The young tree is still narrow and vertical but later a moderately broad spherical crown forms. The straight trunk has regular branching with steeply rising branches The tree can reach a height of 30 - 35 m. The bark is grey-white and thin, roughly grooved at the foot of the trunk. The triangular to diamond-shaped leaves have a straight foot. The leaves emerge early and are brownish-red in colour. In the summer they are green and turn yellowish-green in the autumn. The tree produces flowers in the form of male catkins. Very sensitive to rust but little sensitive to leaf spot disease and canker. Suitable for coastal areas because of its good resistance to wind. In addition the tree is also used for planting in urban and landscape settings. 'Robusta' prefers fertile, loamy and moist soils, is sensitive to dry conditions and frost and is a good producer of wood. Populus x canadensis 'Robusta' has a straight trunk with an ascending main branch. The foot of the trunk is grooved but the bark remains smooth higher up the tree.