Populus plant named ‘NextGen’

Abstract

The invention is a new and distinct variety of male Populus tree named ‘NextGen’ that is characterized by its superior to above average field growth performance, its excellent to above average rooting rate, its disease resistance to foliar rusts ( Melampsora sp.), leaf spots ( Marssonina sp.) and stem cankers ( Septoria sp.), its vigorous vegetative growth and production in nursery stoolbeds, its cold hardiness for overwintering and surviving in Minnesota with no frost damage, its wide-spread superior growth performance in many test locations (ie: MN, MI, WI, IA, IN, NY, etc); able to be considered “geo-robust” after years of testing, its replicated growth testing and evidence of promising performance and evaluation in phytoremediation research testing and applications, and its male flowers that do not produce seeds.

It is claimed: 
     
       1. A new and distinct variety of  Populus  tree named ‘NextGen’ as described and illustrated herein.