Balsam Poplar

Scientific name

Populus balsamifera

Description

The Balsam Poplar is a large tree that can grow up to 25 m in height and 50 cm in diameter. The leaves are broad and ovate in shape, with a drawn-out leaf tip. They have rounded bases that sometimes contain warty glands and an upper side that is dark green. The underside of the leaf is mostly hairless and silvery green in colour. The margins are finely toothed with numerous short rounded ridges which lead down to the petiole, or leaf stalk, which is hairy, green, and approximately 7-10 cm. Pollinator catkins grow to be about 7-10 cm while the seed catkins can get to be 6-7 cm. The twigs are reddish-brown and become dark orange and eventually turn gray with age, while the bark is greenish-brown when young, and gray when the tree is mature. The tree itself may reproduce via seed dispersal, root suckers, stump sprouts, and buried branches.

Planting conditions

The Balsam Poplar prefers full sun to partially shaded areas and soils with high moisture levels. It is most often found in river valleys and is frequently planted in rural areas for shelter belts and windbreaks.

Details

• Plant height:
  • Any
  • Over 3m
• Moisture level:
  • Normal
  • Moist
  • Wet
  • Flood Tolerant
• Light conditions:
  • Full sun
  • Partial sun
• Soil type:
  • Sandy
  • Loamy
• pH:
  • Normal
• Depth:
  • Potted
  • Bareroot
• Eco Zone:
  • 1a
  • 1b
  • 2a
  • 2b
  • 3a
  • 3b
  • 4a
  • 4b
  • 5a
  • 5b
  • 6a
• Plant type:
  • Tree
• Height:
  • 25m