Poplar is a subgenus of poplar, the poplar family which often grows in the desert.
It is cold-resistant, drought-resistant, salinity-resistant, and sand-resistant, and has a strong vitality.
Poplar is a tree species growing in the desert, up to 1.5 meters in diameter, slender and softwood, broad and fragrant leaves, drought and water resistance, and tenacious life, is one of the rare species of nature.
Poplar trees aged up to 200 years have straight trunks, are 10-15 meters high, are sparse and shrub-like, leaves peculiar, because of growing in extremely desert areas, to adapt to the arid environment, grow in young trees on young branches of leaves as narrow as willow, large trees on the old branches of leaves but rounded as poplar.
Poplar is a precious forest resource unique to desert areas, it has a very important role in stabilizing the ecological balance of the desert river zone, preventing wind and fixing sand, regulating the oasis climate, and forming fertile forest soil.
At the same time, poplar is an ancient tree species, it has important scientific value for the study of climate change, river changes, and the evolution of flora.
And the development of ancient economies and cultures in the desert areas of Asia and Africa.
Poplar can survive in the desert because it is extremely vigorous.
It has strong drought resistance and can thrive in the deserts of northwest China, with roots that can reach up to 10 meters below ground level to absorb groundwater.
It has coiled roots that can prevent sand and fix the soil, and when water is available, it will desperately store water to prepare for drought.
Poplar is not afraid of salinity, it can drain out the excess salinity through its trunk or leaves.
Poplars can also adapt to the large temperature differences in the desert.
During the daytime when the sun shines directly, the temperature in the desert reaches over 41°C, while at night it drops below -39°C.
Poplar grows normally in this environment of alternating high and low temperatures.
The life span of poplar is also very long, which can reach more than a thousand years.
Therefore, people try to plant poplar in the desert to control the wind and sand.
In addition to sand control, poplar has many other functions.
1. Its wood is hard, water-resistant and anti-corrosion, especially after water immersion.
Its resistance to decay enhanced, through the millennium but not decay, is the best construction and furniture materials, Loulan, Nia, and other desert cities of poplar building materials are still well preserved.
2. The leaves of the tree are rich in protein and salts, which are good fodder for livestock over winter.
3. The long fiber of poplar wood is a good raw material for paper making, and the dead branches are very good fuel.
4. The shoots of poplar forests are important fodder for animals in desert areas.
5. The leaves of poplar are good fodder for cattle and sheep.
