Populus balsamifera

Balsam poplar is in the willow or Salicaceae family and is the northernmost American hardwood, growing transcontinentally on boreal and montane upland and flood plain sites over much of Canada and Alaska. Its range overlaps that of trembling aspen (P. tremuloides) but it is not a highly recognized species in the forest and agriculture industries.

• Leaves are alternate, simple, finely serrated, 7–15 cm long, shiny dark green above, paler below, having a long petiole with glands at the base. They quite strongly resemble the leaves of black cottonwood (P. trichocarpa), although the species are not related.
• Species is dioecious. Male and female flowers form pendulous catkins up to 5 cm long, with females developing dry capsules containing numerous seeds. The capsules rupture in the late spring, sending fluff airborne to disperse the seed.
• Branches are moderately stout, with long (up to 2 cm), brown and resinous pointed buds.
• Bark is faded greenish yellow, with black patches and black horizontal marks like in P. tremuloides.