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Balsam Poplar, Balm of Gilead

Scientific Name: Populus balsamifera L.
Synonym: Populus candicans, Populus michauxii, Populus tacamahaca
Family: Salicaceae

Populus balsamifera, Lynden Gerdes. USDA NRCS. 1995. Northeast wetland flora: Field office guide to plant species. Northeast National Technical Center, Chester, PA. Courtesy of USDA NRCS Wetland Science Institute.

Recommended Temperature Zone:
Sunset®: All zones
USDA: 3-10

Heat Tolerance: A good species for the lower deserts, if water use is not a concern

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Origin: Northern and central North America

Growth Habits: Deciduous tree, 40 to 60 feet tall (12-18 m) or more, 20 to 30 feet spread (6-9 m); bark on young tree is green, becoming grey, furrowed, as the tree ages; triangular leaves, 4.4 to 6 inches long (11-15 cm), 3 to 4 inches wide (7.5-10 cm)

Watering Needs: Regular deep watering

Propagation: Cuttings, abundant suckers

Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 1: 588.

The species epithet "balsamifera" comes from the Latin for "balsam bearing", because of its sticky, resinous, and strongly aromatic buds. The resin of the buds has been used medicinally.
Populus × brayshawii is a hybrid of Populus angustifolia × Populus balsamifera

Blooming Habits:
Dioecious. The male trees bear smaller catkins, than the female trees.

List of All the Plants | More in the Salicaceae family

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