Abstract: Growth rhythm, cell wall composition, anatomical structure, physical and mechanical properties of poplar 741 were observed and measured. The results showed that, poplar 741 had a long growth period, high growth rate, and plant height, stem diameter and the growth rate of individual volume in growing season had the obvious characteristics of fast-growing. With the scanning electro microscope analysis, we found that fiber cell wall was thin, the shape of its cross section was circular or polygonal, the vessel cells were pitted vessel, wood rays were usually uniseriate; S-lignin content in stem cell wall of poplar 741 was markedly higher than the G-lignin, moreover, with the growing of the poplar 741, the S-lignin content increased year by year. Basic density of poplar 741 was less than Populus wood, volume shrinkage rate was in a low level, the flexural strength was higher than other kind of Populus wood. According to national standard of impact toughness in wood, the impact toughness of poplar 741 was medium among the main timber tree species. Poplar 741 could be widely applied in green, construction, furniture, plywood, paper and other industries.

Key words: poplar 741, growth rhythm, anatomical structure, chemical composition, physical and mechanical property