Publications
Innovative practices in the sustainable management of fast-growing trees - Lessons learned from poplars and willows and other experiences with fast-growing trees around the world
28/02/2025
Planted forests account for 7 percent of the global forest area, covering 290 million hectares (ha) of land. About 131 million ha of planted forests are intensively cultivated for productive purposes with fast-growing trees (FGTs).
How can fast-growing trees optimize agroforestry benefits? The role of the International Commission on Poplars and Other Fast-Growing Trees Sustaining People and the Environment
30/11/2023
This brief provides information on the role of fast-growing trees in agroforestry and the scientific and technical role of the International Commission on Poplars and other Fast Growing Trees sustaining People and the Environment (IPC).
Highlight #5B - Global applications of fast-growing trees in agroforestry systems - How poplars and willows can contribute to improved water quality
30/06/2023
New Zealand pastoral agriculture is very dependent on regular inputs of inorganic fertilizers and commonly implements practices that increase soil erosion (e.g., tillage, removal of groundcover). Farmlands, therefore, are important drivers of nonpoint source water pollution, contributing substantial amounts of sediment, phosphorus (P), and nitrogen (N) to New Zealand rivers and streams.
Highlight #5C - Global applications of fast-growing trees in agroforestry systems - The benefits of pollarding poplars and willows to provide stock fodder
30/06/2023
Poplars (Populus L.) and willows (Salix L.) are planted extensively in New Zealand pastoral hill country for soil stabilization, but serve other important functions that make them multipurpose trees. One such function that is particularly relevant for agroforestry systems is the ability of poplars and willows to serve as valuable sources of fodder for pastoral farmers.
Highlight #5I - Global applications of fast-growing trees in agroforestry systems - Stabilizing root systems of poplar trees in agroforestry systems
30/06/2023
In agroforestry, food crops and timber trees are integrated on the same land area without compromising yield and/or degrading natural resources. In the northwestern states of India, poplars (Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh.) have become favorite trees among agroforestry adopters. Poplars improve timber supply and provide additional income, including through employment of rural poor.
Highlight #5H - Global applications of fast-growing trees in agroforestry systems - Integrating poplar in rice-wheat farms
30/06/2023
The rice-wheat crop rotation is an important cropping system in most southeastern Asian countries because of its capability to ensure food security and provide means for livelihood. In India, the Green Revolution helped to increase the production of these two significant crops. However, over time, these crops heavily depleted the nutrient content of soils, contributed to the lowering of water tables, and increased the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Highlight #5E - Global applications of fast-growing trees in agroforestry systems - Ecosystem services and profitability of agroforestry phyto buffers with cover crops and endophytes
30/06/2023
Industry and conventional agriculture have degraded the soils and waters of the Great Lakes region in the United States of America, which limits social, environmental, and economic progress. These impacts have led to subsequent losses of on-farm profits and, in many cases, a decrease in the quality of life for farmers, ranchers, and growers.
Highlight #5G - Global applications of fast-growing trees in agroforestry systems - Diversifying traditional crop rotations through on-farm planting of short-rotation trees
30/06/2023
Environmental degradation due to natural resource exploitation, excessive withdrawal of mineral elements, and substantial application of agrochemicals, is a major consequence of the existing land management strategies in India. There is a need for investments in farming systems to diversify traditional crop rotations. Land managed to include trees and crops, with or without animals, is emerging as a diversification option for farmers.
Highlight #5A - Global applications of fast-growing trees in agroforestry systems - Short rotation coppice combined with poultry breeding and homegardening
30/06/2023
A small-scale agroforestry system consisting of fast-growing trees (FGTs) and a poultry brood was established gradually from 1999 to 2004 for self-provision of woodchips, vegetables, and eggs/meat in the Czech Republic. The 0.6-ha system is the result of a partnership between a family farmer and the Silva Tarouca Research Institute.
Highlight #5F - Global applications of fast-growing trees in agroforestry systems - Tree alley cropping with novel hybrid poplar clones on alluvial soils of Southern Europe
30/06/2023
The intercropping of crops with poplar trees for timber production was largely practiced in Southern Europe during the twentieth century until the late 1970s. This practice was then almost abandoned because tree canopy spraying for pest/disease control often hindered the management of intercrops.
Highlight #5D - Global applications of fast-growing trees in agroforestry systems - Crop water consumption of whole-tree windbreak systems
30/06/2023
Central Asia is one of the world’s largest dryland regions. Consisting of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, the countries of the region are forest-poor and import most of the wood resources demanded by their domestic markets. At the same time, agriculture in the region largely depends on irrigation, which has resulted in the overexploitation of Central Asian water resources.
Forests for a better world - Unasylva No. 253 – Vol. 73 2022/1
30/12/2022
To coincide with the 50th anniversary of FAO’s Committee on Forestry, this edition of Unasylva showcases ways in which forests are delivering the "four betters" and underscores how forests are crucial for resilient and sustainable agrifood systems in a changing climate.
IPC Working Party 6 - Highlight #3 - Registration of new cultivars for Fast-Growing Trees
30/07/2022
The recent decision by the IPC to change the Convention to incorporate additional species of fast-growing trees, launched a new scope of work for Working Party 1 (WP1) on Taxonomy, Nomenclature and Registration. Its new priority now includes the development of a framework for the cultivar registrations of many fast-growing trees, in addition to poplars and willows.
IPC Working Party 6 - Highlight #4 - Registration of new cultivars of Salix from 2016–2022
30/07/2022
As new cultivars of willows are selected, referral to these taxa and their detailed descriptions must be established and maintained. The International Poplar Commission, Food and Agriculture Organization United Nations, was appointed to serve as the International Cultivar Registration Authority (IRCA) for the genus Salix in 2013. The Working Party on Taxonomy, Nomenclature and Registration acts as the International Cultivar Registration Authority for Salix on behalf of the IPC.
IPC Working Party 6 - Highlight #2 - Society, sustainability and hybrid poplar plantations: bridging the communication gap
30/09/2021
ProPopulus is the European association that represents growers, companies and organizations that belong to the poplar chain. The organization is committed to promoting a bioeconomy by defending the need to substitute non-renewable resources with poplar-based alternatives obtained from sustainably managed planted forests and plantations.
IPC Working Party 6 - Highlight #1 - IPC Photo gallery
31/01/2021
In 2014, the International Poplar Commission of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) revised and updated the FAO book “Poplars and Willows”, first published in 1980, which was out of date and out of print. The revised book featured a worldwide overview of poplars and willows including a guide to the basic characteristics, cultivation, use, challenges and current trends.
Poplars and willows: trees for people and the environment - Infographic
30/05/2019
Since 1947, the International Commission on Poplars and Other Fast-Growing Trees Sustaining People and the Environment (IPC) has facilitated the use of some fast-growing tree species, to improve livelihoods and ecosystem services. The infographic shows some example of the works that IPC supports.
Poplars and willows, sustaining livelihoods in urban and peri-urban forests in China
29/11/2018
This publication provides case studies of the successful use of Poplar in Chinese urban forestry.
Poplars and willows: trees for society and the environment
30/12/2014
Taxonomy and classification of the Salicaceae are addressed in an authoritative manner, with descriptions of all important individual species, but recognizing the differences in philosophy that still exist in these topics. Natural ecosystems are described. Genetic resources of poplars and willows are covered comprehensively, including selection, tree improvement and conservation, as well as the latest developments in genomics.
International Workshop "Improve the contribution of Poplars and Willows in meeting sustainable livelihoods and land-use in selected Mediterranean and Central Asian countries"
31/07/2009
The purpose of the Workshop was to better understand the needs and to provide more effective methods in transferring knowledge and technology in translating scientific research of Poplars and Willows into policies, plans and practices through pilot projects. To this end, the objectives of the workshop were to prepare problem analyses and logical frameworks of action from working sessions to assist in packaging concept notes and proposals to funding agencies for their potential support.