LEAFLESS POPLARS

The White Solitary Posts are Poplars , a high altitude  tree you will see covering the the entire Landscape of Leh, Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, India.

There is a huge and exciting controversy brewing on the scientific name and I have honed onto the scientific name Populus parmirica. 

tree and bird
An Enchanting Magpie

As I have only seen and photographed them during the Winters when not a single leaf adorned them, let alone bear a flower or fruit, it is hard to key on the species with precision for an amateur like me.

3 trees
Stretching their arms to touch the Blue Skies

I understand these Ghostly white posts have separate male and female trees and are an intricate part of Ladhakhi life.

Willows and Poplars dominate the winter landscape of Ladhakh.

one willow
A solitary Willow amongst the Tall and Elegant Poplars

The Ladhaki Frass or  Ladakh Poplars or Populus pamirica can be seen only at altitudes above 2000 m.

Leh is at 3800 m and thus home to vast Poplar plantations.

trees and himalayas
The Himalayas form the backdrop to a forest of Poplars

I hope you will help me identify the species in case I have blundered . Am certain the Genus Populus is however correct.

 

Published by

mukul chand

51 year old entrepreneur who has traveled extensively around the world for work and pleasure , is based in New Delhi, India. A passionate traveler born with a love for flora and fauna, is an active naturalist and amateur photographer. Here he shares his unique insight into Incredible India revealing its mysterious and exotic treasures. Writing from his heart he shares his experiences as he crisscrosses this vast and amazing land.

31 thoughts on “LEAFLESS POPLARS”

  4. So beautiful dear Mukul, I love poplar trees… we have in here too… like a pencil in the valleys… I always compared them to the pencils… I am in my dream through your amazing photographs… Thank you, love, nia

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      1. There are 5 types of poplar trees, as I learned dear Mukul,

        1- Ak kavak (white poplar) (populus alba)
        2- Fırat kavağı (Firat is the river in the southeast and named like that Firat poplar (populus euphratica)
        3- Kara kavak (Dark poplar) (populus nigra)
        4- Titrek kavak (shaky poplar) ( populus tremula
        5- Boz kavak (boz means dun colour, so Dun Poplar) (populus canescens)

        They don’t let them in the city, because of the pollen allergy… but in the nature especially in the fields of the southeast of Anatolia we have so many. I love their standing like a pencil in the valleys… They have been noticed very clearly…

        Thank you, love, nia

        Liked by 1 person

      4. I use this because they are always straight up! Not like other trees… and really in the colourful valleys you can see them clearly and like a pencil… But of course should be great in Himalayan area… maybe bigger than ours… Standing majestic like mountains…

        Liked by 1 person

  5. How many times I watched I don’t remember 🙂 and now I saw some of photographs and reminded me again the film… I really love this area… what’s the connection with me and Himalayas I don’t know. Thank you dear Mukul, love, nia

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. Pingback: I stand in solitude | This is my life!

  8. Lovely work here! It’s amazing how the whole region transforms through the seasons. The green patches of grass and the trees next to the river basins, the apricot trees, the birds. It’s all so enchanting I must say. Thank you for sharing

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      4. That’s so true my friend. Their hospitality is unbelievable. As soon as you say Julley you’re guaranteed to get a smile back! You’ve done a lovely job with the posts my friend. Good wishes

        Liked by 1 person

Leave a comment