Broadly conical or spreading when open grown, evergreen. Huge trunks on old trees. Bark peels in long strips. Tiny fruits attract birds. Timber is prized for carving & interior joinery.

Commercial release of a new hybrid 'Chiba' P. maximowiczii x fastigiate P. nigra (backcross). Developed by Allan Wilkinson, it has a narrow fastigiate form to replace the rust infected Lombardy poplar. 'Chiba' refers to Dr. Shigeru Chiba of the Japanese Oji Pulp & Paper Company which supplied the P. maximowiczii parent that is unpalatable to rabbits and possums. Leaves develop yellow autumn colour in May and remain rust free. Cuttings 40cm, Rooted topped @ 1m.

P. maximowiczii from Hokkaido x fastigiate P. nigra from Turkey (not Lombardy). Straight stemmed, narrow crown, light branching, good for pruning, disease & possum resistance. Frost & wind tolerant, but not for coastal sites. Doing well in inland Canterbury. Wood density 336 kg/m3. Male clone, Cuttings 40cm, Rooted topped @ 1m.

P.maximowiczii from Hokkaido x fastigiate P. nigra from Turkey (not Lombardy). smooth barked, good disease and possum resistance. Good stem form & branching for pruning. Frost & wind tolerant but not suitable for coastal sites. Growing well in inland Canterbury. Wood density 313 kg/m3 Cuttings 40cm, Rooted topped @ 1m.