Populus balsamifera

RHS Plant Profile

balsam poplar

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Other common names

balm of Gilead, eastern balsam poplar, hackmatack, tacamahac

Synonyms

Populus tacamahaca

Trees

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A fast-growing deciduous tree, to around 30m high, with a columnar habit, sticky, balsam-scented buds and broadly oval, glossy deep green leaves with whitish undersides. Slender, hanging catkins are produced in spring

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: 4-8 metres
Max Height: Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H7

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Salicaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright
Genus: Populus are deciduous trees, mostly very fast-growing and large, with male and female catkins on separate trees, opening before the leaves. Male catkins are the more ornamental, female ones can be a nuisance from the cottony, wind-blown seeds
Name Status: Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained, humus-rich, fertile soils but avoid planting in vicinity of buildings due to vigorous root systems; it has potential to become a nuisance if not managed well. Useful as a screen or as part of a shelter belt

Propagation

Propagate by hardwood cuttings in winter, or by removing suckers in autumn or late winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural

Pruning

pruning group 1 in summer to avoid bleeding from pruning cuts. Established trees need little pruning, except sucker removal in autumn or winter

Pests

May be susceptible to leaf beetles, sawflies and caterpillars

Diseases

May be susceptible to silver leaf, bacterial canker, tree rusts and honey fungus