+
+
Populus balsamifera

Populus balsamifera

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

synonym Populus tacamahacca

Download PDF

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

Get to know Ebben Nurseries

Visit our nurseries with multi-stem trees, climbing trees, trees for avenues and parks characteristic trees and solitary shrubs.

Make an appointment

Place order or further information?

Order this plant? Or would you like further information about Populus balsamifera? Make an appointment for a detailed planting recommendation.
Call +31(0) 485 31 20 21 or email one of our advisors directly.
Our planting advisors

Photos

Magnify
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

Contact
Show filters Hide filters
Show comparison
View mood board
×
TreeEbb

TreeEbb

Geographic location
Winter hardiness zone
OK
Coastal area
OK
Use
Location
OK
Pavement
OK
Host plant/forage plant
OK
Planting concepts
OK
Types of planting
Tree types
OK
Multi-stemmed trees
OK
Crown structure
OK
Crown shape
OK
Topiary on stem
OK
Topiary
OK
Height
m
-
m
OK
Width
m
-
m
OK
Aspects
Wind
OK
Soil
OK
Nutrient level
OK
Soil moisture level
OK
Light requirements
OK
PH range
OK
Extreme environments
OK
Stage of succession
OK
Plant characteristics
Flowering period
January
-
December
OK
Flower colour
OK
Leaf colour
OK
Autumn colour
OK
Fruit colour
OK
Bark colour
OK
Special features
OK
Search
English
View mood board
Show comparison
Your selection:
Sluiten

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
EU Organic Products
Planet Proof
MVO-Nederland
ISO-9001
ISO-14001
CO²-presentatieladder
Boomfeestdag
NVTL

FIND OUT MORE

CONTACT

T +31 (0)485 31 20 21
F +31 (0)485 31 38 88
E info@ebben.nl

STEP INTO OUR GREEN WORLD!

Visit our 500-hectare nurseries and see our 1,400-m² roof garden.
Make an appointment

STAY UP TO DATE

Sign up for our newsletter
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SUBSCRIBING
© 2024  •  Boomkwekerij Ebben B.V.  •  Disclaimer  •  Privacy and cookie statement  •  Terms and conditions  •  Purchase conditions
STAY UP TO DATE
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SUBSCRIBING
×
Cookie settings

We use cookies when offering electronic services. A cookie is a small, simple file that is sent with the pages of this website and stored on the hard disk of your computer by your browser. This allows us to combine various requests for pages on the website and analyse users’ behaviour, for example. You can indicate which cookies you wish to accept using the settings below. Bear in mind that not accepting cookies will mean that part of the functionality of this website may not be available. You can find more information about the use of data and the various cookies in our privacy and cookie declaration.