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BLACK COTTONWOOD (Populus trichocarpa)
BALSAM POPLAR (Populus balsamifera)
Other names: cottonwood, tacamahac, poplar,
balm-of-gilead, balm, bam

POOR

Black cottonwood is found from California to the Kenai in Alaska and east into Idaho and western Montana. Balsam poplar grows in the Great Lakes region, through Canada and all over the interior of Alaska. These trees are very similar in appearance and growth habits. They grow in wet or swampy lands. The black cottonwood is usually the first thing to grow on flooded areas or on gravel bars built up in rivers. They ooze a sticky and unpleasant smelling sap from the buds.

These trees are seldom found if they were marked during the original surveys. They disappear without a trace.. On the rare occasion that it is found the wood is deeply decayed. The wood is very soft, heavy with water and is spongy when dead. It decays within a year or two when on the ground. 

Do not use for a bearing tree except as a last resort. Bark scribe the younger trees with still smooth bark. Use a bark blaze, just deep enough to smooth for scribing on older trees. Alaska reports these trees more durable if "meat" scribed during the dormant season, then blaze to firm wood. In all cases painting is essential.