As per experts opinion poplar is best to plant. If you are confused about Eucalyptus tree vs Poplar tree which is best to plant then this guide for you.
Eucalyptus tree price after 5 years and poplar price are almost the same but eucalyptus needs more care, more water and more time to mature. Eucalyptus is capable of growing in most regions of India whereas poplar mostly grow in North India. Now you can decide which is worth it to plant, for more insights read the full content which helps you to make your decision now.
Poplar or Eucalyptus which to plant? Is poplar more beneficial or eucalyptus? Which tree demands more care and water? Which sells at a higher rate? Which grows faster? All your concerns are covered here.
Eucalyptus tree vs Poplar tree which is best to plant
Both are good plants with different benefits and drawbacks. As per your need you can decide which is best to plant. This guide gives you clarity.
What are the prices of Poplar and Eucalyptus plants?
Eucalyptus plants are cheaper than poplar plants. Generally nursery owners sell 2 months to 3 months old eucalyptus plants and one year old popular plants. You can easily buy eucalyptus plants for around Rs 15 to 30 depending on the source, variety & region.
Whereas to buy poplar plants you spend Rs 25 to Rs 30 for 1 year old ordinary plants and Rs 35 to Rs 40 for 1 year old hybrid poplar plants. At STN you can book hybrid poplar cuttings with a complimentary Ebook that contains correct planting method, exact planting steps from purchasing cuttings to planting in farm, tips to take care of your plant and necessary information at one place.
For purchasing planting material you have to invest more in popular farming and less in eucalyptus farming.
Poplar or Eucalyptus which grow faster?
Growing time makes the real difference between two trees and most farmers decide which to plant on the basis of growing time. Popular trees are one of the fastest growing trees in the world that grow in 3.5 to 4.5 years whereas eucalyptus needs 6 to 10 years to reach the harvesting stage.
Farmers already selling poplar after 3.5 years at Rs 1300/quintal, watch this poplar tree harvesting video. According to the farmers they can grow poplar twice in 8 to 9 years then why should they plant eucalyptus that sells almost at equal price and takes longer period and needs more maintenance.
How many trees per acre for both?
With the distance of 14 x 10, 12 x 10 farmers are planting 280 to 350 poplar plants, also planting the same plants at corners of farms. With the same distance some farmers plant around 300 eucalyptus plants and some plant around 600 plants with 12 x 6 distance.
To calculate the exact distance between trees use our free tree spacing calculator here.
Which tree provides best intercropping opportunity?
From 1st year to 5th year you can do intercropping with poplar trees whereas the Intercropping opportunity in Eucalyptus trees is less and can be done in the first year only.
Intercropping makes the land more fertile which increases the trees health as well. Farmers usually plant sugarcane in poplar farms in the first year followed by wheat and other plants from the 2nd year onwards. Intercropping with sugar cane makes poplar grow taller thicker and faster.
Eucalyptus or Poplar which tree need more water?
Eucalyptus trees need regular water in good quantity, they collapse without watering. Whereas poplar needs water once in 15 days no water in rainy season and less water in winters. In the summer if it’s too hot they need water once every 10 days.
What is the harvesting time for Poplar and Eucalyptus trees?
Eucalyptus trees are harvested after 6 to 8 or 10 years whereas poplar trees are harvested after 3.5 years to 6 years depending on variety. Hybrid variety poplar trees (110 & 109 varieties) are harvested after 3.5 to 4.5 years only.
Which weighs more poplar or eucalyptus trees?
Hybrid poplar gain average 3 to 4 quintal weight in 3.5 to 4 years whereas eucalyptus trees need 5 – 6 years to gain 3 to 4 quintal weight. You can achieve the same amount in 4 years with poplar trees that you earn after 7 years with eucalyptus trees.
Eucalyptus or Poplar which sells at more price after harvesting?
Rs 1200 to Rs 1600 per quintal for either tree depending on their weight and growth. Quick harvesting time is attracting most farmers to start popular farming in India, harvested in 4 years.
Poplar trees in Uttarakhand, Punjab, UP and in almost all north India are preferred choice for farmers. They are fast growing trees and now attracting farmers of other states including Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh etc.
Poplar vs Eucalyptus which tree gives more income returns?
Average poplar tree selling price after 4 years is Rs 2000. Healthy trees also sell between Rs 3000 to Rs 4000.
By planting 500 trees you can expect average income returns = Rs 2000 x 500 trees = Rs 10 lakh. See the complete project report of poplar trees that gives you detailed cost and profit analysis.
After deducting the total cost of around Rs 40,000 in all 4 years you easily earn above 9 lakh in 4 years only.
While earning the similar or lower amount you have to wait for 7 to 8 years in eucalyptus farming. In this period farmers generate double income by harvesting trees twice in 8 years with hybrid poplar varieties.
When compared to eucalyptus poplar is more profitable farming but eucalyptus grows in more zones due to high temperature tolerance capacity. To take a good decision before plantation research which of the tree can survive in your region and then decide.
Poplar vs Eucalyptus tree
The below table gives comparison between poplar and eucalyptus trees.
| Eucalyptus | Poplar |
| 3 quintal weight in 5 years | 4 quintal weight in 6 years |
| Rs 1200 to 1600 per quintal | Rs 1200 to 1600 per quintal |
| 1 acre 600 plants with 12 by 6 distance | 1 acre 300 plants with 14 by 10 distance |
| No | Increases land fertile efficiency |
| Rs 1200 x 3 quintal = Rs 3600 one tree | Price: Rs 1200 x 4 quintal = Rs 4800 one tree |
| Intercropping only in 1st year | Intercropping for 5 years |
| Needs large quantity of water | Need water monthly twice, less in winters more in summers |
Are you ready to start poplar farming in East West and South India
You may think if it is a fast growing profitable tree then why other states are not cultivating it on a good scale. Well, apart from the possibilities whether it will grow or not there are some difficulties like delivering it.
Poplar mostly grow in North India but can be grown in other zones as well. Challenge comes while delivering the saplings. As one year plants are planted in the farm and they are 6 feet to 15 ft taller in height which is difficult to deliver in other states also transportation charges increase.
Book 6 inch poplar cuttings instead of 10 feet tall saplings
If you have done basic research and wanted to grow poplar in your state then the ultimate solution is to book the poplar cuttings instead of plants. Cuttings are cheaper than plants and easy to deliver. We (STN) are already selling hybrid poplar cuttings across India, if you are interested, book cuttings now with the link below.
Book Hybrid Poplar Cuttings From Anywhere in India: Variety 109 & 110.
Conclusion: Poplar tree grows in 4 years, eucalyptus tree in 8 years and both sell around the same prices. Eucalyptus tree cost and maintenance is more than poplar trees. Comprehensive insights shared in this guide helps you decide Eucalyptus tree vs Poplar tree which is best to plant.
Anil Singh Pundir is the founder of Signup Trending Nature (STN). A passionate explorer of Himalayan flora who lives in the heart of Uttarakhand. With 5+ years of experience, he has shared field tested insights on tree species like Mahogany & Poplar. Currently he is on a mission to bring awareness about traditional Himalayan seeds, like Bhangjeera (perilla) and their nutritional profile.