Balsam Poplar
Populus balsamifera
Salicaceae · broadleaf deciduous tree · native
Last updated
Data Coverage 4 of 6 dimensions
Quick Facts
Height
130 ft
Spread
26 ft
Growth Rate
Fast
Light
Full Sun
Soil
Wet Tolerant
Water
High
Hardiness
Zone Zones 1a–8b
Origin
North America
Phenological Calendar
As of April 3, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 1070 to 1180.6 GDD₃₂. Balsam Poplar typically reaches 'leaf emergence' at 1586 GDD₃₂, predicted around Apr 27.
Regional Season Tracker
GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of Apr 3, 2026| Station | GDD₃₂ | Current Stage | Next | To Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issaquah / East King | 1,181 | Pre-season | 'Leaf emergence' | 405 |
| Seattle / UW | 1,171 | Pre-season | 'Leaf emergence' | 415 |
| Kent / Auburn | 1,111 | Pre-season | 'Leaf emergence' | 475 |
| Olympia / Tumwater | 1,106 | Pre-season | 'Leaf emergence' | 480 |
| Bellingham / Whatcom | 1,101 | Pre-season | 'Leaf emergence' | 485 |
| Tacoma / Puyallup | 1,075 | Pre-season | 'Leaf emergence' | 511 |
| Sequim / Rain Shadow | 1,070 | Pre-season | 'Leaf emergence' | 516 |
| Stage | GDD32 | Typical Window |
|---|---|---|
| ○ 'Leaf emergence' BBCH '11' NEXT | 1586 | '' est. Apr 27 (avg) |
| 'Bud break' BBCH '07' | 3647 | '' est. Jul 13 (avg) |
GDD = Growing Degree Days (base 32°F, Jan 1 start). Why base 32? GDD₃₂ thresholds from USA National Phenology Network citizen science observations (WA+OR). Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of Apr 3, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through Apr 19, 2026, then climate normals.
Diseases (18)
Marssonina spp. Marssonina Leaf Spot Uredinales (rust fungi) Leaf Rust Taphrina spp. Leaf Blister [VERIFY] Leaf and Shoot Blight Symptom category — not a single disease Canker Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae Bacterial Blight Armillaria ostoyae Armillaria Root Rot Daldinia concentrica Aspen Trunk Rot Ceratocystis fimbriata (black canker); Cytospora notastro... Black Canker (Target Canker) Cryptosphaeria punctata Cryptosphaeria Canker (Snake Canker) Cytospora canker Cytospora Canker [VERIFY] Ink Spot Cryptostroma corticale Sooty-bark Canker Rhizobium radiobacter (formerly Agrobacterium tumefaciens) Crown Gall abiotic (drought, heat stress) or bacterial (Xylella fast... Leaf Scorch Podosphaera aphanis var. aphanis Powdery Mildew Septoria spp. Septoria Leaf Spot and Canker Sclerotinia spp. White Mottled Rot
Pests (14)
Malacosoma spp. Tent caterpillar Leucoma salicis Satin moth Various (Coleoptera, Lepidoptera) Borer Pemphigus populitransversus Poplar Petiole Gall Aphids Lepidosaphes ulmi Oystershell scale Prionoxystus robiniae Carpenterworm Phyllonorycter apparella Aspen leaf blotch miner Euhexomyza schineri Poplar twiggall fly Aphidoidea Aphid Acanthococcus azaleae Azalea bark scale Hyphantria cunea Fall webworm Edwardsiana rosae Rose leafhopper Various (Gracillariidae, Agromyzidae) Leaf blotchminer Pemphigus bursarius Lettuce root aphid