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Balsam Poplar
Balsam Poplar botanical plate
Field guide plate · click to zoom

Balsam Poplar

Populus balsamifera
In the United States: Native · also called balsam poplar, tacamahac, bam

Balsam poplar provides critical early-season pollen for honeybees emerging from winter, with peak bloom in April-May; it also yields bud resin that bees collect for propolis production. While nectar is minimal due to wind-pollination, the abundant pollen supports brood rearing in spring. Fast-growing but short-lived, it can spread via suckers and is prone to cankers in some areas.

Nectarlow
Pollenhigh
Bloom (US) April–May
Hardiness zones1-6
Duration~1 week
TypePerennial
Sunfull

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