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Lombardy poplar (black poplar) identification: leaves, bark, fruit and twigs
Lombardy poplar, Populus nigra, is an introduced tree in Pennsylvania. How to recognize it by its leaves, bark, fruit and twigs, and how to tell it from look-alikes.
Alternate, simple leaves with toothed edges. Triangular leaves 2 to 4 inches long with fine rounded teeth, straight across the base, on a flattened stem. Bark: Smooth gray-green, later dark gray to nearly black and furrowed. Checked Nov. 14, 2026.
How to identify Lombardy poplar
| Leaf type | Alternate, simple leaves with toothed edges |
|---|---|
| Leaves | Triangular leaves 2 to 4 inches long with fine rounded teeth, straight across the base, on a flattened stem. |
| Bark | Smooth gray-green, later dark gray to nearly black and furrowed. |
| Fruit | The Lombardy form (‘Italica’) is all male trees and does not set seed. |
| Twigs | Light brown to yellow-brown twigs with large, sticky buds. |
| Size and shape | Narrow column shape up to about 60 feet tall but only 10 to 15 feet wide. |
The Virginia Tech sheet used here covers the Lombardy form, Populus nigra ‘Italica’.
From the Virginia Tech Dendrology fact sheet, in our own words.
Is Lombardy poplar native to Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP) lists Lombardy poplar as introduced: it is not native to Pennsylvania.
See all 140 trees, with a 4-question identifier, in our Pennsylvania tree identification guide.
Trees that look like Lombardy poplar
| Tree | Its leaves |
|---|---|
| Eastern cottonwood Populus deltoides | Alternate, simple leaves with toothed edges. Triangular leaves 3 to 6 inches long with rounded teeth; the leaf stem is flattened and has small glands at the top. |
Compare the leaves first, then the bark, fruit and twigs on each tree’s page.
Other poplars, aspens and cottonwoods in Pennsylvania
Bigtooth aspen (Populus grandidentata), Swamp cottonwood (Populus heterophylla), Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), White poplar (Populus alba), Balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera).
Questions
How do you identify Lombardy poplar?
Look for alternate, simple leaves with toothed edges. Triangular leaves 2 to 4 inches long with fine rounded teeth, straight across the base, on a flattened stem. Bark: Smooth gray-green, later dark gray to nearly black and furrowed.
Is Lombardy poplar native to Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP) lists Lombardy poplar as introduced: it is not native to Pennsylvania.
How big does Lombardy poplar get?
Narrow column shape up to about 60 feet tall but only 10 to 15 feet wide.
How can you tell Lombardy poplar in winter?
Check the twigs and bark. Twigs: Light brown to yellow-brown twigs with large, sticky buds. Bark: Smooth gray-green, later dark gray to nearly black and furrowed.
What tree looks like Lombardy poplar?
Eastern cottonwood. Compare the leaves first.
Sources: Virginia Tech Dendrology (Populus nigra fact sheet); Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program, PA Vascular Plant List (native or introduced status). Checked Nov. 14, 2026.
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