Balsam Poplar vs Black Cottonwood - TreeTime.ca

Balsam Poplar vs Black Cottonwood

Populus trichocarpa

Populus balsamifera

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Black Cottonwood
Balsam Poplar

Black Cottonwood is the largest and tallest of the North American poplars. Named after its white, fluffy seeds with cottony hairs, this hardy tree produces sticky, fragrant buds and has a straight growth habit. Black Cottonwood needs ample moisture and nutrients to grow successfully to full height and are found in the Western provinces and the Yukon with BC being its heartland.

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.

Black Cottonwood Quick Facts

Balsam Poplar Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 2a
Height: 30 m (100 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: yes
Fuzz/fluff: see description
Catkins: yes
Catkins: yes
Fall colour: golden yellow
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Maintenance: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: medium


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


Other Names: balsam cottonwood, california poplar, western balsam poplar
Other Names: bam, bamtree, eastern balsam poplar, hackmatack, tacamahac