Populus x Griffin

Griffin poplar is in the willow or Salicaceae family and was bred in Alberta in the 1950s as a shelterbelt tree and is a hybrid between eastern cottonwood and Petrowski poplar (Populus deltoids x P. petrowskyana). It was named after Mr. A. Griffin, superintendent of the C.P.R.'s Engineering Division at Brooks, Alberta.

The tree has a rather narrow crown and is considerably shorter than other poplars. When mature it can reach a height of 6 to 15 m with a spread of 3 m (10 ft). It is the smallest of all the shelterbelt poplars. It has a useful lifespan of about 20 years. It is propagated by cuttings.

• Leaves are alternate, simple, rhombic to obovate, serrate margin, glabrous.
• Buds are orange, sticky.
• Bark is carnation green.