Studies on adaptability ofPopulus bolleana and other Poplar trees in northwest Shanxi Province

Abstract

Through five years (1996–2000), experiment, the growth characteristics and resistance to insect and cold of the seven poplar varieties includingP. popularis, P. opera, P: pseudo-simonii, P. beijinensis, P. bolleana, P. x euramericana andP. simonii, which were planted in loess hilly land in northwest Shanxi Province, were tested under different planting densities and site conditions. A randomized block design and three times repetition were adopted in the test. Based on the test results in arid and cold area of the northwest Shanxi, the hybrid poplar trees takingPopulus cathaysna as their female parent could be selected for afforestation, such asP. popularis andP. opera, and the growing space of single plant should be larger than 20 m2.P. bolleana as an introduced tree species grows well in this area, but its growth is likely affected by, ground water condition. On the site with relatively abundant soil water,P. bolleana usually suffer from frost crack at its trunk base. As a result,P. bolleara is suited to planting in the site where is short of soil water.P. x euramericana is not suitable for large-scale afforestation, especially in arid slopes and ridges of loess hilly land.