Balm-of-Gilead Poplar

Latin (group) name: Populus

Latin (specific) name: Populus Tacamahacca Var. Candicans (Aiton) Stout

Average max height: 75' to 100'

Average diameter: 24" to 40"

Official state tree: No

Category: American Woods The Hardwoods - Broadleafs

Wood Research

The Tree

Enter the general description of the subject tree here.

Common Names in Use

• Balm-Of-Gilead Poplar (lit.)
• Balm-Of-Gilead (Me., N.H., Vt., Mass., N. Dak., Minn., Wis., Mich., Ontario)
• Balsam (Mich., Md., cult.)
• Balsam Poplar (N.H., Nebr., Minn.)
• Cottonwood
• Hairy Balm-Of-Gilead
• Ontario Poplar (lit.)
• Poplar (Minn., Wis., Mich.)
• Tacamahac (Minn.)

Growth Range

The natural growth range of Balm-of-Gilead extends across the extreme northern section of the United States from Maine to western Idaho, Wyoming and Colorado, and a small
section of central Iowa, the Lake States eastward to northern Pennsylvania.

The Wood

Balm-of-Gilead wood is light in weight, has a fine close grain, and is soft and not very strong. The sapwood is almost white while the heartwood is a light pale brown differing little in color and texture from other poplars. It warps badly in drying, but
is easily worked.

Uses

This wood is used in increasing quantity for paper pulp, boxes, fruit baskets, excelsior, toys, packing cases and rough lumber. This wood is not desirable for food containers because unlike the Aspen it is not free from taste or odor.