Grey Poplar - Populus alba x tremula = P. x canescens

A natural hybrid between White Poplar and Aspen, and rather variable but intermediate in character between the two.  It exhibits 'hybrid vigour', and can outgrow both parent species, becoming a large tree to 40 metres or more. 

Shoots white downy at first. Leaves rounded-triangular, coarsely and irregularly toothed, not lobed, dark green above, grey downy beneath.  Bracts are laciniate.  As with all poplars, the leaves from suckers and epicormic growth are often atypical and should not be used to identify the species. 

Most trees are male, and the male catkins are greyish becoming red-purple as they mature. Female trees are rare, and have greenish catkins. 

Photos of leaves, upper and under-side, from crown long-shoots NOT epicormic/sucker growth.

Thrives in damp places such as water margins and damp woods, but also found in hedgerows.

Flowers in March or April.

Deciduous.

Widespread, particularly in the southern half of Britain.

Occasional and local in Leicestershire and Rutland. In the 1979 Flora survey of Leicestershire it was found in 67 of the 617 tetrads.