Black poplar tree flowers.

Common Name	Black Poplar
Family	Salicaceae
Synonyms
Known Hazards	None known
Habitats	Moist ground in woods and by streams[9, 17].
Range	Central and southern Europe, including Britain, Mediterranean, temperate Asia to the Himalayas.

 Populus nigra is a deciduous Tree growing to 30 m (98ft) by 20 m (65ft) at a fast rate.
It is hardy to zone 2. It is in flower in April, and the seeds ripen in June. The flowers are dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required) and are pollinated by Wind.The plant is not self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife. 

 Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Habitats
Woodland Garden Canopy;

 The leaf buds are covered with a resinous sap that has a strong turpentine odour and a bitter taste. An important food plant for the caterpillars of several species of butterfly.

A very easily grown plant, it does well in a heavy cold damp soil. Poplars have very extensive and aggressive root systems that can invade and damage drainage systems. Especially when grown on clay soils, they should not be planted within 12 metres of buildings since the root system can damage the building's foundations by drying out the soil.