Black bubo plover, source of wood with throats highly appreciated for its unique design

Even if it is not a high quality wood, black poplar can sometimes be fascinating. And that's because of the acorns that grow on the trunk. They are also guilty of the name black poplar bubosas it is popularly known. The tops of such logs or veneers have a distinctive design, sometimes resembling a peacock's tail. It combines well with epoxy resin, the countertops or objects thus obtained are much more interesting than those of other species. But black poplar is not only important as a source of wood. Remedies against inflammation made from black poplar buds have been known since ancient times, and Napoleon planted it along roadsides to make orientation easier. The black poplar, its properties and the uses of this species' wood are the subject of the article below.

Napoleon is responsible for spreading black poplar along the roadsides

Black Plover (Populus nigra), also known as cork, is part of the genus Populus, family Salicaceae. In English we find it under the names Black Poplar, Lombardy Poplar or Map burl, in Italian black poplar or common poplar, in French black poplar and in German schwarzpappel.

The area of natural development is Europe, southern and central Asia and northern Africa. Here it grows spontaneously in wet plains and depressions, on plains and in hilly areas, preferring water valleys. It is resistant to frost and drought, prefers alluvial, loamy, water-rich soils. Black poplar can withstand long floods, provided the water does not stagnate. It prefers light and is a fast-growing species. Lives up to 300-400 years, but is only industrially important for up to 100 years.

Black poplar buds have been mentioned as a medicinal remedy since ancient times. 4000 years ago, the Greek doctor Galen used cream made from poplar buds against skin irritations. The anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and expectorant action of black poplar buds is now well known and they are frequently used in herbal and homeopathic medicine.

The rapid spread of poplar in the 19th century was due to Napoleon who decided that the Plopus nigra pyramidalis, widespread in Italy, to be planted along roadsides. The trees grew quickly and their tall silhouette made the roads easier to find in winter. They were also useful in summer, when their shade protected soldiers on campaigns across Europe.

The dormant buds developed under the bark create the botanicals that make it so prized

The black poplar grows up to 25-30 m, with a diameter of 1-1.5 m. Under favourable growing conditions some specimens can reach 40 m in height and 3 m in diameter. The roots are deeply embedded in the ground and spread laterally. The trunk grows straight, with grey-green bark when young, but quickly darkens to blackish and heavily barked. Hence the name black poplar. The trunk may be spotted from place to place due to the crowding of dormant buds developing under the bark. Development in a very confined space causes the characteristic elements to intertwine and give rise to unique designs.

The leaves are glossy, green, heart-shaped with a pointed tip and long petiole. Depending on the flowers, the trees can be female and male, with male flowers being red and female flowers greenish-yellow. They appear two weeks before the leaves in March or April and are wind pollinated. After pollination, fluffy, cotton-like seeds develop from the female flowers and are easily spread by the wind. This fluff can cause allergies in sensitive people. This is why we try to plant only male specimens and propagate them by shoots or seedlings.

Characteristics and properties of black poplar wood

In cross-section, black poplar wood does not have a very clear differentiation between sapwood and heartwood. The sapwood is yellowish to white and tends to intertwine with the light brown to grey heartwood. The texture is fine and soft, with straight grain, slightly irregular at times, with low gloss. The exception is the throat areas where the colours and characteristics are mixed due to constrained development. Annual rings are hardly visible, and pores are small, numerous and scattered throughout the ring.

Black poplar has low bending strength and very low shock resistance. It has medium resistance to crushing and is rated as very poor for steam shaping. It is a light wood with a density of 385 kg/³. It has a tendency to warp and bow on drying, but does not crack much. It processes well with hand and power tools, but the blades must be very sharp. Holds up well to pulling out screws or nails, but sanding can be difficult due to fibre blunting. Successive sanding with finer and finer paper is recommended until a uniform, lint-free surface is obtained. Glues well, but stains poorly, with spots, due to different absorbency. It is not rot resistant so is not recommended for outdoor use.

Aesthetic supplies, wood for pallets and matches, cellulose source

Black poplar wood is light and is therefore used to make gift boxes, fruit and vegetable crates or pallets. It is also used to make furniture, but is quite difficult to finish. Regular wood is used to make technical veneers for plywood, and the beech is used to make aesthetic veneers for musical instruments (drums), special furniture or inlays. The deformed trunks of the neck are used to make table tops.

It can easily be impregnated with paraffin and is therefore used to make matches. It is industrially processed into pulp. Because it is very light it was used in the past to make dentures or rifle stocks. I have found information that it burns hard, so it is not recommended as firewood. But the information is solitary, I did not find it in several sources. It is easily carved into decorative spoons, bowls or toys.

The most appreciated specimens are those with the trunk very deformed by the gorges. The defect greatly increases the value of the wood due to the unique design. Polyester resin highlights these designs very well and makes the wood much stronger.

I hope you find the information useful. As usual, we welcome additions. And if you have any questions or queries, please leave them in the space below. I'm sure I'll reply.

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