Populus x jackii

Northwest poplar is in the willow or Salicaceae family and is considered to be a natural hybrid between the eastern cottonwood and balsam poplar (Populus deltoides x Populus balsamifera). The tree was introduced as a male clone by the Northwest Nursery, Valley City, North Dakota.

• Leaves are alternate, simple, shiny green, broadly ovate with a sinuated (strongly wavy) edge. Base is flattened or rounded. Blade is nearly as wide as long (to 10 cm), with hairs. Petioles are reddish, cross-section oval, with 0 or 2 terminal glands present.
• Buds are elongated, three times longer than wide, acute, outcurved, gummy, pubescent. There are eyelash-like hairs at the base of the bud. Leaf scar is triangular and large.
• Young bark is very smooth, greyish-green in colour, with striped lenticels. Older bark stays smooth and does not have the heavy grooves of the older black poplar and cottonwood.
• Being a hybrid, it is propagated by cuttings.