Life Goes On
Populus nigra, the black poplar, is a species of poplar in the cottonwood (Aegiros) section of the genus Populus, native to Europe, southwest and central Asia, and northwest Africa. It is a medium-sized to large deciduous tree, reaching 20-30 m (rarely 40 m) tall, with a trunk up to 1.5 m diameter. The leaves are diamond-shaped to triangular, 5-8 cm long and 6-8 cm broad, green on both surfaces. The species is dioecious (male and female flowers on different plants), with flowers in catkins and pollination by wind.