Populus ciliata aka Himalayan Poplar

Populus ciliata is known as the Himalayan poplar. It belongs to Salicaceae, the willow family. This tree is native to temperate parts of Asia. Kew gives its range as northern Pakistan to Yunnan and northern Myanmar. Plants For A Future also lists Bhutan, Nepal, and northern India. In China, it grows in Tibet as well as Yunnan. These records span a broad part of the Himalayan region. The evidence gives no firm garden height or spread.

In the wild, it grows with oak, deodar, and pine. It also grows in secondary woods and by streams. These sites lie 3,937–9,843 feet [1,200–3,000 metres] above sea level. Plants For A Future notes that it grows on light soils. These records show where the tree grows in the wild. They do not show the full range of garden soils it tolerates. The source lists it for a woodland garden's canopy. The evidence gives no hardiness rating for this species.

The wood has several uses, though it does not last well. It is soft and has a somewhat woolly feel. The source reports that the wood has no smell or taste. It does not catch fire easily and resists wear well. People use it for boards, matches, and water troughs. They also use the wood to build and make furniture. These uses refer to wood, not parts used as food. The evidence does not say how long wood lasts outdoors.

Plants For A Future gives a use for young shoots. An extract can help cuttings form roots. The method calls for chopped shoots soaked in cold water. The shoots soak for one day. The same source lists past and folk uses of bark as medicine. People use it as a tonic. In folk practice, they mix bark paste with cow-dung ash. They use this mix to treat muscle swellings. These records show uses, not proof of health benefits or safety.

Plants For A Future lists no known food use for this species. It also lists no known hazards. That does not mean it has proved safe. Its weed review does not flag the tree as weedy. The evidence for this species names no specific pests or diseases. It gives no detailed account of bark, leaves, flowers, or fruit. These gaps limit the garden guidance this account can give. They also limit its use to help name the tree.