Found across the world, poplar wood is a go-to timber source for various applications. We investigate why, specifically the South African match poplar( Populus deltoides) species.
CONTRIBUTORS- WOOD WISE
A ' poplar ' timber choice
Found across the world, poplar wood is a go-to timber source for various applications. We investigate why, specifically the South African match poplar( Populus deltoides) species.
By Stephanie Dyer
The genus Populus consists of about 30 to 40 different species which are naturally distributed throughout the temperate and boreal regions of the northern hemisphere, south of the arctic circle. Poplars are commonly found in Europe, North and East Africa, Asia Minor, Siberia, the Himilayas, Mongolia, China, Japan, Alaska, Canada, the US and Mexico. The different species and groupings are commonly called poplars, aspens, popple and cottonwood, depending on their origin. In South Africa, the term poplar is generally used.
12 poplar species, exclusive of hybrids, have been introduced into southern Africa. Of these, the four most popular species are P. alba( white poplar), P. deltoides( match poplar), P. fremontii( western cottonwood) and P. nigra( black poplar or lombardy poplar). Poplar hybrids have also been cultivated locally – the two principal hybrids being P. X canescens( grey poplar) and P. X serotina( black Italian poplar).
Commercially, poplars were originally planted in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, southern KwaZulu-Natal, south-eastern Gauteng and Mpumalanga and most of these plantations( 95 %) were intended for match production. Today, an area of only 1 453ha is dedicated to planting of poplar species – match poplar and pine species are mostly used for match production. Other uses of the trees include shelter and screening; the combatting of soil erosion on farms and country estates; as well as for shade in public squares and gardens. Poplars have become naturalised in cold, wet areas and are still visible in these parts of South Africa.
A PERFECT MATCH
Match poplar is a fast-growing medium-sized deciduous tree, reaching an average height of 15m in South Africa. The tree is frost-hardy, but not drought-hardy. It has a dense, spreading crown of light green triangular-shaped leaves that turn yellow in autumn. Greenish flowers appear in spring.
According to Esterhuyse, et. al.( 2016), the largest match poplar tree measured in South Africa is the Parktown Tree, a remnant of the semi-rural surroundings of Johannesburg, which are now built-up. The tree is 35m high, has a stem diameter( at breast height) of 1.66m and a crown diameter of 28.07m.
CHRIS EVANS, UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, BUGWOOD. ORG
A Populus deltoides tree.
Generally, the wood produced by poplar trees is very similar to that produced by willow trees. The sapwood of match poplar is greyish-white, merging gradually into a light brownish heartwood. The wood is lusterless, light-weight, straight-grained and is quite tough and strong, considering its low density( 370 to 530kg / m 3 for air-dried wood). The wood has many uses, including boxes and crates( it takes stencil ink well), packing cases, pulp and paper, inexpensive parts of furniture, kitchen cabinets, food containers and butter tubs. It is also popular for poles, posts and fuelwood.
While the focus of this article is on match poplar, however, there is an historic poplar tree worth mentioning – a Lombardy poplar( P. nigra) called the Ruth Fischer tree. Nestled in Lothbury Avenue, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, this tree served as a landmark for fugitives from the apartheid security forces to find the safe house of Ruth Fischer, the daughter of Bram Fischer.
See more on page 54
52 AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2018 //