Populus balsamifera
Balsam poplar · also Eastern balsam-poplar, Tacamahac poplar, Bamtree
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Populus balsamifera is a fast-growing deciduous tree native to northern North America, known for its fragrant, resinous buds and lance-shaped leaves. It thrives in riparian habitats with consistent moisture and tolerates cold, poorly drained soils. Urban planners should note its extensive root suckering and relatively short lifespan.
Where it grows
Trees in each city's inventory, with the share of that city's named trees this species accounts for.
- 5,3201.1%—12 in
- 2,0920.40%—3.5 in
- 1,1050.34%—6.3 in
- 7100.06%—5.1 in
- 4720.30%14 yr7.5 in
- 3500.78%9.8 yr5.9 in
- 2880.09%2.2 yr6.7 in
- 1950.04%62 yr19 in
- 1460.42%—26 in
- 1370.87%—28 in
- 1270.05%—5.9 in
- 1170.04%—3.9 in
- 970.13%—9.8 in
- 510.01%—14 in
- 470.06%—15 in
- 340.01%35 yr7.5 in
- 210.03%—5.5 in
- 110.00%67 yr18 in
- 40.03%—14 in
- 30.03%—15 in
- 30.01%—1.0 in
- 20.00%—5.9 in
- 10.00%—34 in
- 10.00%—10 in
- 10.00%——
Traits
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Mature height
- 50–90 ft
- Canopy spread
- 25 ft
- Lifespan
- 200 years
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Soil
- Poorly-drained
- Water needs
- Moderate
- Roots
- Invasive
- Wildlife value
- Moderate
- Blooms
- Apr, May
Trunk diameters across every city: median 8.7 in, mean 11 in, 90th percentile 22 in. Measured at breast height, as published by each inventory.
Native range
Terrestrial ecoregions where this species is native. Trees in the dataset mostly stand well outside it.
Temperate Conifer Forests
- Alberta-British Columbia foothills forests
- British Columbia coastal conifer forests
- Central British Columbia Mountain forests
- Colorado Rockies forests
- Northern Pacific Alaskan coastal forests
- Northern Rockies conifer forests
Temperate Broadleaf & Mixed Forests
- New England-Acadian forests
Other Populus in the catalogue
28 of the top 2,000 species are in this genus.
