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Populus balsamifera

Populus balsamifera

Balsam poplar, bam, bamtree, Eastern balsam-poplar, hackmatack, tacamahac poplar, tacamahaca

synonym Populus tacamahacca

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Description

Populus balsamifera (Bam tree, balsam poplar) originates in the North-eastern United States, Canada and Alaska. It is the eastern counterpart to Populus trichocarpa and the species grows as a pioneer, from river banks to the mountains, along with Acer rubrum, Alnus incana, Populus tremuloides, Picea glauca and Thuja canadensis. The fast-growing balsam poplar can reach heights of up to 30 metres in its original habitat, but in cultivation, it often reaches heights of 18 metres, with an oval, semi-open crown that is about 10 metres wide.

The Populus balsamifera’s main charm is its large, ovoid leaves that bud olive and fill the air with the fragrance of balsam. The liquid it produces is used by bees to make propolis. The leaves bud very early on in the season, which sometimes results in frost damage, but the tree will fully recover from this. In the summer, the leaves are a glossy dark green with an olive-green underside. Its autumn colour is yellow. The balsam poplar blooms in March-April, with hanging catkins that produce capsules that release a lot of cotton-like seeds. Young trees always have smooth, grey-green bark, and older trees have furrowed, dark-grey bark.

Populus balsamifera prefers moist to wet soil and even tolerates temporary flooding in winter. The soil should preferably be nutrient-rich, and the environment sunny and sheltered from the wind. With its decorative large leaves and strong balsam aroma, the large tree is perfect for planting in parks and large gardens. Despite it being a pioneer species, there are balsam poplars known to be 200 years old.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees woodland planting stock

Use

Location

park large garden cemetery countryside

Pavement

none none

Planting concepts

landscape planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

ovoid ovoid

Crown structure

semi-open semi-open

Height

18 - 20 m

Width

8 - 10 m

Winter hardiness zone

3A - 7B

Aspects

Wind

intolerant to wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay peaty light clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

dry moist wet very wet

Light requirements

sun

pH range

acidic neutral

Host plant/forage plant

bees

Extreme environments

tolerant to short-term flooding

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Photos

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high-stem standard tree
Populus balsamifera standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Populus balsamifera standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Populus balsamifera standard tree
leaves leaves
Populus balsamifera leaves
leaves leaves
Populus balsamifera leaves
leaves leaves
Populus balsamifera leaves
leaves leaves
Populus balsamifera leaves
leaves leaves
Populus balsamifera leaves
leaves leaves
Populus balsamifera leaves
leaves leaves
Populus balsamifera leaves
leaves leaves
Populus balsamifera leaves
leaves leaves
Populus balsamifera leaves
leaves leaves
Populus balsamifera leaves
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Populus balsamifera autumn leaves
bark bark
Populus balsamifera bark
bark bark
Populus balsamifera bark
bark bark
Populus balsamifera bark
twigs twigs
Populus balsamifera twigs

Flowers

Flowers

catkins pendulous

Flower colour

green

Flowering period

March - April

Leaves

Leaf colour

dark green buds grey-green underside grey-green

Leaves

deciduous ovate cordate big polished scented serrate

Autumn colour

yellow

Fruits

Fruit colour

white

Fruits

pappuses capsules

Bark

Bark colour

grey

Bark

furrowed

Twigs

Twig colour

red-brown

Twigs

bare with lenticels

Root system

Root system

deep shallow extensive coarse roots

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

Winter hardiness map
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MVO-Nederland
ISO-9001
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British Asssociation of Landscape Industries

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