Populus yunnanensis

$250.00

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Title: 40cm/45L

40cm/45L

Current Stock Height Guides

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

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: 15m to 25m (approx.)

Mature Width: 8m to 12m

Populus yunnanensis is expected to grow 1m to 1.5m per year (approx.).

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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Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Populus yunnanensis

Populus yunnanensis, the Chinese Poplar, is a deciduous tree with an upright trunk and a broad, rounded canopy. Large glossy green leaves give it a substantial, leafy presence through the warm months, then turn bright golden yellow in autumn. The strong central trunk and even branching create a balanced, architectural shape.

Give it full sun and it will accept most soil types, from sandy loam to clay, provided water does not sit around the roots. It suits cool temperate, temperate and inland climates, tolerates frost, and handles moderate dry periods once established. Growth is about one to 1.5 metres a year.

At 15 to 25 metres tall and eight to 12 metres wide, it is planted for shade, shelterbelts, avenues and rural property boundaries. Farms, acreage blocks and large commercial sites are its natural home. For anyone who needs canopy and wind protection over open ground within a few seasons, it does the job quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Chinese Poplar

What is Populus yunnanensis?

Populus yunnanensis, known as Chinese Poplar, is a fast growing deciduous tree from south west China. It forms a straight trunk with a broad rounded crown of large glossy green leaves that turn golden yellow before falling. It is grown here mainly as a shade tree, windbreak and avenue tree on larger properties.

How big does Chinese Poplar grow?

Mature height is 15 to 25 metres with a spread of eight to 12 metres. It is a big tree with a genuinely broad canopy, so give it room away from buildings, fences and services. On deep moist soils it reaches the upper end of that range; drier sites will hold it lower.

How fast does Chinese Poplar grow?

About one to 1.5 metres a year once it settles in, making it one of the quicker options for shade or shelter on open ground. Growth is strongest in full sun with reliable moisture during the first two summers. The rate eases as the tree matures and puts more energy into trunk and branch structure.

Where does Chinese Poplar grow best in Australia?

It performs best in cool temperate, temperate and inland districts, including the tablelands of New South Wales, most of Victoria, the Adelaide Hills, southern Western Australia and Tasmania. It also does well in irrigated inland areas. Humid tropical and coastal subtropical zones are less suitable, since the tree prefers a distinct cold season.

Is Chinese Poplar frost and drought tolerant?

Yes on both counts, within limits. It is fully frost hardy and drops its foliage before winter, so cold weather causes no damage. Drought tolerance is moderate once the roots are down, though the tree performs far better with occasional deep watering through long dry summers than it does left entirely to rainfall.

How far apart should I plant Chinese Poplars for a windbreak?

For avenue planting, space them three metres apart to get an even, soft textured line. Used as individual feature trees, allow three to four metres so the full canopy can develop. For a shelterbelt on rural ground, planting toward the closer end of that range gives a denser barrier sooner.

How do I care for Chinese Poplar?

Water deeply and regularly through the first two growing seasons and mulch out to the drip line. Prune only lightly, taking out damaged limbs and shaping for a single leader while the tree is young, ideally in late winter. Watch for suckers around the base and remove them early. Otherwise it asks very little.

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.

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Type: Garden Supplies

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

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.

Is Populus yunnanensis Evergreen or Deciduous?

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

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 15m to 25m (approx.)

Mature Width: 8m to 12m

Populus yunnanensis is expected to grow 1m to 1.5m per year (approx.).

Growth Rate of Populus yunnanensis

Populus yunnanensis is expected to grow 1m to 1.5m per year (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

Fast Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Populus yunnanensis

Is Populus yunnanensis frost tolerant?

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

Does Populus yunnanensis Flower?

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.

Does Populus yunnanensis flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Not Applicable

Flower Colour:

Not Applicable

Is Populus yunnanensis an Australian Native Tree?

No

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

What is the Wildlife Value of Populus yunnanensis ?

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.

How much Sunlight does Populus yunnanensis need?

Populus yunnanensis will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preferred 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.

Is Populus yunnanensis Drought Tolerant?

Is Populus yunnanensis Drought tolerant?

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.

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How To Plant Your Populus yunnanensis

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 yunnanensis

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 yunnanensis is expected to grow 1m to 1.5m per year (approx.).

Fast Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Populus yunnanensis

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: Minimal pruning required. Light tip prune in late winter to maintain shape, and remove lower branches as the tree grows to develop a clean feature trunk.

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 scale or caterpillar inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Populus yunnanensis in Different Soil

Populus yunnanensis 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: 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.