Italian Poplar "Teletopcia" - Nature Monument

The Italian poplar growing at the junction of Piastowska and Tysiąclecia streets in Radomsko bears the name "Teletopcia" and has held the status of nature monument since 29 October 2019 – as the first Italian poplar in Poland with such a distinction. The tree has a trunk circumference of 293 centimetres and grows in residential buildings in the south-eastern part of the city.

The origin of the name Teletopcia

The tree's name derives from a Polish Telecommunications building that formerly stood nearby. The poplar was planted in 1968, during construction of the surrounding residential estates – before the apartment blocks next to which it now grows had been built.

Seven years of efforts to secure protection

A dendrologist named Ernest Rudnicki led the campaign to have the poplar added to the nature monuments register for seven years. Earlier attempts had been rejected in 2012 and 2017. Only in 2019 did the starostwo [district office] issue a positive opinion, and on 29 October of that year the councillors of Radomsko City Council unanimously granted the tree nature monument status – the tenth such designation in the city.

Male specimen and crucifix on the trunk

Teletopcia is a male specimen, which means the tree does not produce the troublesome seed fluff that poplars are known for in spring. A crucifix bearing an image of Christ is mounted on the south side of the trunk, which gives the tree additional significance for residents of the surrounding estates.

Tree maintenance

In spring 2017, before the tree was granted nature monument status, the poplar underwent maintenance treatments: sanitary pruning and mycorrhizal inoculation with the addition of humic acids and mineral fertilisers. Radomsko has ten nature monuments among its trees, including the horse chestnut "Abiturient" on Armii Krajowej street.

Practical information

• Address: junction of Piastowska and Tysiąclecia streets, 97-500 Radomsko, near the former Polish Telecommunications building.
• Access: residential estate in the south-eastern part of Radomsko; open-air site accessible without time restrictions.
• What to expect: a single, tall tree surrounded by residential buildings, with a nature monument plaque and a crucifix on the trunk.