Balsam poplar
Populus balsamifera · Salicaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around balsam poplar and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- Spring (catkins)
- Adult size
- 49 to 98 feet tall × 26 to 39 feet wide
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (-40 °C)
- Origin
- North America (wetlands)
- Soil type
- Moist, well-drained, tolerates clay
Care
Sunlight
Balsam poplar prefers full sun exposure for harmonious development. It tolerates partial shade but grows less vigorously there. Choose a location with at least 6 hours of direct daily light.
Watering
Water regularly during the growing season, especially the first year after planting. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. In dry climates, increase watering frequency; poplars appreciate proximity to water.
Soil
Balsam poplar thrives in rich, moist, well-drained soil. It tolerates clay and moderate acidity. Improve the planting soil with compost or potting mix to encourage rooting.
Pruning
Prune in winter or early spring. Remove dead, broken, or crossing branches. Balance the silhouette to maintain a nice structure. Avoid severe pruning, which weakens the tree.
Fertilizing
An annual application of well-decomposed compost at the base is usually sufficient. Enrich the soil in spring to support rapid growth. Poor soils benefit from balanced fertilizer diluted in watering at the start of the season.
Diseases and pests
Balsam poplar can be susceptible to rust, cankers, and certain wood-boring insects under stressful conditions. Maintain good hygiene by removing diseased branches. Favor well-ventilated plantings and avoid stagnant moisture.
Did you know?
Balsam poplar owes its common name to the spring buds that produce a highly fragrant balsamic resin, once used in traditional medicine. These amber buds exhale a warm, spicy fragrance at snowmelt, explaining the enthusiasm of indigenous peoples for its supposed beneficial properties.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- AspenPopulus tremula
- Goat willowSalix caprea
- Grey willowSalix cinerea
- White willowSalix alba
- Eared willowSalix aurita
- Creeping willowSalix repens
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.