden – striking forms for bold design statements.
Heritage / Traditional Garden – timeless, classic plantings for period homes.
Woodland Garden – layered, naturalistic design under dappled light.

Is Populus simonii – Simon Poplar Evergreen or Deciduous?

Populus simonii – Simon Poplar is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 12m to 15m

Mature Width: 4m to 6m

Populus simonii – Simon Poplar is expected to grow 1m to 2m per year (fast).

Growth Rate of Populus simonii – Simon Poplar

Populus simonii – Simon Poplar is expected to grow 1m to 2m per year (fast).

They are considered to have a:

Fast Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Populus simonii – Simon Poplar

Is Populus simonii – Simon Poplar frost tolerant?

Populus simonii – Simon Poplar is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Does Populus simonii – Simon Poplar Flower?

Populus simonii does not produce ornamental flowers. It forms small, inconspicuous catkins in spring, with the tree valued instead for its rapid growth, upright form and distinctive heart-shaped foliage rather than its flowering display.

Does Populus simonii – Simon Poplar flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Not Applicable

Flower Colour:

Yellow

Is Populus simonii – Simon Poplar an Australian Native Tree?

No

Populus simonii – Simon Poplar is Native to Northern China and Mongolia, where Populus simonii grows naturally across cool inland regions and open woodland landscapes.

What is the Wildlife Value of Populus simonii – Simon Poplar ?

Its dense canopy and branching structure provide shelter and nesting habitat for small birds, while the foliage supports a range of beneficial insects. This structural habitat helps strengthen local biodiversity, particularly in larger gardens and open landscapes where fast-growing trees play an important ecological role.

How much Sunlight does Populus simonii – Simon Poplar need?

Populus simonii – Simon Poplar will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preferred Soil?

Populus simonii performs best in well-drained loam soils with consistent moisture and a neutral pH. It will also tolerate sandy soils if enriched with organic matter to improve water retention. Avoid very dry, compacted or poorly drained sites unless improved, as these conditions can limit growth and longevity. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then reduce watering as the tree matures.

Is Populus simonii – Simon Poplar Drought Tolerant?

Is Populus simonii – Simon Poplar Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it requires regular deep watering to establish a strong root system. Once established, Populus simonii shows moderate drought tolerance, performing reliably through dry periods when planted in suitable soils, though it benefits from occasional supplementary watering during extended heat.

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How To Plant Your Populus simonii – Simon Poplar

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Populus simonii – Simon Poplar

Hedging and screening: 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 80 centimetres apart for a tighter formal hedge.

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Populus simonii – Simon Poplar is expected to grow 1m to 2m per year (fast).

Fast Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Populus simonii – Simon Poplar

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Tip prune in late winter and again in summer to build dense growth. For a formal hedge, light shaping two to three times a year keeps lines crisp.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional inspection for psyllids or scale in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Populus simonii – Simon Poplar in Different Soil

Populus simonii performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How fast does Populus simonii grow?
A: It is fast growing and commonly adds around 1m–2m per year under suitable conditions.

Q: Is Populus simonii suitable for screening and windbreaks?
A: Yes, it is widely used for screening and shelter planting due to its upright form and quick establishment.

Q: Is it drought-tolerant?
A: Once established, it has good drought tolerance but benefits from occasional deep watering during extended dry periods.

Q: Does it tolerate frost?
A: Yes, it is frost tolerant and performs reliably in cold inland and cool temperate regions.