How to Landscape With Poplar Trees

Plant poplar trees along a property line. Dig out surrounding grass and vegetation so they don't compete with the poplar for nutrients and moisture. Dig a planting hole with a shovel a few inches deeper than the root-ball and twice the width. Center the tree in the hole and fill it with soil. Cover the base with mulch to preserve moisture, and water the new tree generously with a hose. Tower and Lombardy poplars are two types of narrow poplars that grow tall and straight.

Block wind with a cluster of eastern cottonwood trees. Eastern cottonwoods grow to over 100 feet on average and are fast-growing. In a front yard, these tall trees add vertical lines and depth. Cottonwoods' branches sweep upward, providing full shade on a sunny day. They grow best in moist soil with good drainage.

Plant white poplars near a perennial garden. The white undersides of the leaves create a fluttering, silvery look when the wind catches them, adding a sense of motion to a yard.

Add a row of quaking aspen poplars in a sunny spot to block out the sights and sounds of street noise. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, this is the most widely distributed tree in Northern American. The tree takes its name from the movement of its leaves in slight breezes. In fall, the leaves turn brilliant yellow and pop against the tree's smooth white bark.

Plant a hybrid Carolina poplar in line with a sunny window to cool the home. A mix of black poplar and the eastern cottonwood, they grow an average of 80 to 100 feet tall. Space this tree about 20 feet away from the foundation to give the branches full room to grow.