Populus yunnanensis

Name: Populus yunnanensis
Brand: Evergreen Trees Direct
SKU: POPULYUNNA40cm/45L
Price: 250.00 AUD
Availability: InStock

$250.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

1000 in stock

Title: 40cm/45L

40cm/45L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: Enquire within for height guide information.

Trade Customers

We supply advanced trees to landscapers, developers, architects, and councils Australia-wide. Trade clients receive fast quotes, expert advice, and access to premium stock with reliable freight.

About Populus yunnanensis

Populus yunnanensis, commonly known as Chinese Poplar, is a fast-growing deciduous tree prized for its upright form, broad rounded canopy, and rapid establishment. Growing 15–25 meters tall with a spread of 8–12 meters, it makes an impressive shade tree or windbreak for large gardens, rural landscapes, and commercial plantings.

They look excellent when used as avenue trees or shelterbelts, providing quick vertical structure and vibrant seasonal interest with glossy green leaves that turn bright golden yellow in autumn. Its strong central trunk and symmetrical habit create a striking architectural presence in open spaces.

Chinese Poplar thrives in full sun, adapts well to a range of soil types, and tolerates moderate drought and frost once established. With low maintenance requirements—only occasional pruning to maintain form—it’s a reliable choice for fast-growing shade, screening, and large-scale landscape projects.

Key Information to Know

Evergreen / Deciduous

Populus yunnanensis is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 15m - 25m Approximately

Mature Width: 8 – 12 meters

Populus yunnanensis is expected to grow Approx. 1 – 1.5 meters per year.

Frost Tolerance

Is Populus yunnanensis frost tolerant?

Populus yunnanensis is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Flowering Information

Populus yunnanensis produces long, pendulous catkins in early spring, with males showing yellow pollen-bearing tassels and females forming green seed catkins. While not ornamental, these early blooms signal the start of the tree’s vigorous spring growth.

Native Information

Is Populus yunnanensis an Australian Native? No

Populus yunnanensis is Native to Native to Yunnan Province, China, where it grows in river valleys and mountain regions.

Wildlife Value

Its spring catkins provide pollen for bees and early-season insects, while its seeds offer food for small birds. The broad, upright canopy provides valuable shade, shelter and nesting space, and the rough bark and leaf litter support insects and microfauna—enhancing biodiversity in parks, farms and large landscape plantings.

Sunlight Information

Populus yunnanensis will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preffered Soil

Populus yunnanensis performs best in moist, well-drained loam or sandy loam soils and prefers slightly acidic to neutral conditions. It thrives in deep, fertile ground but may struggle in compacted, alkaline or very dry soils unless improved with organic matter to enhance structure and moisture availability. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then maintain deep, occasional watering as the tree matures to support rapid growth, strong root development and a full, healthy canopy.

Botanical Information

Common Name: Chinese Poplar

Genus: Populus

Botanical Species: yunnanensis

Family: Salicaceae

Botanical Name: Populus yunnanensis

Landscape Uses

Rural Property Planting
Avenue Planting
Windbreak

Populus yunnanensis works in an:

Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Planting, Spacing & Care

Planting Tips: Ensuring a Strong Start

Site Selection: Full sun with space to spread.
Hole Prep: Dig twice as wide as the root ball, at the same depth.
Backfill & Watering: Backfill with original soil and water deeply.
Mulch: Keep mulch clear of the trunk to prevent rot.

5. Staking: Stake young trees in exposed areas until roots are established.

Hedging & Screening: Not recommended due to large canopy and deciduous nature.

Feature Tree: Space 5 m – 6 m apart to showcase its broad-leaf form.

Avenue Planting Trees: Space 6 m – 8 m apart for balanced rows.

Caring for Your Tree

Watering: Regular deep watering during the first 12–18 months. Becomes drought-tolerant once established.
Pruning: Light shaping when young. Remove any crossing or damaged branches annually.
Fertilising: Typically not required unless soil is very poor.

Mulching: Maintain mulch to protect roots and conserve moisture.

How to Grow in Different Soil Types

Populus yunnanensis is highly adaptable and performs well in a variety of soil conditions:

Loam: Ideal for strong, balanced growth.
Clay: Tolerates heavier soils if drainage is adequate.
Sandy soil: Will establish well with regular watering during early years.

Moist soils: Performs strongly along creeks or lower areas, though still prefers well-drained conditions.

Populus yunnanensis is expected to grow Approx. 1 – 1.5 meters per year.

Fast Growth Rate

Root Ball Dimensions (Width × Depth) For Planting

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)

Ideal Conditions

Inland QLD (Darling Downs, Central QLD)
Northern NSW (Byron, Coffs, Armidale)
Sydney & Central Coast
South Coast NSW (Illawarra to Bega)
Inland NSW / Tablelands (Orange, Bathurst, Canberra)
Melbourne & Surrounds (Metro, Bayside, Geelong, Bellarine, Mornington)
Western District & Central VIC (Ballarat, Bendigo, Hamilton)
Gippsland (Latrobe Valley, East Gippsland)
Adelaide Metro & Coastal
Adelaide Hills & Barossa

Thrives in

Full Sun

Frost Tolerance

Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Drought Tolerance

As a young tree it requires regular watering, but once established Yunnan Poplar offers moderate drought tolerance. It performs best in moist, well-drained soils but will tolerate short dry spells when supported with deep, occasional watering. Consistent moisture supports its fast growth rate and dense canopy development.

Flowering Information

Does Populus yunnanensis flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Not Applicable

Flower Colour:

Not Applicable

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is this a good shade tree?

A: Yes, it develops a large, dense canopy ideal for creating shade in open spaces or along rural boundaries.

Q: How fast does it grow?

A: Very fast – it can gain 1–2+ metres per year under ideal conditions.

Q: Does it have invasive roots?

A: Like many poplars, it can develop an extensive root system. Avoid planting near pipes, paved areas, or foundations.

Q: Does it require much maintenance?

A: Minimal. Occasional pruning when young to establish form, then very low maintenance.

youtube