[princesspiggy]

we planted hybrid poplar trees 4 yrs ago, planted 3 ft apart, double rows, as recommended by the supplier (bowhayes)
they have grown well over 18ft, trunks about 8 inches in diameter. all been fine but this year they are snapping off completely in the wind at about 4ft high level. we havent even had strong winds yet and have lost about 10 % already.
anyone experienced this or any suggestions? wev have never used a stake at all as they were planted as 2ft sticks. we must have 80 trees so staking them all at 6 ft high is gona be expensive. maybe topping them would increase strength as in similar to willows?
i know the poplars can grow very big if a single tree, but they were planted as a quick screen / hedge and spacings wer what was recommended..
shame to see them being snapped off, ideas anyone?

[Sylvia]

If they're going to snap anyway you may as well top them to a suitable height

[Surrey Dodger]

Unfortunately Poplars are quite brittle and prone to snapping off. In the storms of 87 (exceptional I appreciate) we lost a dozen 200ftrs that all snapped off several meters above the ground and they were typically 4-6ft thick .

Lombardy Poplars are a little better and do have a bit more give but being much slender, might not give you the screening you desire.

Just an an out of the box thought and depending on your location/setting, have you considered bamboo?

[princesspiggy]

havent considered bamboo where these are but we do have some bamboo in the garden which we got from victoriana nurseries, and its still doing well after 4 yrs.
we have bought willows and poplars. we must have lost 25 % now. its a shame as they were planted "front of house" so now looks a mess. they grew so fast that i did get comments by neighbours that they would be weak. nevermind.

[goosepimple]

We have a patch of bamboo here - it's quite big - I cut it down to nothing much a couple of years back for some garden canes and it's huge and robust again and sprouting outwith its area.  Looks like it needs a panda or two.

[clydesdaleclopper]

We have a patch of bamboo here - it's quite big - I cut it down to nothing much a couple of years back for some garden canes and it's huge and robust again and sprouting outwith its area.  Looks like it needs a panda or two.

Apparently in the States some people use bamboo to feed sheep

[goosepimple]

Really?!! Can't imagine what that's like to digest - oooch!

[princesspiggy]

we got our bamboos, and they were a type that the victoriana nursery guaranteed they wouldnt overrule the garden, and they havent. they r soft until autumn then they die off and regrow from ground level in spring. they would be v edible by appearance during the summer months. grows to 6ft high. quite nice really. used as an ornamental screen/windbreak.