Is This a Laurel

summer · Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 8:03 pm Post subject: Is This a Laurel

Hi Guys. I planted a Laurel Hedge a couple of years ago, and one of the Plants (see Pics) has grown a lot taller, and it seems to have a bigger Leaf, and has yellow streaks through it. Could any one here, tell me if its a Laurel, or what type it is.?

cooler · Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 8:12 pm Post subject:

Looks like a white poplar (tree) summer.

Silver surfer · Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 8:17 pm Post subject:

Looks like Populus.
With the markings on some of leaves it look as if it may be Populus x jackii Aurora.

http://www.shootgardening.co.uk/plant/populus-x-jackii-aurora

The old name used to be Populus candicans Aurora.

http://www.google.co.uk/images?q=populus%20candicans%20aurora&rls=p,com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7SUNA_en-GB&redir_esc=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi

summer · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 11:50 am Post subject:

Thanks Guys, so that's what it is ''Populus or Popular. Many that's for the reply's

inishindie · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 1:14 pm Post subject: variegated

Hi

Your poplar looks like it might be one of the variegated type and is resorting the the naturalised state of one colour. If it is the non variegated branches can be removed...

I like the evening pics in the garden when it's dark...were you out catching slugs Smile

summer · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 3:04 pm Post subject:

Hi inishindie, No, not ''catching Slugs,'' just was out and about, earlier that evening, and happened to have the Camera with me.

walltoall · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 5:41 pm Post subject: ringing the poplar laurel.

Summer

That poplar might have self-seeded. Poplar is very greedy and totally inappropriate in a laurel hedge. If it were mine, I'd crawl under the hedge to find the base of it's trunk and ring it. For other readers who haven't come across ringing, use a stanley knife to gently cut two rings about an inch apart right round the trunk of an unwanted tree when it is at prime growth (July August). Carefully peel away all the bark within the two rings without damaging the shaft underneath. The tree is now ringed. leave it there til next year and you find it is dead. Very drastic and very effective way of thinning woodland among other things. BTW, I love trees but have ringed many over the years.

summer · Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 4:51 pm Post subject:

Hi walltoall, i think i might let grow for a year, and see what it looks like, and if i am not happy with it, i will do as you say. (thanks for the tip, on how to get rid of it)

walltoall · Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 5:52 pm Post subject: poplars and laurels

Hi Summer
respec'

The White poplar and derivitives grow into handsome trees, not necessarily the nicest tree in the forest but characterful and sturdy. If you live in an area of high rainfall it'll grow for Ireland. Would you believe that such a tree can sweat off as much as 30,000 gallons a year, but much of it comes from the artesian system. It's roots are not particularly troublesome to underground pipes and things. And it gives terrific shade in high summer. Usually stems up well, so you get a tall trunk. Suckering is not a big issue and is easily controlled by cutting the suckers right back to the butt.

maigheomac · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 03 Dec 2009 Posts: 18

Personally, I think I would keep the Poplar and remove the laurel hedge Wink

Laurel is quite an invasive plant in itself, quite artificial/plastic looking, won't attract much birdlife/invertebrates and is poisonous to livestock.....

I recently acquired a sucker from beside a lake in Donegal and planted it in the corner of my garden. I thought it had died but has now produced some leaves before the winter time.
Prevailing wind hits the back left corner of my garden so I am planning to stick it there and due to its fast growing nature, I think it will do nicely.
My only concern was that the roots wouldn't damage my puraflow septic tank. But as this is 20 metres away I guess this is fine.

walltoall, interesting info about this tree, can I ask you a question as you seem quite knowedgeable about this tree, what would you estimate is a safeish planting distance for this type of tree's root system away from pipes,walls, etc? I have been trying to google it but haven't had much luck

Thanks!

walltoall · Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 5:28 pm Post subject: poplars v laurels

Dia dhuit a maigheomac,

As a general rule the roots of poplar type trees spread to about the same amount underground as the visible tree spreads overground. Lombardy is an exception. 20m from the septic tank is more than adaquate as only hair roots will get anywhere like that distance. The good news is that if the soakage area beyond the tank falls within the scope of a Poplar, the tree will remove massive amounts of water from the vicinity.

PS. I agree with your views on Laurel. It's up there with Rhododendron.