Nanjing to remove poplars to curb troublesome catkins

Nanjing, Jiangsu province, is planning to remove most of its 10,000 poplar trees to reduce the number of catkins, or flower pods, which can be a major irritation in springtime.

The poplars will be replaced with other varieties that are easier to manage, the city government said.

Qi Peiwen, an official at the Nanjing gardening and greening bureau, said it will take about three years to remove all the poplars across the city, including in the downtown area and along freeways.