This hardy, fast-growing deciduous tree grows 60 to 90 feet or taller with a straight trunk and narrow, open crown. The large, pointed buds, one of balsam poplar’s most distinctive features, break out into glossy, green leaves that turn yellow in fall. The buds sometimes emit a red resin that releases the distinctive balsam fragrance. Balsam poplar, which is an endangered species in Ohio, does well in colder climates and moist to wet soils with at least six hours of direct sun. The large root system and suckering habit render this member of the Willow family more suitable for mixed-tree plantings and restoration projects than for urban plantings near sidewalks, septic tanks, and other structures. Balsam poplar is a powerhouse in wildlife value, hosting 237 species of Lepidoptera larvae.
 
Populus balsamifera, with its fragrant foliage, are similar to Populus X gileadensis, or Balm-of-Gilead. The ovate leaves of P. balsamifera have a pale, metallic luster on the underside while the cordate-ovate leaves of P. X gileadensis are pubescent beneath.  
 
Native habitats include including wet woods, riverbanks, sandbars, bog and swamp margins, and shores.
 
Plant Characteristics:
Grows 60-90' tall and 25-40' wide.
 
Needs at least 6 hours of sun.
 
Prefers moist to wet, sandy or loamy soils that are slightly acidic.
 
Catkins bloom April-May. Small, inconspicuous flowers are greenish yellow and in long, hanging clusters. ​Seeds mature May-June and are wind dispersed by cottony tufts of hair. 
 
Ovate-shaped leaves are 3-6” long with pointed tips and finely serrated margins. Upper side is glossy and dark green, while underside is white with rusty-colored veins. Leaves are fragrant when crushed.
 
Bark is relatively smooth when young, becoming gray with tight, vertical, furrowed ridges as tree matures.
 
Wildlife Value:
Plant host for 237 species of Lepidoptera larvae, including green marvel, question mark, laurel sphinx, and white furcula.
 
Resources:
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/plants-trees/flowering-plants/balsam-poplar
 
University of Minnesota
https://trees.umn.edu/balsam-poplar-populus-balsamifera
 
 
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