balsam poplar

Populus balsamifera

The balsam poplar is a tall tree with smooth, greenish bark and big, heart-shaped leaves. It grows near rivers and likes wet places. The tree smells sweet, especially in spring!

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The balsam poplar is a tall tree with a straight trunk and a broadly conical crown. Its dark green, oval-shaped leaves have fine teeth and turn yellow in fall. The reddish-brown, sticky buds are distinctive, exuding a sweet, resinous scent.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderMalpighialesFamilySalicaceaeGenusPopulus

balsam poplar

Interesting facts

Balsam poplars can grow up to six feet in a single year when young!

Indigenous peoples dried and ate the sweet, inner bark for energy.

Its sticky buds were once used to make a soothing balm for skin!

The wood is light but strong, often used for making crates and pulp.

Special abilities

Balsam poplar has resinous buds that protect new growth from pests and cold, and give off a unique scent.

It can quickly regrow from root sprouts after fire or logging, helping it recover in its habitat.

This tree can survive extremely cold winters, thriving in northern climates where other trees struggle.

Measurements & details

Height: 2000-4000 cm
Spread: 600-1200 cm
Flower Size: 5-15 cm
Bloom Season: Spring
Edible: Yes
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Wind

Ecological connections

eats

Moose

Alces alces

browses on twigs and leaves

parasitizes

Poplar Borer

Saperda calcarata

larvae tunnel into wood

eaten by

North American Beaver

Castor canadensis

fells trees for food and dam building

shelters

Yellow Warbler

Setophaga petechia

nests in its branches

Traits

Deciduous

Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.

Broadleaf Tree

Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.

Fragrant Flower

Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Rapid Growing

Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.

Timber

Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.