Balsam Poplar vs Yellow Birch - TreeTime.ca

Balsam Poplar vs Yellow Birch

Betula alleghaniensis

Populus balsamifera

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

SOLD OUT

Yellow Birch
Balsam Poplar

Yellow Birch is a large and valuable hardwood species in northeastern North America. The bark on its limbs and young trunks is silvery-yellowish in colour, hence the name. This tree prefers to grow in cool regions with damp or saturated soil.

Yellow Birch can be tapped for syrup, like Sugar Maple. Although the sap has less sugar content, it flows in greater quantity than maple trees.

Note: Unfortunately this difficult to grow species is not currently scheduled to grow at TreeTime.ca. Perhaps try purchasing seed from SeedTime.ca and growing your own? Or sign up for a restock notification above.

Balsam Poplar is a hardy, fast-growing deciduous tree that is Native to Canada east of the Rockies.

We grow them in two variations. Sometimes they are a male clones, so they don't produce fluff. Other times, we grow them from seed, which will result in fluff. The detailed descriptions (see below) will tell you which is which.

Yellow Birch Quick Facts

Balsam Poplar Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 2a
Height: 18 m (60 ft)
Height: 25 m (82 ft)
Spread: 11 m (35 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Fuzz/fluff: see description
Catkins: yes
Catkins: yes
Fall colour: bright yellow
Fall colour: golden yellow
Bark: shiny yellow to grey silver peels in curly strips, becomes reddish brown when older
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Suckering: low
Suckering: medium


In row spacing: 2.4 - 3 m (8 - 10 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)


Other Names: golden birch
Other Names: bam, bamtree, eastern balsam poplar, hackmatack, tacamahac