Poplar, Balsam
Populus balsamifera
Salicaceae - Willow
Description
Leaves: Alternate; simple; ovate to lanceolate; 3" to 6" long, 2" to 4" wide; deciduous; pointed tip; rounded base; finely serrate margin; dark green above, paler beneath; petiole round, slender, long.
Twigs/buds: Twigs yellowish to reddish-brown when young, turning dark orange to gray when older; round, thick. Buds reddish-brown; large, pointed, round, fragrant, sticky; terminal buds 1" long; 5-scaled with hairless margins.
Flowers/fruit: Flowers dioecious; yellowish-green male catkins; occur in early spring. Fruit is a hairless capsule; large (1/4" to 1/3" long), rounded, egg-shaped; parting into two when mature; arranged in catkins; seeds light brown, small.
Bark: Pinkish, pale green, or greenish-brown initially, becoming gray-black and deeply furrowed and ridged with time.
Wood: Important; light-colored, light-weight, diffuse-porous, even-textured; used to produce lumber, veneer, particle board, plywood, pallets, crates, boxes, and pulp; similar to P. trichocarpa.
General: Some sources show this as native to extreme northeast Utah (confused with black cottonwood?); at any rate uncommon.
Landscape Use: Not planted and no cultivars available. Zones 2-5.
Comments & Limitations: Weak wood and/or branch structure. Prefers abundant water.
Characteristics
General
Family | Salicaceae - Willow |
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Cultivar Availability | No |
Hardiness Zone | 2-5 |
Type | Broadleaf |
Utah Native | Yes |
Growth
Growth Rate | High |
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Mature Height | High |
Longevity | Medium |
Is Good Under Power Lines | No |
Crown Shapes | Oval |
Ornamental
Bark | No |
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Fall Color | No |
Flowers | No |
Foliage | No |
Fruit | No |
Tolerance
Shade | Low |
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Salt | High |
Drought | Low |
Poor Drainage | Medium |
Alkalinity | High |
Transplanting | High |