Buds have a brown, varnished appearance, and are often curved toward the twig. Twigs are glabrous, shiny, and reddish-brown in color. Foliage is nearly bloomy when mature. Buds are often divergent from the twig. Twigs and buds are gray and hairy.
Twigs finally become reddish or orange-brown in color when mature.
Silver poplar is longer lived than some of the other poplars. Like many other members of the genus, it is undesirable for ornamental purposes because the roots often clog older underground tile and drains. Plastic pipe is resistant to damage. Bark is gray to light green or white with black, diamond-shaped scars on old trunks. The bark and foliage color give the tree its common name.