Mater Engineering, LTD., a secondary wood products consulting firm, recently conducted a survey of poplar acceptance and understanding among the secondary wood product firms throughout the PNW and found market potential if enough wood could be made available. As of this spring, farmers have planted over 1000 acres of poplar in eastern Oregon since 1996. Acreages vary in size from 1 to 100. The production of poplar is much like that of growing any agricultural crop. Field preparation, weed control, irrigation and the selection of proper varieties to fit soil conditions are critical to assure establishment and to meet production goals.
Growth rates equal or exceed that of other areas of Oregon or Washington.
Once established, annual growth will average ten feet in height and 1.2 inches in diameter. Stand rotation will be 10 to 12 years in length in order to produce the high value, saw and veneer logs. Water requirements following the first year of establishment are 24 to 36 inches of water per year for maximum growth. Fertilization requirements are based on leaf tissue analysis. In central Oregon, only one stand of trees has been fertilized and that consisted on a one-time application of zinc.