Balsam Poplar
Populus balsamifera
Salicaceae · broadleaf deciduous tree · native
Last updated
Data Maturity Structured
This profile synthesizes data from multiple published sources. Expert field review is in progress.
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 23, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 1434.4 to 1592.7 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 23, 2026| Station | GDD₃₂ | Current Stage | Next | To Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issaquah / East King | 1,593 | 'Leaf emergence' | 'Bud break' | 2,054 |
| Seattle / UW | 1,554 | Pre-season | 'Leaf emergence' | 32 |
| Kent / Auburn | 1,537 | Pre-season | 'Leaf emergence' | 49 |
| Olympia / Tumwater | 1,505 | Pre-season | 'Leaf emergence' | 82 |
| Bellingham / Whatcom | 1,483 | Pre-season | 'Leaf emergence' | 103 |
| Tacoma / Puyallup | 1,472 | Pre-season | 'Leaf emergence' | 114 |
| Sequim / Rain Shadow | 1,434 | Pre-season | 'Leaf emergence' | 152 |
| Stage | GDD32 | Typical Window |
|---|---|---|
| ○ 'Leaf emergence' BBCH '11' NEXT | 1586 | '' est. Apr 27 (forecast) |
| '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 23, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through May 10, 2026, then climate normals.
Diseases (18)
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 spp. (Valsa spp., Leucostoma spp.) Cytospora Canker [VERIFY] Ink Spot Sooty-bark Canker Rhizobium radiobacter (formerly Agrobacterium tumefaciens) Crown Gall abiotic (drought, heat stress) or bacterial (Xylella fast... Leaf Scorch Multiple obligate biotrophic fungi (Erysiphales: Erysipha... Powdery Mildew 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