Named for the sweet, fresh, woody balsam fragrance released when its sticky buds unfurl in spring. Sometimes called Eastern Balsam Poplar, only to avoid confusion with Western Balsam Poplar. Present in Britain by 1692, so a neophyte in Britain and Ireland.

Native across all of Canada and much of northern USA, growing in boreal and montane regions, usually in sheltered floodplains. Today it is found sporadically across lowland areas in north-west Europe, but never frequent.

Dioecious. Fast-growing but relatively short-lived (200 years). Wind-pollinated, wind-dispersed seeds, but very commonly propagating by suckering.

Moderately tall (35m), erect, with ascending branches. Twigs smooth; winter buds long (2cm), pointed and sticky with yellow resin. Leaves broadly ovate or slightly heart-shaped, with almost smooth margins, long drawn-out tips and pale undersides. Male catkins 6-8cm, pendulous; female 10-12cm, yellow-red, producing fluffy white seeds in two segments. Compare with Western Balsam Poplar.

The species has never thrived in north-west Europe, and most planted trees are hybrids with other species. A hybrid with Western Balsam Poplar, ‘Balsam Spire’, was once commonly planted in Britain and Ireland for screening or biomass, but proved too vulnerable to bacterial canker and other threats.

No notable associations where introduced.

This species is particularly vulnerable to a rust disease caused by a fungus known as melampsora or poplar leaf rust.

The sticky buds of ‘Tacamahaca’ were once harvested for medicine by indigenous people, the name often used generally for several related North American poplars. As an ornamental, its main appeal is the wonderful aroma it releases in spring.