Bareroot Populus 'Balsam Spire'

A slender, fast growing tree with a distinctive columnar shape, perfect for adding vertical interest to gardens where space is limited. The glossy, heart shaped leaves release a sweet, resinous fragrance when young, filling the air with their fresh balsam scent each spring. Unlike broader spreading poplars, this narrow form grows upwards with minimal side branching, making it ideal as a natural screen or windbreak in urban and rural settings. The foliage turns a bright golden yellow in autumn before falling, while the smooth grey bark provides subtle winter texture. Exceptionally hardy and tolerant of wet soils, it thrives in challenging conditions where its rapid growth and elegant form create instant impact in new landscapes.

Family of Trees: Salicaceae

Habit: Deciduous Tree, Columnar

Growth Rate: 60-90 cm/year

Optimal Temperature: 5-25°C, hardy to -40°C

Harmful if Eaten?: Non-toxic

Flowers or Berries: Catkins

Hardiness: H7 (Extremely Hardy)

Hardiness ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

○ H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
○ H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
○ H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
○ H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
○ H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
○ H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
○ H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
○ H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
○ H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)