Balsam Poplar
'Leaf emergence'Populus balsamifera
Salicaceae · broadleaf deciduous tree · native
Last updated
Plant Profile
Size & Form
Height
130 ft
Spread
26 ft
Growth Rate
Fast
Size at 20 yr
40 ft
Lifespan
Moderate
Site Requirements
Light
Full Sun
Soil Drainage
Wet Tolerant
Soil pH
5.5-8.0
Water
High
Drought Tolerance
Low
Hardiness
Zones 1a–8b
Ornamental Interest
Bloom Time
mid spring
Fall Color
Yes
Origin
North America
Watch for this season
Cytospora CankerHigh
Peak Spore Production and Dispersal
Powdery MildewHigh
Active Conidial Spread
AphidHigh
Peak Population & Dispersal
Fall webwormHigh
Larval Feeding & Web Building
+ 7 more — see full disease and pest lists below
Diseases: Regionally Documented (17)
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 spp. — primarily A 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 spp. (Valsa spp., Leucostoma spp.) Cytospora Canker [VERIFY] Ink Spot Sooty-bark Canker Rhizobium radiobacter (formerly Agrobacterium tumefaciens) Crown Gall Multiple obligate biotrophic fungi (Erysiphales: Erysipha... Powdery Mildew Septoria Leaf Spot and Canker Sclerotinia spp. White Mottled Rot
Pests: Regionally Documented (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
Phenological Calendar
As of June 3, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 2435.5 to 2672.8 GDD₃₂. Balsam Poplar has reached 'leaf emergence' (1586 GDD₃₂) and is approaching 'bud break', predicted around Jul 8.
Regional Season Tracker
GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of Jun 3, 2026| Station | GDD₃₂ | Current Stage | Next | To Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issaquah / East King | 2,673 | 'Leaf emergence' | 'Bud break' | 974 |
| Kent / Auburn | 2,665 | 'Leaf emergence' | 'Bud break' | 982 |
| Seattle / UW | 2,610 | 'Leaf emergence' | 'Bud break' | 1,037 |
| Olympia / Tumwater | 2,570 | 'Leaf emergence' | 'Bud break' | 1,078 |
| Tacoma / Puyallup | 2,535 | 'Leaf emergence' | 'Bud break' | 1,112 |
| Bellingham / Whatcom | 2,533 | 'Leaf emergence' | 'Bud break' | 1,114 |
| Sequim / Rain Shadow | 2,436 | 'Leaf emergence' | 'Bud break' | 1,212 |
View full calendar (2 stages)
| Stage | GDD32 | Typical Window |
|---|---|---|
| ● 'Leaf emergence' BBCH '11' NOW | 1586 | '' |
| ○ 'Bud break' BBCH '07' NEXT | 3647 | '' est. Jul 8 (avg) |
Source: 'NPN citizen science observations (WA+OR), n=17, median. services.usanpn.org' About GDD₃₂ →
Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of Jun 3, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through Jun 19, 2026, then climate normals.
Data Maturity Structured Multiple sources. Expert review underway.